The Local Government Committee of the Kansas House of Representative will hear testimony on HB 2450 on February 9th. Members of the Beloit Juvenile Correctional Facility Task Force will return to Topeka on the 9th to testify in support of the bill that authorizes the state to transfer the property of the former correctional facility back to the City of Beloit.
HB 2450 was introduced by Representative Clay Aurand. A similar bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Janis Lee. SB 357 was passed on "favorably" by the Senate Ways and Means Committee this past Tuesday. It will be considered by the full Senate within the next few days.
In the meantime members of the local BJCF Task Force are working on details in preparation to receive the property from the state and to put it to use in the best interest of the community.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Senate Committee Passes SB 357 to the Full Senate
Several members of our community testified today before the Senate Ways and Means committee on SB 357 to authorize the transfer of the BJCF to the City of Beloit. The committee voted unanimously to pass the bill favorably on to the full Senate for their consideration. The Senate is expected to take up the bill on Monday. A similar bill is going to be heard by the House Local Government Committee sometime soon.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Kansas Senate Bill 357 Hearing
Members of the Kansas Senate Ways and Means Committee will hear testimony on a bill to authorize the transfer of Beloit Juvenile Correctional Facility to the City of Beloit. Several community representatives will travel to Topeka on January 27th to testify before the Senate Committee on behalf of our community to encourage the state to return the property to the community so it can be utilized for the greatest benefit of the community and not sit idle.
The property was originally given to the state by the community in the late 1890’s and operated over 120 years as a facility for juvenile girls.
Senator Janis Lee introduced senate Bill 357. A similar bill is also working its way through the House of Representatives and will be considered by the House Local Government Committee sometime soon.
The property was originally given to the state by the community in the late 1890’s and operated over 120 years as a facility for juvenile girls.
Senator Janis Lee introduced senate Bill 357. A similar bill is also working its way through the House of Representatives and will be considered by the House Local Government Committee sometime soon.
Monday, January 18, 2010
BJCF Bills Introduced
Two bills have been introduced in Topeka requesting the state return the Beloit Juvenile Correctional Facility property to the City of Beloit. Last week Senator Janis Lee introduced Senate Bill 357 and Representative Clay Aurand introduced House Bill 2450.
The Senate Bill has been assigned to the Ways and Means Committee for their consideration. The House Bill has been assigned to the Local Government Committee.
Both bills ask that the Secretary of Administration be given the authority to convey the Correctional Facility property to the City of Beloit.
The property was given to the state over 120 years ago. Community leaders are asking the property be returned so that it can be put to use once again for the benefit of the community.
If you would like to follow these bills through the legislative process click here and type in the appropriate bill numbers in the tracking box.
Getting the state to return the property to the City of Beloit will open the door for us to utilize the property in ways that will benefit the entire community.
The Senate Bill has been assigned to the Ways and Means Committee for their consideration. The House Bill has been assigned to the Local Government Committee.
Both bills ask that the Secretary of Administration be given the authority to convey the Correctional Facility property to the City of Beloit.
The property was given to the state over 120 years ago. Community leaders are asking the property be returned so that it can be put to use once again for the benefit of the community.
If you would like to follow these bills through the legislative process click here and type in the appropriate bill numbers in the tracking box.
Getting the state to return the property to the City of Beloit will open the door for us to utilize the property in ways that will benefit the entire community.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Available Buildings and Sites
We are continuously updating information on available buildings and sites in Mitchell County, Kansas. You can keep up to date on these properties via our Facebook Fan Page.
If you have any questions contact Murray McGee at 785.738.2717 or 785.569.1465.
If you have any questions contact Murray McGee at 785.738.2717 or 785.569.1465.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Site Prep Underway for NBAF in Manhattan
Our eyes are focused towards Manhattan these days as Kansas State University and the City of Manhattan begin site preparation for NBAF. According to officials in Manhattan the preparations are moving along pretty well.
KSU President Kirk Schulz told members of Solomon Valley Economic Development and the Beloit Chamber of Commerce the new National Bio Agro-Defense Facility will make a significant impact on Manhattan and communities as far away as 100-150 miles as support businesses will be looking for available buildings and land for development.
If all goes as planned construction on the NBAF facility could begin late this summer.
KSU President Kirk Schulz told members of Solomon Valley Economic Development and the Beloit Chamber of Commerce the new National Bio Agro-Defense Facility will make a significant impact on Manhattan and communities as far away as 100-150 miles as support businesses will be looking for available buildings and land for development.
If all goes as planned construction on the NBAF facility could begin late this summer.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
NBAF Future in Kansas
The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility is slated to come to Manhattan soon and it could change the landscape in our state and our communities. Kansas State University President, Kirk Schulz was the keynote speaker at the Beloit Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet on January 9th, 2010. He biefly discussed what NBAF could mean to our area.
Of course the greatest impact of the the NBAF development will be seen in the Manhattan and Junction City, Kansas area. The NBAF facilities are being built at Kansas State University in Manhattan. But as Dr. Schulz pointed out there will be many related businesses that will need to local near Manhattan. Some of those will need offices for 2 or 3 people. Some will need small production or manufacturing buildings and some will need land to build.....new, large manufacturing facilities.
Some of these new businesses will need to be close to NBAF. Some will be able to operate within a few miles of the new facility and some will want to locate within a 100 to 150 mile radius of the facility.
Of course the latter of the locations mentioned is where our community could come into consideration. We may be able to offer available buildings and land for development of new facilities related to NBAF.
But the key element is to make sure these prospective new businesses know we are even here. At this time there is no "single" point of contact for these prospects. It is up to us to be sure that we make ourselves known.
It will be important for us to be in direct communication with economic development leaders in Manhattan and with Kansas State University.
We are studying our options and what opportunities could be ahead for our community in relation to NBAF. Like everyone else we are interested to see how this facility could change the landscape for business in north central Kansas and possibly the entire state.
Of course the greatest impact of the the NBAF development will be seen in the Manhattan and Junction City, Kansas area. The NBAF facilities are being built at Kansas State University in Manhattan. But as Dr. Schulz pointed out there will be many related businesses that will need to local near Manhattan. Some of those will need offices for 2 or 3 people. Some will need small production or manufacturing buildings and some will need land to build.....new, large manufacturing facilities.
Some of these new businesses will need to be close to NBAF. Some will be able to operate within a few miles of the new facility and some will want to locate within a 100 to 150 mile radius of the facility.
Of course the latter of the locations mentioned is where our community could come into consideration. We may be able to offer available buildings and land for development of new facilities related to NBAF.
But the key element is to make sure these prospective new businesses know we are even here. At this time there is no "single" point of contact for these prospects. It is up to us to be sure that we make ourselves known.
It will be important for us to be in direct communication with economic development leaders in Manhattan and with Kansas State University.
We are studying our options and what opportunities could be ahead for our community in relation to NBAF. Like everyone else we are interested to see how this facility could change the landscape for business in north central Kansas and possibly the entire state.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Claw Back Clauses
Cities and Counties all across the country are starting to use "claw back clauses" that have been built into recent economic development incentives. An Associated Press story hit wires on January 3rd explaining the problem businesses and communities are facing. You can read the details here.
Tax breaks or tax abatement's for businesses are often tied to "job creation". A business promises to create a certain number of jobs and in exchange they receive certain tax breaks.
In our many communities in our area communities consider the number of jobs created and the amount of investment being made in the community through construction and other capital improvements.
In tough economic times incentives must be considered very carefully by the taxing entities offering the incentive and the business accepting them.
Still in Mitchell County the incentive we have offered to spur growth and development is a tax rebate and not a tax abatement. This way the local taxing entities are not giving up any tax revenues they currently receive. Instead they are offering to rebate a portion of the increased tax revenues created by improvements made to a property. The rebate is only applied to the improvements and the taxing entities continue to receive the base tax that is paid on the property before improvements are made.
We certainly want to roll out the red carpet for any business that wishes to expand, relocate or start up new in Mitchell County. We want to do what is beneficial for our community and our businesses.
Tax breaks or tax abatement's for businesses are often tied to "job creation". A business promises to create a certain number of jobs and in exchange they receive certain tax breaks.
In our many communities in our area communities consider the number of jobs created and the amount of investment being made in the community through construction and other capital improvements.
In tough economic times incentives must be considered very carefully by the taxing entities offering the incentive and the business accepting them.
Still in Mitchell County the incentive we have offered to spur growth and development is a tax rebate and not a tax abatement. This way the local taxing entities are not giving up any tax revenues they currently receive. Instead they are offering to rebate a portion of the increased tax revenues created by improvements made to a property. The rebate is only applied to the improvements and the taxing entities continue to receive the base tax that is paid on the property before improvements are made.
We certainly want to roll out the red carpet for any business that wishes to expand, relocate or start up new in Mitchell County. We want to do what is beneficial for our community and our businesses.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
