With Don Richards absent Monday, Kiowa County Commissioners Gene West and Earl Liggett agreed with Jeanette Siemens’ request for $20,000 of County funds to serve as seed money for a first year operating budget for a county economic development office, including salary for the yet-to-be-selected director of the department.
Siemens, County Economic Development Director until next June, asked for and received a commitment for the same amount from the City of Greensburg at its council meeting Monday evening. She also plans to seek a $10,000 donation from the Kiowa County Chamber of Commerce for a first year administrative budget of $50,000.
In addition to the $50,000 being sought from within Kiowa County, Siemens said she’s applied for a $100,000 grant from Network Kansas for the department, and has already sold $85,000 worth of $100,000 in tax credits available. She said plans for those funds, if received, would include low interest loans and grants for businesses starting up in the county. Other grant money is being sought to establish a revolving loan fund to likewise help county business concerns.
“I can see nothing but great things that can happen from this program,” Mayor Bob Dixson said after council agreed to the City’s share of the funds.
“I think this is something we need to do,” Commission Chair Gene West said earlier in the day. “I’m not sure where the money’s coming from, but we can find it.”
Liggett agreed, saying, “If Greensburg fails, the county fails.”
“That’s true, but this is for the whole county,” West added.
Both the County and City gave approval to the members Siemens suggested for the Economic Development Board, which include Tom Corns, Rick Sherer, Monica Hayes, Sue Greenleaf and Elmer Davis.
Siemens also requested and received from both the City and County a resolution seeking and encouraging the drawing of formal plans for the freeway version of US 54 from Pratt to Mullinville, and through Greensburg
In other matters…
nKendal Lothman of the long-term recovery office said he’d talked to MVP about bids on the remodeling of the Greensburg Fire Station going being let after October 14. He also mentioned work on the new show barn at the county fairgrounds proceeding under the efforts of a Hays construction firm. Wet weather the first weekend of September prevented New York Says Thanks Foundation volunteers from completing the project.
Lothman also said the sheriff’s offices would be moved across the street on October 20-21 and when asked by USDA’s Dave Barber, West said it was his understanding drawings for the new Media Center are currently being developed by MVP, with his hope bids for that project would go out no later than February, with completion of the facility by May of 2010.
What to do with the Belvidere Schoolhouse, heavily damaged by last summer’s hailstorm, was another concern raised by Lothman. With only $11,000 of insurance money to cover the damaged roof and windows, Lothman said early estimates of repairing the damage run around $76,000 if the “same type of roof is put back,” prompting him to suggest “a regular metal roof” be used instead to lower the expense. He agreed to seek an alternative estimate with the less expensive roofing material.
nRoad and Bridge Superintendent Doyle Conrad told commissioners a surplus 1995 Ford pickup donated to his department by the State following the tornado needed to be replaced. Conrad was given permission to inspect a Chevy pickup with 150,000 miles currently at Norton the State is willing to sell for $3,400.
Asked about the track hoe the County is currently leasing to buy at $5,500 a month, Conrad said he felt it important to have that piece of equipment on hand for big jobs, prompting West to disclose the City of Greensburg’s willingness to share the expense for the right to use it occasionally.
“How about the County owning it and then leasing it to them when they need it?” Conrad asked.
“I’m open to that, but why don’t you talk to the City about this and come back to the next meeting with what you think we can work out with them,” West replied.
Greensburg, KS —
