Business Prospects
I spoke with Martin Mishler, an attorney from Sabetha, regarding a long running tax abatement application from Triple C Manufacturing. After originally applying for the abatement in 1997, the State Board of Tax Appeals issued its final ruling in October. The tax abatement was approved and Triple C will receive a tax rebate for 10 years beginning in 1997.

I spoke with a business in Horton that is interested in finding funds for a non-profit tourist attraction and historical travel show. I will provide consulting services on a fee basis for the business to develop a business plan. RDA will also research government and non-profit financing opportunities. Another related client is hoping to open a tourism/outdoors facility in the Sabetha area.

Three different groups in Sabetha are hoping to build entertainment/recreation facilities. I am hoping to merge two groups into one as they have similar goals.

I have relayed information regarding the proposed CDBG Microloan grants to several different businesses in both counties. There seems to be great interest in the program..

A client from Wetmore is hoping to place a stake in a non-local business and place it locally. RDA is working to develop a business plan and feasibility study based upon the current market for the product as well as any expansion possibilities.

In light of the approval of the Midwest Ag Services, LLC tax abatement, RDA has received numerous contacts from businesses regarding the processes for tax abatements and neighborhood revitalization.

Local Government Relations
I met Glen Rodden, the new City Administrator for the City of Seneca. After discussing RDA service and programs, Rodden agreed to discuss the Koch & Co. tax abatement with the council and bring the issue to resolution soon.

I met with the city clerk of Robinson regarding the Housing Rehabilitation revolving loan fund that was originally established with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. They have not had a certified CDBG administrator since the city closed out the original grant. I am now reviewing all of the work completed on the grant to this point. When finished I will recommend a procedure to the city council to reopen the fund. RDA will act as administrator for the fund.

I attended another meeting with of the Seneca Land Use Task Force. Jeff White, public works director for the City of Topeka, acted as facilitator for the meeting. Jeff lead the group through a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) Analysis of the city. Each committee member is now assigned to a group of two or three members. Each group is responsible for "defending" one of the five options for using the 114-acre tract in the northwestern portion of Seneca. The final categories include: a new swimming pool, a new recreation/fitness center, affordable housing, industrial development, and a new golf course. I offered RDA services to any group that wishes technical/advisory assistance. I emphasized RDA expertise in housing and industrial development – two areas in which RDA is currently working. RDA provided information regarding available funding mechanisms to a few groups.

Mike Clowe from the City of Wetmore invited me to the November meeting of the Northeast Kansas Board of Realtors. We discussed the housing situation in Wetmore and steps that we can take to promote the whole area. The two issues that the realtors cited most frequently when referring to lack of housing development in the area were lack of quality employment opportunities and close proximity of our location to metropolitan areas. Quality of life issues were also raised as positive aspects that rural areas must do more to promote.

I discussed with the City of Hamlin the Neighborhood Revitalization program renewal for Brown County. They will hold a public hearing on December 12, after which it is expected that the city council will approve the resolutions to enter into the program with Brown County.

I met with officials from USDA Rural Development in Lawrence to discuss their rental housing programs. Specifically, I spoke about available options for the Everest Housing Authority project currently under development. I also spoke with Tim Rogers, Rural Development Specialist, about the sewer systems projects that are being developed throughout Brown County. Tim mentioned that he has notified state USDA officials that Brown and Atchison Counties should be considered a priority, as they are among the final counties to implement new EPA regulations.

I scheduled a meeting with Larry Carnahan from USDA for Tuesday, November 28. Larry will discuss the Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants (REDLG) program. I have arranged with Larry to meet three local businesspersons interested in the program

Miscellaneous
I attended the Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development (HFED) annual meeting on Thursday, October 19.

I attended the regular meeting of the Northeast Kansas Coalition for Economic Development (NEKCRED) meeting on October 26. NEKCRED, of which RDA is a member, is planning to focus its efforts on recruiting and developing value-added agriculture facilities to the area. We will begin by working with the 21^st Century Alliance to form a strategy to move forward in the value-added industry. The 21^st Century Alliance is a firm in Manhattan that assists with developing in marketing new agricultural products.

I spoke about RDA and grant writing at the Horton Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting on Thursday, November 2.

I attended a Kansas economic development tools seminar sponsored by the League of Kansas Municipalities. The seminar took place on November 10. Elected and non-elected officials from various municipalities were represented. The presenters described the political, legislative, and administrative procedures and ramifications of economic development tools such as tax abatements, industrial revenue bonds, tax increment financing, neighborhood revitalization, and certificates of participation.

Respectfully submitted,

Scott M. Huizenga
Executive Director