Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of the Directors
Solomon Valley Economic Development, Inc. (SVED)
January 17, 2019
A meeting of the Board of Directors of SVED was held at 12:30
o’clock p.m., on January 17, 2019.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT: Heather Hartman gave her monthly report.
Hartman reported that Shopko has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. She
reported our store is one of the more profitable stores in the area. Our
local Shopko has remained open when others are closing. Hopefully our store
stays open and the company reorganizes and it continues to be open. The
company originates from Wisconsin. Many of the stores closed in Kansas were
once Alco and Pamida stores before becoming Shopko stores.
Hartman informed the group that Beloit Motor Co. has sold to Charley and
Elaine Bowers from Concordia. They are waiting on the approval from GM to
assume the dealership. They have plans to remodel the show room, open the
body shop again and add the towing service to the existing business.
Charley and Elaine’s son is moving back to run the dealership.
Heather Hartman has had several inquiries this past month from young people
wanting to move back to the area. Many are interested in purchasing homes.
She has been letting them know about incentive programs available to them as
well.
Hartman informed the group that the City of Beloit housing program has two
applicants approved and two more applications submitted for consideration.
The Façade Improvement Program is currently available to businesses for
improvements made to store fronts. Grant funds range from $1000 to $5000 in
size. Currently there are 5 businesses participating in this program.
Heather reported the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development will host
a Department Commerce Economic Regional meeting at the NCK Tech on February
26th. Dan Steffen and James Foster from the Department of Commerce will be
there as well as Eric Burks, President of NCK Tech. KDOR will speak about
running legal lotteries and raffles in Kansas. Heather asked if SVED would
be interested in sponsoring rolls or snacks for the meeting. Gene Pestinger
made a motion SVED to be a sponsor and Larry White seconded the motion.
Hartman has been informed by Barrett Simon from the Kansas Research and
Extension is planning a Bull Sale in Beloit on March 26th and 27th. He is
planning on a day of vendors, speakers, reception dinner in the evening as
well as the sale itself. This will all be held at the Mitchell County
Fairgrounds.
Heather, Jason Rabe, Julia Rabe and Steve Krier are looking into a sound
system for downtown so music could be played.
TOURISM: Heather Hartman gave a brief report in the absence of Lucille
Heller and Kent Miller. She has been working with the chamber on the Little
Red School house being open on Memorial weekend and 4th of July. The
Mitchell County Convention and Tourism Group is planning on using funds in
2019 for new county signage.
SOLOMON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: Curt Frasier informed the members that
the $50,000 goal was met for November which allows a match of $75,000 from
Dane G. Hansen. Next grant applications are open until February 1, 2019.
This round will be for $50,000 to be given away. Applications can be made
online. March 5th there will be another Dane G. Hansen Forum held regarding
the foundation.
LEADERSHIP MITCHELL COUNTY: Mark Palen reported Leadership Mitchell County
Class 19 recently had their Health and Education session. He indicated the
session went well. They toured MCHHS, NCK Tech and Hilltop. The class is
currently working on their class project which will be revealed soon.
NCRPC: Doug McKinney reported Gov. Kelly’s Lt. Gov. plans to lead a rural
development initiative and hopes for improvements in rural areas.
OTHER: Bob Lampert reported the local Lions Club had Doug Jackson from
Rolling Hills as a speaker recently. He indicated their move to Beloit was
a good move and things are going well. The anticipated savings is being
experienced.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Julia Rabe spoke about Chamber Checks issued in our
community. There were $20,000 purchased and $9,000 were processed in
December alone.
February 2nd will be the Annual Chamber of Commerce banquet at the Down
Under. She is looking for dealers for card games for the event. Games to
be played, all monies won go to charity.
Julia has been preparing for upcoming events and is looking for individuals
interested in being on a committee for Millapalooza, 4th of July, Memorial
Weekend, 8 Man Football, etc. Please contact her if you are interested in
helping with any of the Chamber events. She said our job as a community is
to be good hosts at these events to make people welcome and that they will
want to come back.
CITY OF BELOIT: Jason Rabe gave updates on the City of Beloit. He reported
there is a committee updating a plan for the airport. This is a 20-40 year
plan and recognizes the impact of the airport on the area. Jason informed
the group about the water treatment plant plan. The City is looking at
using the existing lagoons to filter water. They are awaiting approval from
USDA. Spring planning is in progress for repairing street from Mill to the
Power Plant, Ace Hardware on Court Street. He reported West Main will be
receiving new curb and gutter as well as an overlay that should last for a
few years more. North Walnut needs repaired and this would be from the S
curve to Highway 24. This is planned to be a three lane or super two with
a turning lane which will be concrete. This is expected to happen in 2020
or 2021.
The waste water treatment plan is needing upgrades again. It has been 25
years since upgrades. They are looking into funding to make these
improvements.
Jason spoke about electric outages. They have been better for the most part
this past year due to better circuits/controls. Only 5 last year compared
to 11 the prior year.
Jason reported on the sidewalk to school program around the S curve to the
elementary school and to BHS.
OTHER: Lydia Housh of Becker Autos, Trailers and Campers reported to the
group that their business is opening an RV and Sporting Goods store in
February at their current location. They have added a new employee Jake
Krone to their repair shop as well as a camper wash area. They are starting
a camping club that will host events at Waconda Lake such as music events,
etc in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce. Beckers will be hosting an
open house on March 15th -17th.
The next meeting will be held on February 21, 2019 at the North Central
Regional Planning Commission Basement Meeting Room, 109 North Mill, Beloit,
KS at 1:19 o’clock p.m. There being no further business to come before the
meeting, the regular meeting was adjourned.
