Amador County – Members of Amador County Business Council and Amador Economic Development Corporation on Tuesday agreed to discuss collaboration or even a merger, to work on promoting economic development.

The Amador County Board of Supervisors asked for a new discussion after a request by the Business Council to fund formation of a new Economic Development Corporation (EDC).

Supervisor Chairman John Plasse said the “private sector brings a lot,” and the three groups would “all bring something to the table,” but he did not see it as a merging of the minds. Plasse said Amador Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) director Ron Mittelbrunn was asked to bring budget info forward in February, but had not done so, and AEDC’s Board hasn’t met since then.

Mittelbrunn said only the Executive Committee has met since then, and he operates his office from loan percentages. When no loans come, there is nothing to budget.

Supervisor Richard Forster said the county is “second or third in the running” when trying to get a lot of companies to locate here, and the problem is a lack of infrastructure. Mittelbrunn said Amador Central Business Park in Martell has high-powered real estate brokers that have not been successful because of wastewater capacity issues.

Mittelbrunn said “over 20 years, I have handled $44 million in loans” that have turned into 500 jobs. He said the Business Council “may think I am not doing a good job. They have a right to think what they want.” He agreed to a meeting.

Plasse said it “might be advantageous to merge the two of them,” and he wanted it discussed again, because they had not spoken since February when results were negative. Forster agreed they should not have redundancy of two different EDCs.

Foster said he supports Mittelbrunn because he knows what he has done. They have “walked the property out there” in Carbondale 2-3 times, and came in second place on a search for a Lowe’s location. “That’s not bad,” Forster said, “but you’re not going to win until you have the infrastructure in place.” He said “it will take $1 million to get a tank up there for water but how do you pay for it?”

Forster said it was “early I the process and they need a couple of issues worked out.” Supervisors Brian Oneto said he would like to “digest” the information given.

Debbie Dunn said “I see it as a pay-to-play, locally formed business council.” Forster said “I readily disagree,” saying “it’s a public-private partnership,” that is used all over the state, and “it’s a proven model that works.” The Board briefly discussed taking $15,000 from the TOT fund, and $10,000 from contingencies to fund the request, but sent it to the Admin Committee, to discuss with Mittelbrunn and Conklin.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.