Burnett County Development Association
June 1, 2005
Minutes

Members Present: Rick Anderson, Mark Crowl, John Richards, Chuck Melberg, Chuck Govin

Members Absent: Kelly Hibbs, Ed Peterson, Dick Hartmann, Derek Zeiler, Stan Peer

Others Present: Michael Kornmann, Bill Lehman, Todd Beckman (Sentinel)

CALL TO ORDER:
Meeting was called to order by Vice President Mark Crowl on June 1, 2005 at 11:10 am in the Conference Room at the Pour House located in Siren, WI.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion to approve the May 4, 2005 minutes with one change (Mark Crowl added to members absent) by Rick Anderson, second by John Richards. Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF TREASURERS REPORT
A Financial Report was provided by Michael Kornmann in the absence of a Treasurer. Not a lot of activity was noted.

APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS:
No vouchers were submitted.

WEB PAGE ACTIVITY REPORT:
Michael Kornmann noted he did not receive a Webpage Activity Report in time for today's meeting, but would forward it by email when it is received. The drop-in membership/sponsorship feature on the website was discussed and it was suggested that a rolling banner be tried on the home page to promote membership enrollment. The price to do this was thought to be only the cost of the time for Webpenguin to set it up. Michael Kornmann will get a price on the cost.

BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION PLANNING:
Michael Kornmann circulated a sample brochure on the business plan competition along with a list of things to consider. A number of ideas came out of a lot of discussion. A figure of $2500 was decided on for the amount of the award, and, upon implementation of the business plan, a loan with 0% interest in the amount of $10,000 split between two banks. These figures are geared toward small businesses. Award decisions would be based on the review of plans by three board members. The time line for getting the information out is July 15. Plans are to put an article in The Connection, do a direct mailing and posters.
Motion to approve the specs of the competition made by Ted Gerber; seconded by Chuck Melberg. Motion carried.

NORTHWEST REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT:

Retention Study:
A draft letter was circulated by John Stroschine and a list of 31 businesses. Plans are to make the letter more personal with a contact person for each business. Members were asked to get back to him with contact people for the businesses on the list. The questionnaire will be customized to suit services businesses rather than manufacturing.

LOIS
John Stroschine stated he needs to set up a presentation site and needs to work on what to put on it. Examples from other counties were shown to committee members. Stroschine stated he has one business so far to enter on the Siren page.

Stroschine also report he has talked to a couple of businesses regarding the Revolving Loan Fund.

FINANCE COMMITTEE - 2006 Budget
Ted Gerber reported on the findings of the Finance Committee meeting.

1. BDCA should have a project that is done and finished during (business plan competition) the year and also have a project that is more long term, such as:

· Technology connectivity study
· Building the health care sector

Short Term Issues:
Out of a $40,000 budget things listed that the County would pay for whether or not the BCDA existed left a remaining balance of approximately $10,000, out of which would have to be paid the their own insurance and money for a tax return.

Long Term Issues:

· Technology infra-structure of the county;
· Burnett is an aging county - people retire here, but do not stay when they start to need more medical help. Burnett County should look at more facilities to keep older population here.

A budget does not need to be submitted until August. It would be better to have less projects and put more in to them. The Finance Committee is looking for input from the Board regarding whether or not this is the avenue to pursue. The Committee will continue on the same course and put something together that is more concrete.

TECHNOLOGY PRESENTATION
Presentation was not given.

ADJOURNMENT:

Meeting adjourned at 12:42 by Ted Gerber.