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FCEDC OKs ATV park agreement
Published 4/18/2008 in News : Area coverage
By STEPHANIE FARLEY
sfarley@gctelegram.com
After discussion on liability concerning Syracuse Sand Dunes recreation park, the Finney County Economic Development Corp. Board of Directors on Thursday approved an agreement that could help the park with grant funding.
The board previously discussed the agreement at its March 20 meeting, with FCEDC President Eric Depperschmidt explaining that Wheatland Electric requested assistance from FCEDC to help with a conservation easement deed for the park. Under the agreement, the corporation would become the grantee of the easement as a nonprofit organization to help the park with possible grant funding through Kansas Wildlife and Parks.
Under the agreement, ownership of the property wouldn't change hands, but board members had expressed concern about whether FCEDC would be liable for the property. That concern came before the April 6 death of Shynia Randles, 13, of Ulysses, from injuries she sustained in an accident at the park.
FCEDC Chairman Ron Schwartz asked about a possible connection to Randles' death, or other accidents that might occur at the park. Depperschmidt had previously passed Wheatland's request on to attorney Ward Loyd for review. Depperschmidt said it didn't appear from Loyd's review that FCEDC would have liability concerning the park.
The board unanimously approved the agreement, with Schwartz saying it was at no cost to FCEDC and something that could greatly help Syracuse and Hamilton County, as well as Finney County.
Schwartz said the agreement wasn't something FCEDC normally would get involved in as far as economic development, adding he and the board were glad to help the town and possibly benefit some Garden City area ATV and other equipment dealers.
In other business:
n Depperschmidt updated the board on Prospect "1-07," a food processing company that's estimated to employ about 400 workers. Depperschmidt told the board he knew he kept saying they were getting closer to a decision on the company's part to locate in Finney County.
Depperschmidt said the prospect doesn't have questions, at this point, on the incentive package on the table. He said he and others involved in trying to bring the prospect to the area were doing their best to convince the prospect to come to southwest Kansas.
Finney County is competing with Colorado for the prospect -- the two sites were narrowed from several states, including Texas and Oklahoma.
Another prospect, "2-08," is in the telecommunications industry and considering roughly four to five communities in the state, possibly bringing with it 40 to 50 jobs. Depperschmidt said the Kansas Department of Commerce is funneling information and questions to FCEDC regarding the prospect considering the county as a site.
Depperschmidt believes the building that formerly housed El Mercado grocery store, 1309 N. Taylor Ave., would be a good location for the prospect. He said FCEDC still is helping gather basic demographic information for the prospect.
n FCEDC is looking at the housing issue in Finney County, with Depperschmidt saying he doesn't feel construction of individual homes will pick up without certain projects moving forward that are currently on hold, such as the possible plant expansion proposed by Sunflower Electric Power Corp. But there's a need for multi-family housing in the county, including Holcomb, he said.
n Liz Sosa, FCEDC director of business retention, said the corporation is working with five existing businesses -- three of which are existing businesses in the county looking to expand and two outside the county looking to bring business to the county. Together, the businesses represent about 11 to 12 jobs that stand to be created.
Found 1 comment(s)!
Shynia Randles my BFF
Shynia was my best friend, she loved riding 4-wheelers. Why didn't the retards at that place at least put up 1way signs because if you had she'd be here! But no you had to leave it alone and not be cosiderate of other peoples lives .You know what you people are just retarded. If you had just been a little more considerate I wouldn't wake up every morning and go I could have done something. You've ruind so many peoples life, but do you care no. Just think what if that had been your children riding there wouldn't you make them put up 1way signs? But you can't do that for my best friend .Just remember every 6 or 9 you could have changed it but no you were to pig headed
Posted by: Jessica on 2/12/2009
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