By STEPHANIE FARLEY

sfarley@gctelegram.com

The Finney County Economic Development Corp. is adding more spokes to its wheel, according to FCEDC Board Chairman Ron Schwartz, by bringing primary jobs to the county and examining other issues such as housing.

FCEDC's Board of Directors met Wednesday for the group's regular monthly meeting and annual retreat, discussing the area's housing shortage and possibly pursuing a piece of a quarter-cent sales tax up for grabs in the county as a permanent source of funding for the corporation.

Schwartz, along with board members Brett Crotts, Rich Harp, Mario Lopez and Doug Keller, approved FCEDC President Eric Depperschmidt moving forward with a housing study for the county to help provide better numbers to developers when they are looking to construct various types of housing in the area.

There's a housing crunch in the area, according to Depperschmidt and the board, and Depperschmidt is pursuing a study through RDG Planning and Design in Nebraska. He estimates the cost of the study at about $8,000, with the board approving FCEDC spending $5,000. Aquila/Black Hills Corp. is chipping in about $3,000.

The study would provide more specific numbers and an idea of what housing is needed in the county.

"There's nothing available," Harp said of housing, adding he believes working on the housing issue is part of helping economic development along for the area.

An expanded focus

Schwartz said Wednesday he thought the board's view has changed and broadened as far as what issues FCEDC handles with economic development.

He said he has been asked why there's a sign connecting the corporation to the arrival and construction of Sam's Club, and Schwartz said FCEDC is branching out in dealing with various aspects of economic development, including retail. He said the corporation was the initial contact for Sam's, and that while FCEDC isn't actively recruiting retail,it will try to help companies and businesses.

He said he thought Wednesday's retreat helped possibly "broaden our view a little bit" and make the board more aware of some of the needs in the community, such as the need for housing and other issues related to quality of life. Schwartz said the public's perception of economic development had been that all FCEDC does is offer incentives to recruit business.

But, Schwartz said, he feels that's changing, with the public recognizing FCEDC also helps businesses look at sites and learn more about land or available buildings.

Depperschmidt spoke to the board about retail businesses contacting FCEDC for help with looking at sites and providing other information about the area. Schwartz said that companies by that point in time have done a lot of their research, searching Web sites and other information about various communities.

"Luckily, for us, that seems to be economic development," Schwartz said of where the companies and businesses are going to for information.

Permanent funding source

Depperschmidt asked board members whether they wanted FCEDC to consider recruiting retail. At this point in time, FCEDC's main goal has been recruiting and retaining primary jobs in the area. The idea of a primary job, he said, is one that is not only above the average wage in a community but that also creates a skilled position that, in turn, creates a product or service that can be used both in and outside the community.

Depperschmidt said FCEDC not actively recruiting retail falls in line with the strategic plan the corporation follows, which states that the creation of primary jobs will create more spending in the community and attract more retail businesses without the corporation having to actively pursue retail.

"We're doing good things, don't get me wrong," Keller said of retail contacting FCEDC for help.

But, Keller added, he felt FCEDC's main goal should stay with creating primary jobs, and also finding a permanent source of funding for the corporation, which saw its 2009 budget request from the county cut to $120,000 from an estimated budget of $124,254 in 2009, a cut of about 4 percent.

"I envision that coming down more in the future," Harp said.

Keller said he definitely feels there's a need for FCEDC to pursue a permanent source of funding. Now, it is funded through its partners of the county, Garden City Community College, city of Garden City and city of Holcomb.

The Finney County Commission has discussed pursuing a quarter-cent sales tax to fund capital improvements and major repairs and maintenance of county property. Keller said Wednesday he'd like for FCEDC to have a piece of that tax, which would help fund the corporation.

The FCEDC board also agreed to speak further with USD 457 Superintendent Rick Atha on the district's plans for the bond issue and explaining the issue to the public.