A new brochure is currently being developed to focus attention on the technology and infrastructure we have to offer businesses that are looking to expand or relocate in our area. The brochure, developed by Mitchell County Community Development is the third in a series that is being sent directly to professional Realtors and site selectors who assist businesses in their decision making.
It is interesting to note Cunningham Telephone and Cable has over 1,000 miles of fiber optics connecting homes, businesses and communities in Mitchell, Jewell, Cloud, Republic, Osborne and Ottawa counties. North Central Kansas Technical College has a GIS/GPS Technology program that provides training in geographical information systems software using global positioning system technology. The college has contracted with local city agencies to provide data in GIS format.
The brochure will also include information on the advanced medical technology that is available to our local physicians and hospital. It will also cover information on current utility capabilities available in and around our communities.
Businesses look closely at the technology they need when they consider expanding or relocating to an area.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
We're # 1
Mitchell County residents can stand up and take a bow. A new study has been released that ranks Mitchell County as the healthiest county in the state of Kansas. The study was conducted by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.
The Kansas Health Rankings report studies many different factors, including quality of health care, individual behavior, education and jobs, and the environment. (Mitchell County Summary)
For more details you can read the report on county health rankings here.
The Kansas Health Rankings report studies many different factors, including quality of health care, individual behavior, education and jobs, and the environment. (Mitchell County Summary)
For more details you can read the report on county health rankings here.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
BJCF Bill Clears Another Hurdle
Senate Bill 357 cleared another hurdle last week when the House Local Government Committee voted unanimously to pass it on to the full House for consideration. The bill authorizes the transfer of the former Beloit Juvenile Correctional Facility property to the City of Beloit.
The bill has been placed on "General Orders" on the House Calendar. On Monday, February 15th it was listed on page 10. This morning (February 16) the bill is listed on page 8.
Legislators have been moving the bill through the process quickly so the property can be removed from the states inventory as soon as possible and remove their liability for the utilities and maintenance of the facilities.
Local leaders are standing ready to receive the property. They include the City of Beloit, Mitchell County, USD 273, Mitchell County Partnership for Children, the Early Learning Center and NCK Technical College and possibly others.
Once the House of Representatives approve the bill the Kansas Department of Administration and the Attorney General's office will be involved in handling the final transaction with the City of Beloit.
The House of Representatives meet at 11 A.M. each week day. You can listen in on their debate of bills online at kslegislature.org.
The bill has been placed on "General Orders" on the House Calendar. On Monday, February 15th it was listed on page 10. This morning (February 16) the bill is listed on page 8.
Legislators have been moving the bill through the process quickly so the property can be removed from the states inventory as soon as possible and remove their liability for the utilities and maintenance of the facilities.
Local leaders are standing ready to receive the property. They include the City of Beloit, Mitchell County, USD 273, Mitchell County Partnership for Children, the Early Learning Center and NCK Technical College and possibly others.
Once the House of Representatives approve the bill the Kansas Department of Administration and the Attorney General's office will be involved in handling the final transaction with the City of Beloit.
The House of Representatives meet at 11 A.M. each week day. You can listen in on their debate of bills online at kslegislature.org.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Proposed Housing Development Positive Step
Wichita housing developer, Manske & Associates is looking at the possibility of constructing ten new homes in Beloit. The developer has been working with representatives from Mitchell County Community Development, the Solomon Valley Economic Development Housing Task Force and the City of Beloit. They have submitted an application to the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation to participate in a special housing tax credit program to encourage the development of income based housing.
The total cost estimate for the development is $1.8 million and calls for new homes to be built at 3rd and Mill and in the Zimmer Addition in Beloit, KS.
Manske & Associates has a very long and positive record of developing housing in communities all across the state of Kansas. The homes proposed for Beloit will be single family houses with 3 bedrooms, two baths and a two car garage. They will be approximately 1,275 square feet and some will include an unfinished basement.
The application for the housing development program has been submitted to KHRC and will be reviewed and scored against other projects being considered throughout the state.
Just the other day someone asked what a housing means to economic development. Of course there is the initial benefit of the jobs created for construction of the homes and the purchase of materials. There is also an increase in property value created with the addition of new homes.
Beyond the construction phase of the project there are many other economic benefits to creating additional housing in a community. Rental housing in Beloit is extremely tight and adding 10 homes with 3 bedrooms each would help relieve some of the pressure on the housing market. This would add to the number of people living in our community as they move into the new homes. Some will be new residents. Others will be moving out of other homes in Beloit and freeing them up for other families to move into.
Having more families in Beloit would increase the demand for retail goods and services, sales tax revenues and possibly add more children to our school system. For the City and County it would generate more property taxes and utility revenues.
The housing project will be owned locally. Manske & Associates only serve as the developer. The local owner of the project will benefit from the revenues generated by the rental and sales of the homes.
In all there are many ways that a new housing development benefits the local community. We are hopeful our application is approved by the KHRC.
The total cost estimate for the development is $1.8 million and calls for new homes to be built at 3rd and Mill and in the Zimmer Addition in Beloit, KS.
Manske & Associates has a very long and positive record of developing housing in communities all across the state of Kansas. The homes proposed for Beloit will be single family houses with 3 bedrooms, two baths and a two car garage. They will be approximately 1,275 square feet and some will include an unfinished basement.
The application for the housing development program has been submitted to KHRC and will be reviewed and scored against other projects being considered throughout the state.
Just the other day someone asked what a housing means to economic development. Of course there is the initial benefit of the jobs created for construction of the homes and the purchase of materials. There is also an increase in property value created with the addition of new homes.
Beyond the construction phase of the project there are many other economic benefits to creating additional housing in a community. Rental housing in Beloit is extremely tight and adding 10 homes with 3 bedrooms each would help relieve some of the pressure on the housing market. This would add to the number of people living in our community as they move into the new homes. Some will be new residents. Others will be moving out of other homes in Beloit and freeing them up for other families to move into.
Having more families in Beloit would increase the demand for retail goods and services, sales tax revenues and possibly add more children to our school system. For the City and County it would generate more property taxes and utility revenues.
The housing project will be owned locally. Manske & Associates only serve as the developer. The local owner of the project will benefit from the revenues generated by the rental and sales of the homes.
In all there are many ways that a new housing development benefits the local community. We are hopeful our application is approved by the KHRC.
BJCF Legislative Path Streamlined
Members of the Beloit Juvenile Correctional Facility Task Force are heading back to Topeka on February 11th to testify in support of Senate Bill 357. The bill has already been passed by the full Kansas Senate. Now it is being heard by the House Local Government Committee.
A duplicate bill HB 2450 that originated in the House of Representatives has been put on hold. It was found that having the duplicate bill was not necessary as the Senate quickly moved SB 357 through to the House for consideration.
Part of the reason for the quick action by the Legislature is the Kansas Juvenile Justice Authority is currently paying for the utilities and a full-time staff person to keep the former BJCF maintained and they are running short of money.
What will happen if SB 357 is passed by the House? It will become official once the bill is published. Then the work will begin to transfer the property to the City of Beloit.
In the meantime representatives from the City of Beloit, Mitchell County Commissioners, NCK Technical College, USD 273, the Early Learning Center and several other organizations have been working together to develop plans for how the facilities can be utilized to benefit the community. And to plan how the expenses for utilities and maintenance will be shared.
Admittedly the legislative action on the communities request to receive the BJCF property is moving faster than expected. But with all parties working together the community can develop plans to receive and utilize the facility, secure jobs that are already asscociated with the Early Learning Center and Mitchell County Partnership for Children, and create several other jobs associated with new uses for the buildings and property.
A duplicate bill HB 2450 that originated in the House of Representatives has been put on hold. It was found that having the duplicate bill was not necessary as the Senate quickly moved SB 357 through to the House for consideration.
Part of the reason for the quick action by the Legislature is the Kansas Juvenile Justice Authority is currently paying for the utilities and a full-time staff person to keep the former BJCF maintained and they are running short of money.
What will happen if SB 357 is passed by the House? It will become official once the bill is published. Then the work will begin to transfer the property to the City of Beloit.
In the meantime representatives from the City of Beloit, Mitchell County Commissioners, NCK Technical College, USD 273, the Early Learning Center and several other organizations have been working together to develop plans for how the facilities can be utilized to benefit the community. And to plan how the expenses for utilities and maintenance will be shared.
Admittedly the legislative action on the communities request to receive the BJCF property is moving faster than expected. But with all parties working together the community can develop plans to receive and utilize the facility, secure jobs that are already asscociated with the Early Learning Center and Mitchell County Partnership for Children, and create several other jobs associated with new uses for the buildings and property.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
