MERAMEC REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING SUMMARY

July 27, 2010

Welcome and Introductions:
Connie Willman called the meeting to order at 11:51 a.m. Connie introduced Luke Holtschneider from the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

Members Present:
James Decker (Gasconade), Richard Huse (Maries), Marla Stevenson (Maries), Byron Baker (Osage), Mark Boyer (Osage), Russell Scheulen (Osage), Cyndra Lorey (Phelps), Janet Walker (Phelps), Carol Carson (Pulaski), T.R. Dudley (Washington) and Luke Holtschneider (DED)

Members Absent:
Norm DeLeo (Crawford), Mardy Leathers (Crawford), Kathy McCann (Crawford), Robert Schaffer (Crawford), Sharon Tubbs (Dent), Ray Walden (Dent), Donald Claycomb (Osage), Alan Galindo (Phelps), Bill Marshall (Phelps), John Petersen (Phelps), Paul Smith (Phelps), Keith Strassner (Phelps), Butch Tucker (Phelps), Dennis Wilson (Phelps), John Greenlee (Pulaski), Wayne Morgan (Pulaski), Rosalind Pride (Pulaski), Cheri Tune (Pulaski), Linda Wilson (Pulaski) and Sandy Allison (Washington)

Staff Present:
Richard Cavender, Bonnie Prigge, Connie Willman, Kelly Sink-Blair and Lisa Warnke

Business Infrastructure:
Kelly Sink-Blair, MRPC provided information on federal and state funding available to assist with infrastructure for industry. Kelly discussed the Federal sources including the following:

• Economic Development Administration - ideal for large infrastructure projects.
• Public Works and Economic Development Program – eligible applicants are local governments, institution of higher education, non-profits, private for-profit organizations with limitations on uses.
• USDA Rural Development – for smaller scale local infrastructure projects.
• Rural Business Enterprise Grants – eligible applicants are local governments and non-profits
• Rural Energy for America Program – eligible applicants are agricultural producers and rural small business.
• US Department of Treasury Renewable Energy Grant
• Energy Investment Tax Credit, and
• Energy Efficient Tax Deduction
• Delta Regional Authority – state grant program for transportation and public utilities. Eligible applicants are local governments and non-profits.

State resources include the following:

• Missouri Department of Economic Development
• Action Fund Loan – this loan is for start-up or expansion for businesses. Eligible applicants are cities and counties on behalf of beneficiary companies - for-profit companies with higher wages than prevailing wage and medical benefits.
• Brownfield Redevelopment Program – provides incentives for the redevelopment of commercial/industrial sites that are contaminated with hazardous substances and have been abandoned or underutilized for at least three years. There are several types of financial assistance for eligible projects.
• Downtown Revitalization – for public infrastructure and improvements that will contribute to the redevelopment of the downtown. Eligible applicants are cities and counties.
• Industrial Infrastructure Grants – assists local governments in the development of public infrastructure that allows industries to locate new facilities or expand existing facilities. Eligible applicants are cities and counties.
• Missouri Department of Natural Resources
• Missouri Energy Efficiency Leveraged Loan Program – provides upgrades to public infrastructure with the loan based on the savings generated from energy efficiency upgrades. Eligible applicants include public schools, universities, colleges, city or county government, public hospitals or facilities and water treatment plants.
• Energy Revolving Fund – provides loans to public schools, universities, colleges, city or county governments to help reduce energy costs. This program is very similar to the Leveraged Loan Program.

Review of the Current Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Goals and Objectives:
The committee resumed discussion of Goal I: Promote economic development/tourism through coordination and cooperation, marketing, information sharing, job development and quality education facilities. Objective 6: Address Infrastructure Needs – Level 1 Action items:

• Consider existing and potential utility needs and disposal requirements water/ waste water requirements and sold waste management, as well as transportation facilities, in planning for industrial development.
• Broadband capabilities need expanded statewide.
• 4-lane of hwy 63 & hwy 50
• Explore regionalization of waste water treatment
• Upgrade waterlines in small communities
• Upgrade waste treatment facilities to meet regulations
• Need reasonable energy costs. Need sustainable energy. Consider expansion of nuclear energy.
• Be more proactive on energy legislation and water/ waster water legislation.
• Support multi-modal transportation.
• Assist communities in obtaining needed infrastructure for existing/new businesses.
• Advocate for additional loan and grant funding for infrastructure needs from eda, usda rd, etc.
• Encourage long-range planning for infrastructure needs. Consider regional comprehensive plans. Explore grant opportunities for regional comprehensive plans. (HUDS Sustainable Communities Grant)
• Attempt to tie transportation projects to economic development projects.
• Communicate grant opportunities and offer grant writing services.

Objective 7: Promote Quality Education:

• Increase awareness of the importance of quality schools and educational institutions to successful economic development.
• Encourage formation of P-20 Group.

Next Meeting:
The next CEDS Advisory Committee Meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Adjournment:
Being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 12:49 p.m.