Susan NeuPoth Cadoret, from the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing (KDOC&H) informed RDA of a pharmaceuticals company from the Kansas City Metro area that is expanding into rural areas with small data entry operations. The company is looking for rural areas with available buildings and available labor pools. They are adding 5-10 jobs per location with each position paying $8-10 per hour. RDA has placed advertisements in most of the newspapers within Brown and Nemaha Counties to gauge the interest in these positions. If enough job seekers show interest in the positions, RDA will contact KDOC&H and eventually the company about locating in our area.

RDA has continued to meet with the Nemaha County Co-op regarding the feed mill venture with Midwest Ag Services, LLC. We are seeking out various funding mechanisms. The mill will decide on a final site soon. I also explained the benefits of the Kansas Enterprise Zone and how cost-benefit analysis of tax abatements is calculated should abatements be an issue for the co-op.

RDA is still working with Koch & Co. on the final stages of the tax abatement process. I have been in close contact with Thurman Miller, Nemaha County Appraiser, regarding the cost-benefit analysis. Thurman and I hope to work together to complete the computer analysis so that the analysis can be forwarded to the Kansas State Board of Tax Appeals.

I have met with a new regional business that hopes to locate a new processing facility in our region. The facility could cost as much as $15 million. The plant could bring initially as many as 75 jobs. I am meeting with local and county officials to put together a proposal/incentive package that could land the firm in Brown or Nemaha County.

I contacted a couple from Hiawatha with whom I spoke about a month ago. They are interested in opening a business just outside of the city limits. Other financial difficulties have temporarily set back the venture. I am continuing to provide information and answer questions for them.

I met with the Everest Housing Authority. They hope to construct a multi-unit senior citizen housing complex in the city. I have researched many potential sources of financing. I attended a KDOC&H housing grant workshop in Salina. I will report back to Everest with information from the workshop.

John King, an engineer with Cohorst and Associates in Marysville, contacted RDA regarding sewer system funding. The City of Summerfield in Marshall County needs a citywide upgrade of its sewer system. Cohorst, who has been retained by the City, is interested in funding sources for such a project. I referred Mr. King to KDOC&H and USDA Rural Development. I plan to contact Marshall County to inquire about any services RDA can provide to their county. Marshall County currently has no economic development organization.

I reviewed the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan for Brown and Nemaha Counties. The counties must complete a five-year review of the plan in 2001. RDA has processed the annual reviews. The five-year review is a more formal process with public hearings and a meeting of the full committee. RDA should be an integral part of the review.

The City of Reserve hopes to install a sewer system in the city. Because Reserve’s LMI (low-to-moderate income) level is eligible by 1990 census data, RDA will actively pursue a CDBG grant and possibly USDA Rural Development grants to incorporate a sewer system into Reserve.

The City of Willis hopes to have some street work completed. RDA will check into available funding for them. Willis has also requested that RDA check into condemnation proceedings for residents who do comply with sanitary/pollution ordinances.

I spoke at the Sabetha Kiwanis Club regarding the services that RDA delivers

I met with Nancy Petty, Director of the Hiawatha Chamber of Commerce, regarding the household survey as part of the Bi-County Strategic Plan. She seemed interested in working with RDA to develop and share the survey among her constituents.

Jonathan Wimer, Jackson County Economic Development Director, and I are working on the web site for the Northeast Kansas Coalition for Regional Economic Development (NEKCRED).

I took part in an interview conducted by Monica Coverdale of the Sabetha Herald. RDA has received a few positive calls as a result of the interview.