Wind farm payments have finally been awarded to local schools via the county, with each district receiving $50,000.
Those receiving the awards on behalf of their various educational entities included Kevin Heisler, Humboldt school board; Kay Lewis, Humboldt superintendent; Stacey Fager, Iola superintendent; Dan Willis, Iola school board; and Kim Ensminger, Marmaton Valley superintendent.
Commissioner Jerry Daniels explained how in 2017, when Allen County entered into an agreement with Prairie Queen Wind Farm, part of the arrangement was that the wind farm would make some form of local donation/contribution.
The wind farm will continue to supply schools with funding for the next nine years.
Lisse Regehr, CEO of Thrive Allen County, got the go-ahead from commissioners to pursue a grant to build a walking trail at Allen County Regional Hospital.
She added that the goal also includes building trails near B&B Theaters and Allen Community College, then connecting the various segments together.
Regehr also mentioned the possibility of obtaining grant funds to build gardens at the hospital.
Upon the recommendation of Becky Voorhies, director of health programs at Thrive, commissioners awarded a $7,500 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to a local business.
Voorhies added that there should be enough funds to help one or two more local businesses that had been adversely affected by COVID-19.
Jonathon Goering, economic development director at Thrive, presented an overview of the past year’s achievements regarding local economic improvement.
Some of the highlights included the City of Humboldt joining the funding stream for Thrive’s economic development efforts; Peerless Industries and Green Cover Seed bringing their facilities to Iola; Russell Stover adding employees; B&W Trailer Hitches expanding its employee base (it will soon be the county’s top employer); Sonic Equipment’s COVID-based cleaning innovations; the opening of Murphy Tractor and Our Market in Humboldt; childcare improvements, and launching a transportation program and more.
Steve Strickler shared with commissioners that at 3 p.m. Wednesday (today), there will be a representative from Quincy Recycle at the recycling center in Iola to answer questions. (The recycling center is across from the John Deere dealership on the north end of Iola.)
He also said that in 2020, the recycling center processed 450,000 pounds of cardboard and 150,000 pounds of paper.
“We’re always looking for more volunteers,” Stickler noted. “My calves don’t know what I look like anymore.”
Chelsie Angleton, 911 director, appealed to commissioners to hire an additional dispatcher to help allay overtime costs and protect employee mental health.
Although they did not make a decision this week, it seemed commissioner David Lee spoke for the board when he said “you’ve got my support if we can find the dollars to do it.”
