Amador County Business Council in late July sought support for a new Economic Development Corporation, which the Amador County Board of Supervisors discussed last week.
Business Council Executive Director Jim Conklin told Supervisors that “everything would be built around choices.” He said it would “bring a significant portion of the private sector to the table,” and “we really need to be partners.”
Supervisor Richard Forster asked how the new group would help sell business sites that have been vacant for two years in Martell. Conklin said “the major investors are going to decide how the money is spent,” and it would also decide leadership of the new EDC, whether it was a director, or a public employee.
Conklin said “yes, we are asking for a political change” and “we want a better return.”
In public comment, Bill Condrashoff criticized the “one page letter” in the agenda packet that does not show how the money would be spent. He asked to see their “resumes” and qualifications for running an Economic Development Corporation.
Supervisor Louis Boitano said “I know a lot of people on the front page,” which was signed by the board of directors of the Amador County Business Council: Chairwoman Anne Platt, Vice Chair Paul Molinelli Junior, Ciro Toma, Ray Perry, Al Bozzo, and Stan Lukowicz.
Boitano said a successful EDC would try to promote business in Amador County. Supervisor Chairman John Plasse said he would like to see expansion and retention. Condrashoff said it was a “glorified chamber of commerce.”
Forster said the “whole idea is to spur the economy” and try to get businesses to come to the county.
Boitano said Conklin gave a written proposal to the Amador County Admin Committee two weeks ago, and CAO Chuck Iley said “it should have followed into the packet.”
Boitano said “they asked flat out for $25,000,” which the board discussed paying with TOT and contingencies funds. Plasse said it would be up to the new EDC board to decide whether to focus on retention and expansion, rather than attraction, and if it did, it would change the spectrum of its work.
Forster said they should have a way to measure results, such as by unemployment numbers. Plasse pointed out the federal government practice of counting “jobs saved.” Supervisor Brian Oneto said he was “having a pretty good day” until that was mentioned, but they should get “a pretty good bang” for their buck.
Supervisor Ted Novelli said he likes the idea of expanding existing companies. The Admin Committee was delegated to discuss the proposal with members of the Amador County Business Council, and the Amador Economic Development Corporation, to brink the issue back to the Board of Supervisors at a later date.
Story by Jim Reece. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Amador County Business Council in late July sought support for a new Economic Development Corporation, which the Amador County Board of Supervisors discussed last week.
Business Council Executive Director Jim Conklin told Supervisors that “everything would be built around choices.” He said it would “bring a significant portion of the private sector to the table,” and “we really need to be partners.”
Supervisor Richard Forster asked how the new group would help sell business sites that have been vacant for two years in Martell. Conklin said “the major investors are going to decide how the money is spent,” and it would also decide leadership of the new EDC, whether it was a director, or a public employee.
Conklin said “yes, we are asking for a political change” and “we want a better return.”
In public comment, Bill Condrashoff criticized the “one page letter” in the agenda packet that does not show how the money would be spent. He asked to see their “resumes” and qualifications for running an Economic Development Corporation.
Supervisor Louis Boitano said “I know a lot of people on the front page,” which was signed by the board of directors of the Amador County Business Council: Chairwoman Anne Platt, Vice Chair Paul Molinelli Junior, Ciro Toma, Ray Perry, Al Bozzo, and Stan Lukowicz.
Boitano said a successful EDC would try to promote business in Amador County. Supervisor Chairman John Plasse said he would like to see expansion and retention. Condrashoff said it was a “glorified chamber of commerce.”
Forster said the “whole idea is to spur the economy” and try to get businesses to come to the county.
Boitano said Conklin gave a written proposal to the Amador County Admin Committee two weeks ago, and CAO Chuck Iley said “it should have followed into the packet.”
Boitano said “they asked flat out for $25,000,” which the board discussed paying with TOT and contingencies funds. Plasse said it would be up to the new EDC board to decide whether to focus on retention and expansion, rather than attraction, and if it did, it would change the spectrum of its work.
Forster said they should have a way to measure results, such as by unemployment numbers. Plasse pointed out the federal government practice of counting “jobs saved.” Supervisor Brian Oneto said he was “having a pretty good day” until that was mentioned, but they should get “a pretty good bang” for their buck.
Supervisor Ted Novelli said he likes the idea of expanding existing companies. The Admin Committee was delegated to discuss the proposal with members of the Amador County Business Council, and the Amador Economic Development Corporation, to brink the issue back to the Board of Supervisors at a later date.
Story by Jim Reece. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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