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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEconomic, Tourism, Resource July 19, 2011ECONOMIC, RESOURCE AND TOURISM July 19, 2011 The Economic, Resource and Tourism Committee met on July 19, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. in Room 266 on Second Floor of the Administration Building pursuant to the last meeting of May 17, 2011. Members present: John Beinborn, Vince Loeffelholz, Carol Beals and Grant Loy. Ron Brisbois, Economic Development and Todd Johnson, Extension Comm. Resource Agent was present also. The meeting was called to order by Chair John Beinborn. The County Clerk verified that the meeting was in compliance with the open meeting laws, published in the Herald Independent and posted in two places. Vince Loeffelholz, seconded by Grant Loy, made a motion approve the agenda. Motion carried. Grant Loy, seconded by Vince Loeffelholz, made a motion to approve the minutes of May 17, 2011. Motion carried. CGI Website: Todd Johnson reported that there would only be one change in the script that will be produced in the CGI Website production. Todd wanted approval from the committee that the speech that will be read by the UW Platteville Chancellor was acceptable by the committee. Carol Beals, seconded by John Beinborn, made a motion to approve the speech to be read by the UW Platteville Chancellor in the CGI Website introduction. Motion carried. Review of the second half applications: A date of August 2, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. was set by the committee to review the second half of the grant applications. Todd Johnson handed out the packet of the criteria to be used in reviewing the applications, hopefully making the process much easier and faster than the process used in previous years. SW Wisconsin Sustainability Consortium: Amy Seeboth, SWWRPC, was present to give the committee a report on the Sustainability Consortium to receive their approval to present to the full County Board. Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission is putting together a Consortium of organizations from Southwestern Wisconsin to meet 2-3 times a year for three years to explore issues of economic, environmental and social sustainability in our region as part of a three year HUD/EPA/FHWA Grant. There are five counties involved in this consortium; SWWRPC would like a representative from each of these counties on the Advisory Group. The first year would be to compile the information, the second year goal is to put the data together and analyze, and the third year goal is to finalize the plan and recommend. Carol Beals, seconded by Vince Loeffelholz, made a motion to move to recommend the Memorandum of Understanding with Southwestern Wisconsin Sustainability Consortium for County Board Approval. Motion carried. Revolving Loan: Ron Brisbois, Economic Development, presented the Revolving Loan Application for a tentative Embroidery Business. Southwest Opportunity Center would like to purchase an area embroidery business that is for sale, retaining its current workforce. The business is financially sound and shows profits after 5 years in existence. The project will cost SOC $212,000 with $40,000 from our Revolving Loan Fund and $152,000 from the bank and $20,000 equity from SOC. The committee tabled this application at this time until more information is acquired later on in the process. Ron Brisbois also went over the information for the EMS-US Insulated Doors application There will be a public hearing held at the County Board Meeting at 6:00 p.m. on July 19, 2011 to address this loan. EMS-US is an insulated door company that is currently assembling components from Germany. They plan to expand and start manufacturing and assembly of insulted doors in Cuba City. The doors are stainless steel insulated doors used in the food storage and production as well as the pharmaceutical industries. Companies such as Nu-Pak, Shullsburg Cheese and Hormel have installed their doors, along the several cheese producers in Green County. EMS plans to move all manufacturing and stamping operations from Germany to this location. They are requesting $100,000.00 at a 3% rate, term of 10 years to purchase a building in Cuba City. They plan to create 30 new jobs. They are currently located in Dubuque, IA. EMS must meet their commitment to create and maintain 30 new jobs through the course of this loan in order for the loan to be approved, if they should fall short of this expectation the money will go back into the Revolving Loan Acct. Old/New Business: John Beinborn read a thank you note from Ruth Ann Summers, Grant County Historical Society for the grant money they received. They purchased an African- American made model for the Pleasant Ridge exhibit and a new outdoor sign which was installed at the Cunningham Museum. Ron Brisbois will be presenting the final draft of the new County map to the committee when he receives it. The County has helped in funding this project. Adjournment: Grant Loy, seconded by Carol Beals, made a motion to adjourn the meeting pursuant to the August 2, 2011 date. Motion carried.