|
 The Logan County Board's Executive/Economic Development Committee
called a special meeting for that group to attend as a whole.
Last month, the Logan County Board and the Lincoln and Logan County
Development Partnership each opted out of the formation of a joint
unified organization that is being joined by the Lincoln and Logan
County Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Lincoln, Logan County
Tourism Bureau, and the city of Lincoln.
Both groups would like to find new ways to contribute to the
county’s economy.
Bob Pharis of the Development Partnership started the meeting by
thanking Bill Thomas, the interim director of the Partnership for
providing lunch.
Pharis then informed anyone who did not already know that Logan
County and the Partnership voted not to join the UOC.
“It was a very good idea that was brought up. Hire one director for
the five groups, and it certainly made a lot of sense,” said Pharis.
Pharis said that the groups hired a facilitator twice to answer
their questions on how to proceed. “The biggest thing I had against
it was when they put in the Chamber,” said Pharis, who was not sure
the Chamber would mix well due to tax funds. The formation would mix
taxing bodies (governments) with a non-government funded group, the
Chamber.
Pharis said that any effort made by the county to improve the
economy needs to involve the entire county, "We need the whole
community. I'm talking about Latham. I'm talking about San Jose. I'm
talking about Beason." He commented that here are seventeen
townships, some that are not part of a village or any town. “When I
talk county, I’m talking everybody,” said Pharis.
“I feel the county board needs to be a check and balance. You
[addressing county board members] are a board that represents the
entire community,” he said.
Pharis said that Thomas has agreed to stay on for the rest of the
current year, and he is confident that Thomas will stay for the near
future.
Thomas explained that there are programs in place that can help the
smaller townships in Logan County because of their inclusion in a
Regional Economic Development District. Logan County's Comprehensive
Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is a joint effort with five
counties.
CEDS is a plan to strengthen or create infrastructure that would
enhance or attract economic growth for an area. Having a project in
a CEDS plan aids toward the possibility of acquiring federal grants
and assistance.
The city of Lincoln and Logan County governments both contributed
$3500 toward the annual fees for the county's CEDS this year.
“If you want to stand a chance to get any federal assistance for any
major projects, the federal government looks upon regional
organization more favorably these days than it does on localized
organization,” said Thomas. Thomas added that a township can apply
directly for federal aide, but it is more difficult without the
assistance of a CEDS group. “There is tremendous competition for
these monies.”
Thomas said in the last eighteen months, Logan County, because of
its participation in CEDS, has been part of the Supply Chain
Project. This project was a federal project that allowed consultants
to work with local manufacturers in an effort to encourage local
networking between the companies. Logan County also received a grant
to conduct six business retention visits, which allowed for
businesses in the county to receive free consultations on retention
strategies.
Thomas said that in October, the document that is utilized for
determining which projects can apply for aide will be revised, and
Thomas welcomes input from the smaller townships in making those
revisions.
 Thomas said that in addition to CEDS, he personally has
some experience with writing grants, and can network with other
people who can be experts on behalf of the county. He did also
caution that getting grants through CEDS is a slim chance. But there
are other benefits to participation.
Chuck Ruben said that the county joined a CEDS group after Sysco
came to Logan County, as they were advised by state representatives
that being part of such a group would have made acquiring the land
much easier.
David Hepler asked what the Partnership's budget looks like for this
year?
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Thomas said that funding for this year, which came from the
County Board, the city of Lincoln, business contributions and
fundraisers, totals at $100,000. The future budget is under
review and there are lots of cuts being looked at, including
possibly moving to another office.
Next year, the city of Lincoln has $81,000 budgeted for all
economic interests. $60,000 is budgeted for the combined
organization leaving $21,000 for other economic support purposes
such as CEDS and Regional Planning Commission.
Thomas also reiterated that economic development takes time and
a commitment. “There are good ideas in the Master Plan, and it
takes time, commitment, and a lot of hard work that some people
don’t understand in terms of networking and reaching out to
folks to get things accomplished,” said Thomas. “It boils down
to a group of people who are willing to sit down and do
something,” he said.
“I’m going to critique the current EDP board that we have and
say that it’s not active enough,” said Thomas. “Members of a
board need to work and be responsible.”
Gene Rohlfs asked if any of the communities in Logan County have
made any movements towards economic development since the UOC
discussions began. Thomas said that the city of Atlanta voted on
Wednesday night to create an economic development commission
focusing on the town. “We needed a group of people paying
attention to economic development, and any city that wants to
can set up its own commission. I would love to talk to any other
town that wants to look at our ordinance and see if it would
work for them,” said Thomas.
Doug Muck, a member of the Partnership board, said that he
envisioned the role of the EDP to function as a facilitator. “We
want to assist the various entities in the county to help them
be successful,” said Muck. “I do not see us as being competitive
in any way, merely to be facilitators and to have someone like
Bill to point us to the right people. In other words, we are a
resource.”
Jim Fuhrer said that the town of Mount Pulaski is getting ready
to begin discussing similar ideas, but there is a concern over
funding and a tight budget. “That’s the predicament we’re in,”
said Fuhrer.
Alderwoman Cathy Horn said she hopes the city of Lincoln would
still wish to become part of any new economic venture created in
the future. Horn added that the Chamber is recognized by outside
groups and businesses, which may help to bring new businesses
into the picture. “People that don’t have their home offices
here; ours [Kroger’s] is in Indiana, and they recognize the
Chamber of Commerce. That’s one of the reasons I went along with
it,” said Horn.
“It’s going to take financial support from everyone, and I
realize that money is tight,” said Pharis. Pharis said that
there will be some money left at the end of the current fiscal
year, and the Partnership needs to determine how much money the
other entities and townships can provide for any new economic
venture.
“This is something everybody needs to be involved in,” said
Pharis. “The idea of having this meeting was to bring people in
so they can see what is happening and what has been done. It’s
going to take some serious dollars to do this.”
Pharis reiterated that he wants to see everyone in the county
working together. “I know there is a split right now, but I’m
hoping we can keep the Partnership board together, and keep the
County Board working towards economic development and draw
everybody in, including Lincoln, down the road,” said Pharis.
“Some of the biggest projects can affect the smallest
communities,” added Hepler.
Pharis said that townships in unincorporated areas that are not
represented by a community could benefit by participation. He
would particularly like to see some of the township road
commissioners join the group. Many of those areas such as
Prairie Creek, Corwin and Laenna Townships, and the village of
Latham, Chestnut, Beason and Emden were represented at the
meeting and expressed possible future interest.
[By DEREK HURLEYm with contributions
by JAN YOUNGQUIST] |
