Organization

County mulls $100K for EG

Friday, August 15, 2008
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com
—768-4926

Jackson County might shell out an additional $100,000 to the county’s economic-development agency next month.

County officials have been more than pleased with Scott Fleming’s job performance since he took over as chief of the Enterprise Group in February.

``In years past there was a dissatisfaction with the EG. There was clearly no happiness with the direction the EG was going,’’ said Randy Treacher, county administrator and Enterprise Group board member. ``That has quickly changed with the direction of Scott, and they do need some financial assistance.’’

The county needs cash, too, with revenues continuing to fall as operating costs rise. Last week, commissioners announced they were looking at plans that could lead to the elimination of the equivalent of 331/2 positions by the end of 2010.

But Treacher said there is room in the budget this year for the one-time $100,000 donation.

``If one of the county’s goals is economic development and it leads to additional jobs, then frankly it needs to be a priority of ours,’’ he said.

The figure represents the total amount the county had cut from its annual donation to the Enterprise Group over the past five years.

The county has given the Enterprise Group $80,000 each year, so the additional $100,000 this year would bring this year’s total to $180,000. Treacher said as part of the proposal he will ask commissioners to increase the annual donation back to its previous level of $100,000.

In exchange for the donation, the county will ask for another seat on the Enterprise Group board. Treacher is the only member from the county administration on the board.

``If the county is going to be contributing the kind of money they are, they want a seat,’’ Treacher said.

Enterprise Group Board Chairman Ric Walton said the donation would coincide with the kickoff of the organization’s capital campaign.

``We’re very appreciative of their wanting to partner with us and financially help us out,’’ Walton said.

The Enterprise Group is hoping to raise $2 million in the next three years to finance its operations.

It has been five years since the last campaign, Walton said.

``It’s time to go out and raise money again,’’ he said.

Unlike a chamber of commerce, which typically generates revenue from fees it charges its members, the Enterprise Group subsists on donations from individuals, business and governmental entities, and grants and fees for services it provides.

Fleming—who took over for Steve Czarnecki, who led the organization since its inception a decade ago—said the group will be stepping up its marketing and attraction efforts.

Toward the end of Czarnecki’s tenure, county commissioners grew increasingly more vocal in their displeasure with his leadership, saying he wasn’t doing enough to attract businesses to the area.

When Fleming took over, he had to ask for a marketing budget, because the Enterprise Group didn’t have brochures touting the area’s attractions and potential.

``It costs more to attract businesses than it does to retain them,’’ Fleming said.

The county’s funding proposal will come up for a vote at the Sept. 23 county board meeting, Treacher said.