Burnett County Development Association
November 2, 2005
Minutes

Members Present: Rick Anderson, Chuck Melberg, John Richards, Ed Peterson, Kelly Hibbs, Chuck Govin, Ted Gerber.

Members Absent: Dick Hartmann, Norm Bickford, Derek Zeiler, Stan Peer, Mark Crowl.

Others Present: Mike Kornmann, Bill Lehman, John Stroschine. (Marleen Seul, recorder)

CALL TO ORDER:

Meeting was called to order by Ted Gerber at 11:00 am in the Conference Room at the Pour House located in Siren, WI.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Motion to approve the October 4, 2005 minutes made by Ed Peterson; seconded by Chuck Govin. Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF TREASURERS REPORT:

Treasurer's Report presented by Michael Kornmann. Motion to accept Treasurer's Report as presented made by John Richards; seconded by Chuck Govin. Motion carried.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE APPROVALS:

None presented.

NORTHWEST REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT:

John Stroschine circulated information on the LOIS system and noted having a "gate keeper" avoids duplication. Currently, a person at NWRPC is the "gate keeper." The information on the LOIS system will be available for a fee of $250.00, which would go directly to LOIS. BCDA has already paid the fee of $250.00, so it was decided to contact local realtors to inform them of the service. A list of realty offices will be provided to Ted Gerber and he will contact the offices.

Stroschine stated he would like to set the schedule for visits to businesses and start the visits the following week. Stroschine also informed the Committee that he has an application he is working on and gave committee members updates on the enterprise projects.

RURAL REVOLVING LOAN FUND STEERING COMMITTEE UPDATE:

Rick Anderson gave a background on how the revolving loan fund came about (because of the federalization of the dollar). The decision that needs to be made by the County is whether or not to have funds remain as they are or go with a regional loan fund.

John Stroschine explained the process the Department of Commerce requires to de-federalize loan fund dollars. Currently, businesses that apply for the funds must meet certain criteria in order for the funds to be loaned out. Once the criteria is met and the funds are loaned out and repaid, the dollars are de-federalized, which makes future utilization of those funds more flexible. The initial loan funds, at present, are being under utilized. Northwest Regional Planning Commission has suggested the County go with a Regional plan. It is the BCDA's mission to do research and make a recommendation to the County Board as to whether or not it would be in the County's best interest to go with the regional loan fund or have the funds remain at the county level. The goal is to have a decision before April. The steering committee will put together a manual to be presented to the County Board and the County Board makes the final decision.

WORK & PLAY CAMPAIGN UPDATE:

Michael Kornmann reported he contacted Forward Wisconsin to get a business listing for the Work & Play Campaign and was given the online site of Info USA to obtain the list. Eight hundred fifty seven leads are on the list given for the coordinates queried. Cost for this list is $349.95.

Motion made by Rick Anderson to authorize obtaining the list; seconded by Kelly Hibbs. Motion carried.

BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION:

Michael Kornmann reported the competition started out with seven participants. Two participants dropped out; four out of five are expected to submit business plans. December 1 is the deadline. The target date for the awards ceremony is January.

GENERAL BUDGET DISCUSSION & 2006 PROJECTS:

It was noted some things have been cut in the 2006 budget and the County wants BCDA to continue with a line item budget. It was decided the $3500.00 for projected revenue for 2006 needs to be changed because it was monies to be had from individual memberships of BCDA.

John Richards made a suggestion that another non-profit organization be formed that would be tied in with BCDA that those funds go to. Michael Kornmann stated grant applications are available and would the committee want to apply. Chuck Govin and Kornmann will look into it.

It was decided to submit the budget as is.

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion made by Ted Gerber to adjourn meeting; seconded by Rick Anderson. Meeting adjourned at 1:02 p.m.