MRPC
News
For more information, contact:
Bonnie J. Prigge, (573) 265-2993
HULSE RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT OF GVEZ
Board discusses new enhanced enterprise zone application process
LINN-Jim Hulse of Linn was re-elected to a one-year term as president of the
Gasconade Valley Enterprise Zone during the group's regular meeting Jan. 20
at the Osage County Community Center. This will be Hulse's fourth term as president.
Gasconade County Presiding Commissioner Jerry Lairmore was also re-elected vice
president. Gary Reynolds of Osage County was re-elected secretary while Mark
Hayes of Maries County was re-elected treasurer.
The main issue of discussion during the meeting was on efforts to improve the
Highway 50 corridor from Franklin County to Johnson County. In 2000, GVEZ had
initiated Grow On 50, a grassroots coalition of local governments, businesses
and industries striving to create awareness and build support for much needed
improvements of Highway 50.
Hulse updated the group on a Nov. 18, 2004, meeting the with Jefferson City
Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee, which agreed to support, by resolution,
Highway 50 improvements. The Grow on 50 sub-committee met after the regular
GVEZ meeting to begin developing a strategy to promote Highway 50 improvements.
In other business, the board:
o Approved a budget of $15,200 for 2005. The group earmarked $2,500 for Grow
on 50 activities. For 2004, GVEZ posted revenues of $20,686 and incurred expenses
of $7,718, leaving revenue over expenditures of nearly $13,000 for the year.
o Tabled discussion on an enhanced enterprise zone application until demographic
data was available on all three counties to determine what cities and industrial
areas may qualify for status under the new state program.
o Set its 2005 meeting calendar, with meetings set for 1 p.m. March 17 in Owensville,
1 p.m. May 19 in Vienna, 1 p.m. July 21 in Chamois , 1 p.m. Sept. 15 in Belle
and 1 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Osage County Community Center
o Learned the existing enterprise zone can only offer local property tax incentives
to qualifying companies within the zone and can offer state tax credits as an
incentive. This change was brought about with the passage of the enhanced enterprise
zone law. Existing companies already receiving enterprise zone tax benefits
are grandfathered under the former law and will continue to be able to claim
credits for up to 10 years, as promised under previous legislation.
The Gasconade Valley Enterprise Zone works to promote, coordinate and facilitate
community and economic development in Gasconade, Maries and Osage counties.
A portion of the three-county area is a state designated enterprise zone that
offers certain property tax abatements to qualifying companies locating or expanding
in the zone. Bonnie Prigge of Meramec Regional Planning Commission serves as
zone administrator. For more information, persons may contact Prigge at MRPC,
at 573-265-2993.