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 Mitchell County Economic Development Commission

508 State Street

Osage, Iowa 50461

                                                                       Minutes

4.23.2007

 

The Mitchell County Economic Development Commission met in regular session on Monday, April 23, 2007 in the MCEDC Board Room.  Dale Mooberry called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.  Members present: Harlan Bisbee, Roger Brumm, Terry Byrnes, Kelvin Palsic, Joel Voaklander, and Ivan Wold. Absent: Jim Cross and Bob Glassel Also present: Brenda Dryer

 

Approve Minutes from 3.26.2007

Voaklander made motion to approve the March minutes, Byrnes seconded, roll call vote taken all ayes.

 

Financial Reports – March 2007 / April expenses

Wold motioned to approve the financial report and bills as presented, Voeklander seconded, roll call vote taken all ayes.

April bills:

St. Ansgar State Bank – payroll taxes / $681.67

IPERS / $254.02

Ashley Martin / $400.80

Brenda Dryer / 2050.91

North Iowa Web sites / $200 (Welcome Center)

McCloud / $28.32

Bisbee Income Tax / $50.00

WCTA / $37.62 (Welcome Center)

OMU / $57.44

BevCom / $15.00

Brenda Dryer / $324.35 (expenses)

Iowa Department of Economic Development / $100

 

A copy of the reconciliation report for March 2007 can be found in the permanent secretary records for the MCEDC.

 

Staff Report

Business Expansion & Retention / Workforce Recruitment

bullet Current expansion projects continue to move forward for the most part on schedule. 
bullet 2007 Laborshed Study – letters have gone out to local employers, projected cost: $3300 (supporting funds to be sought from NIACC, Alliant, and Aquila), project expected to be complete August 2007.
bullet Mitchell County CEO meeting scheduled for April 23rd. Agenda includes presentation by USDA Rural Development on “Business & Industry” programs as well as a “Tech Prep” Roundtable; the school supts and one school board member from each district have confirmed their attendance.  Dryer to do a MCEDC update as well highlighting the Laborshed, housing study, jobs website, and newsletter project.

Entrepreneurship

bullet REBS project continues to move forward; equipment is ordered; work on facility retrofit has begun, production expected to begin in May. USDA Renewable Energy grant has been submitted on this project. 
bullet The hospital has been approached up assisting in the local match requirement for the Entrepreneurship Health Care pilot; awaiting final approval.  A request for matching funds has been made to Aquila.    
bullet Dryer reported that the SMART START classes were cancelled due to lack of participation numbers.  She has met with almost all of the participants that were signed up and work has begun on their business plans. 

 

Value Added Ag / Energy

bullet Dryer reported on progress of Absolute Energy LLC project.  Dryer still awaiting word on holding the May meeting at the Absolute offices.   
bullet Cedar River Wind project continues to move forward; pursuing the sale of the proposed “green” power. 
bullet Value Added Producer Grants with USDA are due 5.16.2007.  Absolute Energy LLC has plans to apply for funding support.

Regional Marketing

bullet The Alliance has recently wrapped up a two day sales trip to the Cities. 
bullet The Alliance collateral marketing piece is complete.
bullet The Alliance is discussing a “leave behind” of Fox River Mills socks and special paper clips.

Community Resource

bullet We are awaiting word on the USDA RBEG application seeking $99,000 in funding to support the establishment of another RLF for Mitchell County. Funding is expected to be tight.   
bullet Palsic and Dryer updated the group on Cedar River Fine Arts & Recreation Complex project and the Vision Iowa meeting and award.

Housing 

bullet Dryer reported on potential projects in St. Ansgar, Osage, and Riceville.
bullet The Board discussed the potential timing for the 2007 Housing Study.  Unless a potential Housing Fund application drives this project sooner – we will be targeting a completion date early in January 2008.

Organization Administration

bullet We received contributions OMU, Omnitel, City of Osage, and City of St. Ansgar this month. 
bullet The fundraising committee gave another report to the Board.  A fundraising packet will be assembled for review by our May meeting.  Fundraising efforts will be kicked off in June. 
bullet The Board will take action on amending their FY 2007 and FY 2008 budgets in May.
bullet Dryer reported that she has met with the Board of Supervisors regarding the office.

            Details of the WCDA grant were reviewed.  Motion by Wold, second by Brumm to     proceed with the purchase of technology equipment related to the MCEDC “WCDA”      grant award; roll call vote, all ayes. Motion by Palsic, second by Brumm to sell           surplus equipment for $200; roll call vote, all ayes.

bullet The publishing of the MCEDC proceedings was discussed; effective with this meeting we will begin printing a detailed listing of expenses.  This month’s proceedings will be published in the Riceville Recorder. 

    

bullet The FEMC Board of Directors will meet on May 4th.
bullet Staff hour report – Feb/March 2007:

                        Entrepreneurship – 15%

                        Community Resource – 20%

                        Organization Admin – 28%

                        Regional Mktg / Industrial Recruitment – 0%

                        RLF – 1%

                        Industrial Retention / Workforce Recruitment – 5%

                        Value Added – Energy – 9%

                        Housing – 7%

 

RLF

We have received re-payments from two of the three companies.  Two additional companies to start repayments in May; Dryer to send reminder letters out.

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm by Chair Mooberry.

 

                                               

______________________                            _____________________________

 

Dale Mooberry                                                                Brenda S. Dryer

MCEDC Chair                                                                 MCEDC Executive Director

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