Burnett County Development Association
September 1, 2004
Minutes

Members Present: Ted Gerber, Stan Peer, Derek Zeiler,
Steve Zelinski, Rick Anderson, Kelly Hibbs, John Richards (3:15pm)

Others Present: Michael Kornmann, John Strochine

Press: Chet Newman

CALL TO ORDER:
Meeting called to order by Steve Zelinski at 3:00 pm in Room 165 of the Burnett County Government Center on September 1, 2004.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion made by Gerber, seconded by Hibbs to approve the minutes of the August 4, 2004 meeting with the correction of "R and M Machining" referred to in the NWRPC report. Motion carried.

VOUCHERS:
No vouchers were submitted.

AGENDA ITEMS:

1. Superior Life Technology Zone Coordinator Appointment.
Kornmann reported that coordinator position rotates annually between the participating six counties. It is Burnett County's turn to take the position. The BCDA board has been requested to appoint someone to the position. Zelinski motioned to appoint Mike Kornmann, advisor to BCDA as the Superior Technology Zone Coordinator with the term to expire July 1, 2005; seconded by Anderson.
Motion carried unanimously.

2. Superior Life Technology Zone Tax Credits - Application by McNally Industries.
Kornmann explained how the technology zone works and its funding levels. He noted that the zone board allocated $500,000 to Burnett County to be allocated to businesses over a ten year period. The zone is currently in year three. There is also a limit per business of $250,000. The data prospect sheet submitted by McNally Industries shown an eligibility of $419,519.00. This number does not reflect zone allocation rules. Kornmann suggested the following three options:

(1) Recommend to the Department of Commerce that $250,000 of tax credits be awarded to McNally Industries
(2) Recommend to the Department of Commerce that $250,000 of tax credits be awarded to McNally Industries and request a special exception to the single business limit for an additional 169,000 in tax credits
(3) Recommend to the Department of Commerce that $250,000 of tax credits be awarded to McNally Industries and request a special exception to the single business limit for additional tax credits in the amount of "x" (pick a number)

The board discussed the benefits of recommending above the $250,000 and the balancing of the remaining credits for future applications. Richards motioned to recommend to the Superior Life Technology Zone Board to award McNally Industries $335,000, seconded by Gerber. Motion carried unanimously.

3. Northwest Regional Planning Commission Report.
John Strochine reported on his consulting work. He explained that Kleiss Gears is working on moving into the building in the Grantsburg Industrial Park. Their expansion will include six additional employees for a total of 12. Strochine reported that he is working with a plastics company on utilizing space in the Siren Enterprise Center. He also reported that in the near future he will be providing the BCDA board a report of the benefits of the CDBG program on the Burnett County Revolving Loan Fund. When asked if there were any new issues or initiatives the BCDA board of directors should be addressing, Strochine responded that there were none that he could think of.

4. Organizational Issues.
Kornmann reported that Andy Lewis with the UW-Extension Center for Community and Economic Development in Madison is willing to work with BCDA on its organizational issues. He is available on Monday, September 20, 2004. The board will beet with Lewis on this date in place of its October meeting.

5. Forward Wisconsin.
John Richards handed out a letter from Forward Wisconsin regarding their recruitment campaign coming up Oct.26-28, 2004. Richards commented that it is a really good project and someone should participate. Expenses will be covered by BCDA.

6. Adjournment.
A motion to adjourn was made by Peer and seconded by Hibbs. Motion carried. (4:10p.m.)