Nearly four months into the process, Allen County commissioners promised Tuesday they would decide the fate of five applicants for economic development funding by next week.
What that will be may be a mixed bag. Commissioners mentioned they might offer less than was sought or propose interest-free loans instead of grants.
Those seeking assistance are Marmaton Market, a community cooperative that means to buy and operate Stubs Market in Moran, $100,000; Mildred Store, $20,000 for upgrades to the facility; Regional Technology Center, $100,000 to help start a wind farm technician course; Pregnancy Resource Center, $75,000 to make repairs and fund its mission; Bollings Meat Market, $190,000 to fund part of the cost of refitting Millers on Madison.
Each was given time Tuesday morning to make a case for their proposals.
Regena Lance, Mildred, former educator, allowed that if you choose one, it should be the tech center to train the workforce. It would have a huge (economic) impact.
Lance criticized the committees makeup. It should represent all of the county not a member represents the east side of the county and it didnt have much diversity, all members being middle-aged white males.
AFTER FIRST asking participants to give the commissioners time to consider their requests, Commissioner Jerry Daniels noted we can think about lower amounts or loans.
John Brocker, in his second opportunity to speak as a commissioner, said he had made of point of surveying a number of people men and women, young and old, a diverse group and I didnt find a one that thought we ought to be doing this, handing out grants to businesses and nonprofits. Also, he said, if we give it to one, how can we deny another? I think were opening a can of worms.
Everyone brings up G&W, which the county handed $180,000 when the company expressed grave concerns about construction costs. But, we were going to have to spend a lot on development with or without G&W on the old hospital grounds, including a parking lot for the medical arts building. What did your new lot (just north of the courthouse) cost, he asked Sheriff Bryan Murphy; $70,000, Murphy responded, referring to repaving a parking lot.
Commission Chairman Tom Williams concluded by recommending each of the five had their application fees reimbursed, which met unanimous approval.
