Business Prospects
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. The analysis is nearly complete. After we receive some utility estimates from the City of Seneca, we can complete the analysis and begin the public hearing/review process for the tax abatement.

Mark Compton of Compton Hardware in Horton contacted me regarding financing and other options for expanding his business through additional inventory and job creation. I explained many government programs including the Kansas Enterprise Zone. Mark Compton contacted the Brown-Atchison Electric Cooperative about the Rural Business Enterprise Loan from USDA Rural Development. Mark and I recently began work on a business plan for his expansion.

Krogmann Manufacturing is considering an expansion. I discussed many financing alternatives and tax credits. I will continue to assist Krogmann as plans progress.

Local Government Relations
In the past, the City of Hamlin contacted Galen Lay of Bartlett and West Engineers regarding a new sewer system. On July 12, I met with Mr. Lay and the City of Hamlin. The city council was very enthused about restarting the project. On Thursday, July 27, they city will hold a public meeting to determine the mood of the entire city. In the meantime, Galen Lay will conduct a short feasibility study to determine if Hamlin has the appropriate resources to continue with such a project.

I continue to work with the City of Everest to develop a senior housing complex. We are formulating the project with the intent of submitting an application to KDOC&H by February 2001. We hope to use a combination of Housing Tax Credits and Federal HOME loans as a Community Development Housing Organization (CHDO) to fund the project. I spoke with Bradley Reiff, CHDO Program Manager for KDOC&H. For an organization to be CHDO, they must be independent of the governing body and at least 1/3 of its membership must live in low-income neighborhoods. These structure requirements could complicate Everest’s CHDO certification efforts.

I also spoke with Mick Keating, a Marshall County Commissioner. He is interested in RDA services and questioned whether RDA could apply for an ADA grant for the Marshall County Courthouse. On July 3, I met with the Marshall County Commission in Marysville. After considerable discussion of RDA services, the commission voted to authorize a grant writing fee payable to RDA contingent upon the completion of an ADA grant. The commission also instructed me to prepare a proposal outlining the benefits of RDA presence in Marshall County. Much of Marshall County’s acceptance of a plan from RDA will be contingent upon the results of the sales tax referendum in the primary election. Keating explained that public acceptance is mixed regarding a potential tax increase for economic development purposes. At this time, the prospects of a long-term development deal are unclear. In the meantime, I have met with Jim Getty of Facility Consultants, Inc. Kansas City, MO. Mr. Getty will prepare the preliminary architectural report for the project. I also met with Richard Kyle, former mayor and current councilperson for the City of Marysville.

Recently, John King contacted RDA to inform us of a street project in the City of Waterville. The city is seeking assistance with an application for a preliminary engineering and construction engineering grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT).

Brown County also approached RDA about the possibility of RDA performing some of the oversight and compliance functions of the 22^nd Judicial District Juvenile Justice Programs. The new duties would require at least 20 additional hours of RDA staff time. The duties would include staff contacts, contacting state officials, and keeping the local commissions apprised of current situations. The role could be expanded to include grant work as well. On July 18, the RDA Board of Directors approved a motion to allow the Executive Director to discuss details of the project with Brown County; and to attempt to reach a consensus on the role and duties that RDA should perform in this new venture.

Miscellaneous
Nancy Wessel and John Russell, Goff, had questions on business recruitment. I explained some of our efforts and invited her to ask questions. She stopped in the RDA office. Nancy explained that she is part of a PRIDE group organized to improve Goff. I met with the City of Goff on July 5.

On June 26 – 30, I attended The Grantsmanship Center training in Wichita. There I began work on a CDBG sewer grant application for the City of Reserve.

I attended the joint meeting of the Northeast Kansas Resource Council and representatives from the Kickapoo Nation regarding a potential mass transportation system in Brown County.

Respectfully submitted,

Scott M. Huizenga
Executive Director