MSDC: Saline Green awaits Dept. of Energy funding news

Board members heard updates about various projects during Marshall-Saline Development Corporation's meeting Tuesday morning, Sept. 8.

During September, said Executive Direcdtor Roy Hunter, the U.S. Department of Energy is expected to announce distribution of funds for loan guarantees and grants, which will determine the timeframe for advances in the Saline Green Project.

"It's not a killer if it doesn't happen, it'll just change some funding mechanisms," said Hunter.

Hunter also said redistribution of transportation funds will be announced in the last quarter of 2009, which will dictate how MSDC proceeds with the Marshall Junction Project, which Hunter hopes will see a change from the cloverleaf-style exchange and additions of new businesses.

Hunter reported a planned expansion of I-70 Community Hospital. Administrators have applied for bonds available through the Recovery Bond program, part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009.

Construction bids for the expansion of Monsanto's facility have been received, said Hunter, adding that a final decision regarding the expansion could be made during September.

Hunter also reported that MSDC is "in the early stages of rekindling the economic development committee in Sweet Springs."

In the early part of the decade, there was a functional economic development group in Sweet Springs, but, said Hunter, it collapsed due to political issues.

Hunter has been in talks with ProEnergy Services, a Sedalia-based company, on "a transportation issue ... we might be able to help them with," he said.

The founder of the company lived in North Carolina, but based the company in Sedalia, where he had family, said Hunter.

"That's exactly what we're trying to do with Project Footprint," said Hunter.

The board entered into a contract with the Marshall High School class of 1999. Of the 234 members of the class, reunion organizers have contact information for all but 50. MSDC will work to find 25 of those missing members, said AmeriCorps VISTA worker Josh King.

Hunter said that King's "tour runs out in a couple months," but because King is not committed to attending school until 2010, he hopes to retain King's services for another year.

Board members heard that Marshall Municipal Utilities Board of Public Works had voted to continue funding MSDC for the coming year.

Marshall Mayor Connie Latimer was present at the meeting, and said, "It's too bad that everyone doesn't have the opportunity that I have had ... to sit down with Roy on a project and to take it from the time it comes in and see what goes into (it). ... An awful lot of work goes into a lot of things, and ... I've learned that with the partnership that we've been involved in with the (Saline Green Project)."

Board member Bill Riggens distributed a pamphlet outlining new offerings of the Nicholas-Beazley Aviation Museum.

He also said the museum needs more volunteers, which would make it possible for the museum to be open more hours per week.

In an average month, said Riggens, about 20 events have been held at Martin Community Center.

The board heard about the upcoming Regional Entrepreneurs' Showcase, which will be held at Martin Community Center Saturday, Oct. 24, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

This event is aimed at educating people about entrepreneurship, assisting in networking and promoting and selling products, according to information in a promotional pamphlet.

The registration fee is $40 per person for lunch, classes and a table, or $20 for lunch and classes. For more information, contact orgainzer Nancy Heidrich at 660-463-7934 or nancy@trailsrpc.org.

Latimer mentioned improvements being made to the Marshall Memorial Airport, and said these improvements will include installation of a fueling station that accepts credit card purchases, making fuel available at any time.

The board accepted the resignation of board member Michelle Pointer.

The board's next regular meeting is scheduled for 7 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at MSDC's office at 1455 W. Arrow St.

Contact Geoff Rands at marshallreporter@socket.net