Members Present: Stan Peer, Mark Crowl, John Richards, Ed Peterson, Ted Gerber

Members Absent: Dick Hartman, Derek Zeiler, Steve Zelinski, Rick Anderson, Chuck Melberg, Kelly Hibbs, Chuck Govin,

Others Present: Michael Kornmann, John Strochine, Chet Newman, Bill Lehman

CALL TO ORDER:
Meeting called to order by Ted Gerber at 3:04 p.m. at the Burnett County Government Center - Room 165 on March 2, 2005.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion made by Peer, seconded by Crowl to approve the minutes of the February 2, 2005 meeting. Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS:
Motion by Gerber, seconded by Peterson to approve one voucher for Superior Days totaling $1,000.
Motion carried.

NORTHWEST REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT
Strochine said that he is signed up to attend training for LOIS this month. Kornmann commented that he has added the LOIS site to the BCDA web page and entered one record to give people a sense of how it works. With things progressing promotion of the site can be done over the next couple of months and in the news letter.

Strochine also provided the board with a draft informational survey to use as part of the business retention program. The goal would be to survey manufacturers before meeting with them face to face. The discussion included what questions should be asked and what businesses to visit. The board will narrow down the questions by the next meeting or forward comments to John Strochine via email.

Strochine said that the MVP loans have closed with Ring Leaf Farm purchasing 123 cows. Kleiss gears will use conventional financing for its equipment purchasing. The Grantsburg Enterprise businesses are expanding with many businesses in the area investing in capital.

DEVELOP THE 2005 CEDS PLAN
Kornmann noted the annual update is needed for the comprehensive economic development strategy plan. Lehman commented on the need to focus on more common economic development projects. Gerber said that more time should be allocated to go over the list. Gerber said that members interested in the plan will meet on March 23rd at 7 a.m. at the Main Street Café in Siren.

UPDATE ON ITBEC BROCHURE
Kornmann passed out the proposal from NWRPC to ITBEC. The brochure would promote the economic assets of northwest Wisconsin. The board reviewed the proposal.

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
This item is postponed until the April meeting.

SYMPOSIUM PROGRAM
The board discussed topics of interest for the symposium. Interest was identified in Dr. Nichol's economic presentation, health care including health savings accounts, and possibly taxes. The consensus was that a half day was too long. Discussion continued and will be brought up again at the April meeting

NEWSLETTER
Kornmann presented some ideas for the spring newsletter and asked for comments from the board. The board said he is going in the right direction.

BUSINESS LISTING
Kornmann said the list has hit a snag in Madison, however some other avenues could be explored to obtain a list. The board by consensus was fine having the business listing posted on the web as a pdf file and no hard copy printed. The directory can be promoted through the newsletter and a media release.

LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Kornmann handed out draft brochures for the two county leadership program. He said marketing would start soon. The number of Polk versus Burnett residents still needs to be discussed. The goal is to have 16 students with tuition at about $400. BCDA has money for scholarships. The board will have to decide how much it wants to spend. There is enough money to fund eight scholarships at $200 a piece.

Motion to adjourn by Peer, second by Richards. Motion Carried.

Respectively Submitted,

Ted Gerber, Acting Secretary