2011 has been a year of ups and downs but commercial construction activity looks very promising in 2012. Community Development Director, Murray McGee reported to the Mitchell County Commissioners recently that several large commercial construction projects have been started and many more are on the horizon.
The Crown Homes construction is nearing an end. Two of the new homes in the Ackerman Addition are expected to be ready in February. Seven more will be ready soon after.
Thompson Tire has started adding on to their north building. Super 8 is adding on 20 rooms. Those two projects will be completed in early 2012.
In 2011 a total of three lots were sold in the Solomon Valley Business Park south of Super 8 and Becker Autos & Trailers. Three new commercial buildings will be constructed in the business park next year.
Plans are also being developed to construct new commercial buildings at 3rd & Mill Street and at 2nd & Mill Street in downtown Beloit.
Construction continues on the new swimming pool in Chautauqua Park, crews have started work on new water lines. Construction work on the new lines started in the area of 4th & Western Streets.
They City of Beloit is also moving forward with plans for new cooling towers to be built at the power plant in 2012.
McGee said there are also two other commercial building projects in the discussion stage at this time for 2012.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Busy Time for Mitchell County Community Development
I just gave an update today on several ongoing projects:
1) The platting process continues on the North Campus Development area. We already have interest in the commercial and residential areas of the property.
2) Manske & Associates have closed on land in the Ackerman Addition in Beloit and will move their housing project to this location. Construction should begin soon.
3) We have two large business expansion projects on the table. Both over $500,000.
4) We have 9 new business development projects. A couple have made offers on property in Beloit.
5) We have sold two lots in the Solomon Valley Business park within the past 45 days and talks are underway for the sale of a 3rd lot at this time.
6) Brett Wichers has moved the Plum Creek Restaurant to it's new location on west Court Street in downtown Beloit.
To say the least.....this is a very busy time. If you have a business project you would like to discuss call 785 738-2717 or 785 569-1465.
1) The platting process continues on the North Campus Development area. We already have interest in the commercial and residential areas of the property.
2) Manske & Associates have closed on land in the Ackerman Addition in Beloit and will move their housing project to this location. Construction should begin soon.
3) We have two large business expansion projects on the table. Both over $500,000.
4) We have 9 new business development projects. A couple have made offers on property in Beloit.
5) We have sold two lots in the Solomon Valley Business park within the past 45 days and talks are underway for the sale of a 3rd lot at this time.
6) Brett Wichers has moved the Plum Creek Restaurant to it's new location on west Court Street in downtown Beloit.
To say the least.....this is a very busy time. If you have a business project you would like to discuss call 785 738-2717 or 785 569-1465.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Mitchell County Joins ROZ Program
Mitchell County has recently joined a new state program to offer special incentives to people who move to our area.
On April 11, Gov. Sam Brownback signed into law the Rural Opportunity Zones (ROZs) program. The program is a central component of a broader plan by the Brownback Administration to spur economic development in and expand job growth in 50 counties around the state. The program took effect July 1, 2011.
The program has two main incentives:
--A state income tax exemption for up to five years to individuals who move to a ROZs county from outside the state. Individuals must not have lived in Kansas for the past five years, nor have Kansas source income of more than $10,000 per year over the past five years.
--Student loan foregiveness of up to $3,000 per year for individuals who graduate from an accredited post-secondary institution and move to a ROZs county.
The student loan foregiveness portion of the program is a county-state partnership, and counties must opt in to participate. Mitchell County has agreed to fund two people in the student loan program.
To apply for the Rural Opportunity Zone student loan repayment program, click here.
To request more information about the Rural Opportunity Zone program, click here to fill out a request form, or contact:
Dan Lara
Public Information Officer
Kansas Department of Commerce
dlara@kansascommerce.com
(785) 296-3760
On April 11, Gov. Sam Brownback signed into law the Rural Opportunity Zones (ROZs) program. The program is a central component of a broader plan by the Brownback Administration to spur economic development in and expand job growth in 50 counties around the state. The program took effect July 1, 2011.
The program has two main incentives:
--A state income tax exemption for up to five years to individuals who move to a ROZs county from outside the state. Individuals must not have lived in Kansas for the past five years, nor have Kansas source income of more than $10,000 per year over the past five years.
--Student loan foregiveness of up to $3,000 per year for individuals who graduate from an accredited post-secondary institution and move to a ROZs county.
The student loan foregiveness portion of the program is a county-state partnership, and counties must opt in to participate. Mitchell County has agreed to fund two people in the student loan program.
To apply for the Rural Opportunity Zone student loan repayment program, click here.
To request more information about the Rural Opportunity Zone program, click here to fill out a request form, or contact:
Dan Lara
Public Information Officer
Kansas Department of Commerce
dlara@kansascommerce.com
(785) 296-3760
Thursday, June 23, 2011
North Campus Development Plans Moving Forward
The Beloit City Council has authorized the survey and platting of the North Campus Development area. The action by the city is the next step in the process of developing the former Beloit Juvenile Correctional Facility property. It opens many new opportunities for the community.
The site will include 12-15 acres for new housing develop directly west of the former correctional facility campus. It will also include 8-10 acres along U.S. Highway 24 for commercial development and approximately 20 acres of land directly north of the campus for mixed use development of housing, and light commercial businesses.
The City is in the process of having the property platted and rezoned. Mitchell County Community Development Director Murray McGee says he has already been contacted by people interested in both the residential and commercial property along the highway.
The city will be working over the next few months to determine how they plan to market and sell the land for development.
Parties interested in the development can contact McGee at 785.738.2717 or 785.569.1465.
The site will include 12-15 acres for new housing develop directly west of the former correctional facility campus. It will also include 8-10 acres along U.S. Highway 24 for commercial development and approximately 20 acres of land directly north of the campus for mixed use development of housing, and light commercial businesses.
The City is in the process of having the property platted and rezoned. Mitchell County Community Development Director Murray McGee says he has already been contacted by people interested in both the residential and commercial property along the highway.
The city will be working over the next few months to determine how they plan to market and sell the land for development.
Parties interested in the development can contact McGee at 785.738.2717 or 785.569.1465.
Crown Homes Breaking Ground
Construction began earlier this week on 9 new homes in Beloit. The Crown Homes building project being lead by Manske & Associates of Wichita will provide workforce housing for moderate income families.
Eight of the homes will be located on the east edge of Beloit in the Zimmer Addition and one home will be located at the intersection of 3rd & Mill Streets near the downtown business district.
The homes will be made available through a unique program. The homes will be leased for the first 15 years and then converted to a mortgage for the second 15 year period. They will be available based on income. Two will be available to qualifying families as "low income" homes and 7 will be available to qualifying families as "moderate income" homes.
The goal of the housing program is to help provide more "workforce" quality housing and to assist families already living in Beloit to step up to newer houses and free up older homes for other residents and new residents in the community.
Site preparation work began earlier this week in the Zimmer Addition. It is expected to take 7 months to complete construction on all 9 homes. Applications will be available when the homes are near completion. We are working on getting flyers made that provide information on the income guidelines for the Crown Homes. It will be announced when that information is available.
Eight of the homes will be located on the east edge of Beloit in the Zimmer Addition and one home will be located at the intersection of 3rd & Mill Streets near the downtown business district.
The homes will be made available through a unique program. The homes will be leased for the first 15 years and then converted to a mortgage for the second 15 year period. They will be available based on income. Two will be available to qualifying families as "low income" homes and 7 will be available to qualifying families as "moderate income" homes.
The goal of the housing program is to help provide more "workforce" quality housing and to assist families already living in Beloit to step up to newer houses and free up older homes for other residents and new residents in the community.
Site preparation work began earlier this week in the Zimmer Addition. It is expected to take 7 months to complete construction on all 9 homes. Applications will be available when the homes are near completion. We are working on getting flyers made that provide information on the income guidelines for the Crown Homes. It will be announced when that information is available.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Convergys hiring home-based agents in rural Kansas including Mitchell County.
The Kansas Department of Commerce announced this afternoon Convergys is planning to hire home-based agents in rural Kansas. Mitchell County is one of more than 40 counties where the company will be looking for employees.
For more information read the details here.
For more information read the details here.
Beloit Council Approves North Campus Development Plan
The Beloit City Council has accepted the steering committee's master plan for the North Campus Development. Monday night I met with the Beloit Planning Commission to start the discussion for rezoning the land so that it can be developed. We are moving forward through this process.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Unemployment Drops Slightly
While the state saw a jump in unemployment claims in January claims were down in Mitchell County. According to the latest report from the Kansas Department of Labor unemployment in Mitchell County stood at 4.6% in January. That is down just one-tenth of a percent from December.
At the same time unemployment jumped from 6.4% in December to 7.4% in January for the state of Kansas.
At the same time unemployment jumped from 6.4% in December to 7.4% in January for the state of Kansas.
North Campus Development Steering Committee Fine Tuning Recommendations
The North Campus Development Steering Committee conducted their final public meeting last week to discuss their vision for former Beloit Juvenile Correctional Facility property along U.S. Highway 24 and Walnut Street.
The committee will continue to fine tune their recommendations before presenting them to the Beloit City Council on April 5th. Currently the plans include a proposal to develop 15 acres of land to the west of the main campus for new homes. Ten acres along U.S. Highway 24 is being considered for commercial development and the remaining 20 acres between the highway and the main campus could be zoned for “mixed use” housing and light commercial development.
The committee is also working on recommendations for the city council to consider such as time limitations for those who purchase property. The committee has recommended those who purchase property be given 2 years to build on it.
The steering committee is encouraging the city to consider improvements to Walnut Street and to work quickly to provide some street access to the undeveloped land so it can be marketed.
The group will make their final recommendations to the Beloit City Council at thir first meeting in April.
The committee will continue to fine tune their recommendations before presenting them to the Beloit City Council on April 5th. Currently the plans include a proposal to develop 15 acres of land to the west of the main campus for new homes. Ten acres along U.S. Highway 24 is being considered for commercial development and the remaining 20 acres between the highway and the main campus could be zoned for “mixed use” housing and light commercial development.
The committee is also working on recommendations for the city council to consider such as time limitations for those who purchase property. The committee has recommended those who purchase property be given 2 years to build on it.
The steering committee is encouraging the city to consider improvements to Walnut Street and to work quickly to provide some street access to the undeveloped land so it can be marketed.
The group will make their final recommendations to the Beloit City Council at thir first meeting in April.
Unemployment Continues to Decrease
While the state of Kansas saw a jump in unemployment claims in January claims were down in Mitchell County. According to the latest report from the Kansas Department of Labor, unemployment in Mitchell County stood at 4.6% in January. That is down just one-tenth of a percent from December 2010.
Meanwhile unemployment jumped from 6.4% in December to 7.4% in January for the state of Kansas.
Meanwhile unemployment jumped from 6.4% in December to 7.4% in January for the state of Kansas.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Community Turning Negative Into Positive
It's great to see a community recognized for turning a negative situation into a positive. Our community was hit hard when the state of Kansas closed the former Beloit Juvenile Correctional Facility. Many jobs were lost and we were left with a big hole in the community with an campus full of empty buildings.
Since receiving the campus, buildings and adjacent ag land from the state of Kansas the community has forged ahead with efforts to fill the buildings and now develop plans for future development of the surrounding agricultural land.
Earlier this week a reporter from the Associated Press asked for an update on what the community is doing. Today the word is spreading through radio and TV news stories.
Our community deserves a big pat on the back for moving forward and making something positive out of the hand we were dealt.
Since receiving the campus, buildings and adjacent ag land from the state of Kansas the community has forged ahead with efforts to fill the buildings and now develop plans for future development of the surrounding agricultural land.
Earlier this week a reporter from the Associated Press asked for an update on what the community is doing. Today the word is spreading through radio and TV news stories.
Our community deserves a big pat on the back for moving forward and making something positive out of the hand we were dealt.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Unemployment Figures Continue to Drop
Unemployment continues to drop in Mitchell County, KS. According to the latest report from the Kansas Department of Labor the unemployment rate in Decembr was 4.0%. That is down from 4.7% in November.
The December unemployment report also shows good improvements over last years figures when the unemployment rate in December 2009 was at 7% in Mitchell County.
The December unemployment report also shows good improvements over last years figures when the unemployment rate in December 2009 was at 7% in Mitchell County.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
2011 off to a BIG start
One of the best indicators of economic growth and strength is "construction". When you have construction activity in your community it demonstrates confidence and a dedication to individual and business investment in your community.
Since October 18, 2010 our county commissioners have approved over $7.8 million in construction projects under our Neighborhood Revitalization Pogram. That's almost double the amount of construction projects approved under the same program from Oct. 15, 2009 to October 15, 2010.
We already have over $11 million in construction projects planned in Mitchell County, KS for this Spring. This include a $5.2 million project being undertaken by Farmway Coop for a grain storage and handling facility in Glen Elder, KS; a $2.2 million addition and remodeling project for First National Bank in Beloit, KS; remodeling the former Beloit Juvenile Correctional Facility "lock down" facility into a joint city and county law enforcement center and jail; remodeling the cafeteria on the former correctional facility campus into a new library; the Crown Homes housing project that will add 10 new homes in Beloit totaling over $1.3 million in construction and several smaller commercial and residential building projects scheduled for this Spring.
It's exciting to see this magnitude of construction taking place in a county of approximatley 6,500 people. It shows a strong committment to investing in our community.
Another exciting development is the work being done by the North Campus Development Steering Committee. This is a committee made up of people from our community who will help create a plan for development of the North Campus (the former state Correctional Facility campus. The steering committee is focusing on development plans for approximtley 46 acres of agricultural land along and just south of U.S. Highway 24 in Beloit. Some of the land will be utilized for commercial growth along the highway. The committee is also looking at designating a portion of the land for additional housing.
This type of activity is a sign of positive economic growth in our community.
Since October 18, 2010 our county commissioners have approved over $7.8 million in construction projects under our Neighborhood Revitalization Pogram. That's almost double the amount of construction projects approved under the same program from Oct. 15, 2009 to October 15, 2010.
We already have over $11 million in construction projects planned in Mitchell County, KS for this Spring. This include a $5.2 million project being undertaken by Farmway Coop for a grain storage and handling facility in Glen Elder, KS; a $2.2 million addition and remodeling project for First National Bank in Beloit, KS; remodeling the former Beloit Juvenile Correctional Facility "lock down" facility into a joint city and county law enforcement center and jail; remodeling the cafeteria on the former correctional facility campus into a new library; the Crown Homes housing project that will add 10 new homes in Beloit totaling over $1.3 million in construction and several smaller commercial and residential building projects scheduled for this Spring.
It's exciting to see this magnitude of construction taking place in a county of approximatley 6,500 people. It shows a strong committment to investing in our community.
Another exciting development is the work being done by the North Campus Development Steering Committee. This is a committee made up of people from our community who will help create a plan for development of the North Campus (the former state Correctional Facility campus. The steering committee is focusing on development plans for approximtley 46 acres of agricultural land along and just south of U.S. Highway 24 in Beloit. Some of the land will be utilized for commercial growth along the highway. The committee is also looking at designating a portion of the land for additional housing.
This type of activity is a sign of positive economic growth in our community.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Residential Work Tops Neighborhood Revitalization
A more in depth look at last years Neighborhood Revitalization Program shows that housing construction and renovation was more dominant in the program cycle that ended October 14, 2010. During that time there were 18 resident construction and remodeling projects that totaled $1,845,946 in construction dollars. There were 8 agriculture related projects totaling $742,507 and 6 commercial projects totaling $1,961.705 spent on materials and labor.
There were a total of 33 construction projects approved in the Neighborhood Revitalization Program from October 16, 2009 to October 15 2010. Those represent a total of $4,550,158 spent on local construction. (This is not the amount of money rebated)
The construction projects were spread throughout the county.
Sixteen were in the City of Beloit; 10 were near Beloit; 2 were in Glen Elder; 2 were outside Glen Elder; 2 were in Tipton and 1 was outside Tipton.
There were a total of 33 construction projects approved in the Neighborhood Revitalization Program from October 16, 2009 to October 15 2010. Those represent a total of $4,550,158 spent on local construction. (This is not the amount of money rebated)
The construction projects were spread throughout the county.
Sixteen were in the City of Beloit; 10 were near Beloit; 2 were in Glen Elder; 2 were outside Glen Elder; 2 were in Tipton and 1 was outside Tipton.
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