General Meetings:

April 3- Pre-board meeting

April 3- Frontier Energy Group, LLC, recognized as Colorado Company to Watch

April 5- LCEDC monthly board meeting

April 5- Rich met with Logan Co. Commissioners and wind company, Acciona Energy

April 6- Rich on conference call with new prospect Project T-Bar

April 10- SURA regular board meeting

April 11- Scott Szabo convened meeting with state representatives on high water issues.

April 12- Rich attended Progressive 15 Spring Conference in Yuma as board member

April 13- Rich met with downtown property owners on potential site for Project T-Bar

April 13- Rich met with local developer on special project

April 13- Chamber BAH at Plainsman Grill

April 16- Rich showed Project T-Bar site selector two potential sites in Sterling

April 19- Rich attended NJC Advisory Board meeting

April 20- Citizens Advisory Board (CAB) held monthly meeting at LCEDC office

April 23- Rich and Brad met with LCEDC member Misty Canada at Sykes Enterprises

April 24- Several members attended DCI seminar in Brush on “Planning for Downtown Revitalization”.

April 25- Several members met with Rick Cables, Director Colorado Parks and Wildlife, following his Rotary presentation. Local citizens are working to improve services at North Sterling Reservoir and State Park.

April 25-27- Jim Neblett and Rich attended the Economic Development Council of Colorado (EDCC) Spring Conference in Estes Park.

April 30- Chamber of Commerce monthly board meeting

Economic developments: 

Project Green/New Industrial Park- UPDATE 11/1: Star Clean Oil, LLC, sent their Commencement Notice to Logan County Board of Commissioners to advise they are moving ahead with their rail development plans.  There are planning to begin construction early in 2012. UPDATE 12/1: The ballot questions authorizing PID bond financing was approved at the Nov. 1^st election. On Nov. 29, LCEDC and Logan County representatives participated in a teleconference call with SCO investor/partners and financing advisors. UPDATE 3/1: The report from SCO is their project “is moving along faster” with one financing group.  They are travelling with this potential group the week of Feb. 27 to complete due diligence visits to similar facilities. UPDATE 5/1: SCO reports that all efforts are being made to finalize their financing commitments. They are communicating with the State and LCEDC about possible extension agreements if commitments are not received by May 19^th.

Sterling Municipal Airport and Crosson Field-. UPDATE 4/1: City Council confirmed their agreement with the FBO consultant this past week. UPDATE 5/1: Michael Dye, FBO consultant is planning initial report to City week of 5/7.

Three Prototype Buildings- UPDATE 10/1: We have submitted our prototype buildings to the two State Prospects listed above. UPDATE 5/1:  We are in discussions with Bruce Glass, Architects Group, to update contractor bids.

East Cheyenne Underground Gas Storage- UPDATE 6/1: Merchant Energy Partners, LLC, held their ground-breaking ceremony at the Peetz
site on May 23, 2011.  UPDATE 10/1: The construction phase is rapidly moving ahead with Manzek Construction on site and delivery of the large compressor installation.  At final build-out, this will be a $300 million project with up to 20 full-time jobs. There are 100 construction workers on site and that work is expected to run 2011 through 2012. UPDATE 5/1: Initial test results are positive for
increasing the storage capacity at the Peetz site. The project manager reports that eleven new wells are planned which will continue expansion and further development into 2013.

Colorado Highlands Wind, LLC, wind farm project north of Fleming: UPDATE 4/1:  On March 2, Tri-State announced a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Colorado Highlands
Wind, LLC, to provide 67MW on 5,200 acres north and northeast of Fleming in Logan County.  The general contractor, RMT Inc., is working on the site to locate the O&M building and begin
construction.  The company plans to complete and begin supplying power by Dec. 31, 2012. UPDATE 5/1: Project is on schedule with work on the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) building
and initial layout underway.

Compass Wind’s Galien project has returned for a re-permitting process in Logan County. They are planning 16 utility-scale turbines in Phase I located southwest
of Fleming and 70 at total build out. UPDATE 5/1: No progress to report.

Haxtun Wind, LLC, applied for DOE permits for 18 utility-scale turbines to be located partially in both Logan and Phillips Counties just south of Haxtun. UPDATE 5/1: No progress to report.

Steve Raabe, the author’s article, notes that “by many measures, the rural economy is finally booming after years of recession.”

Raabe cites rising grain prices and the resulting purchases by farmers for the near-boom, and he describes the “trickle-down effect” on retail sales, particularly in Logan County.  The impact is also felt in land prices, which have soared in recent years.

To read the full report on denverpost.com, click here.

According to a report in the March 7 edition of the South Platte Sentinel, sales tax collections for the first two months of 2012 are slightly behind (1.62%) 2011 collections.  However, when the numbers are adjusted for a one-time anomoly in January 2011, sales tax collections for 2012 are actually running 4.71% ahead of 2011.

Sales tax collections for 2012 are also ahead of budgeted collections by 2.43%, so the local economy appears to be exceeding expectations for the second consecutive year.

For a full report, as well as a 10-year history of Sterling sales tax collections, read the full article in the Sentinel.

The agreement, made with Business Presentation Solutions, seeks the following (in phases) from the consultant:

1. A business assessment of the airport’s facilities and equipment, market compeition, and financials.
2. A business development plan to attract a private fixed-based operator and other aviation business.
3. Representation for the City in attracting a fixed-based operator and other aviation businesses.

An FBO is a commercial business given the right to operate on the airport and provide services like fueling, hangaring, tie-down and parking, aircraft rental, aircraft maintenance, flight instruction, and other general aviation services.

For more information, click here to view the 2-29-12 issue fo the South Platte Sentinel, which provides full coverage of the 2-28-12 Council Meeting.

“According to LCEDC Executive Director Rich O’Connell, 20 categories of priorities were mentioned, discussed and prioritized by those in attendance at the planning meeting.  After each participant was given the opportunity to  list his/her top priorities, five specific priorities rose to the top, with each mentioned by at least 10 of those present.

‘Those (priorities) are our marching orders so to speak,’ O’Connell said.  ‘We will incorporate them into our strategic plan and work on those projects.’

The top five priorities (in no particular order) that were identified by the community members for the LCEDC are:

• Beautification;
• Community foundation/grant writer;
• Downtown revitalization;
• Oil and gas industry;
• Retirement planning.

O’Connell explained that the ‘beautification’ aspect is basically a compilation of the 2010 concept plan devised by Colorado State University graduate students and funded by the Department of Local Affairs.  Beautification ideas, noted O’Connell, include street-scaping from the east entrance of Sterling to and including West Main Street.

A community foundation is composed primarily of permanent funds established by many separate donors for the long-term benefits of the residents of a defined geographic area.  Community foundations provide services to donors who wish to establish endowed funds without incurring the administrative and legal costs of starting independent foundations.”

“The ‘grant writer’ portion of that priority, O’Connell noted, would be supported by the foundation factor and could be used by various groups or agencies who aren’t able to hire an exclusive grant writer.

Downtown revitalization covers several issues, such as the development of the S-curve, traffic flow reform and for the encouragement of development in downtown Sterling.

The oil and gas industry was identified as a priority in regards to increasing operations in the near region.  The focus of those attending the planning meeting was for identifying strategies for attracting related businesses to the community.”

For “retirement planning,” the community members directed the LCEDC to identify strategies for keeping older adults and future generations in the community.

With those priorities set, O’Connell said his office will be working on a more comprehensive set of results from the data gathered.  The data will be part of the LCEDC’s goals moving forward.”

General Meetings:

Nov. 1 Executive Committee meeting

Nov. 1 Rich O. met with BOCC re: billboard sign at I-76

Nov. 2 NECO members met with Ken Lund, new Exec. Director, Colorado OEDIT

Nov. 3 LCEDC monthly board meeting

Nov. 3 Dan Long and Rich O. met with dairy industry representative, Tom Haren

Nov. 4 Jim Neblett and Rich O. met with BOCC re: Star Clean Oil, LLC, notice

Nov. 7 LCEDC hosted Progressive 15 Logan County Caucus to discuss legislative issues

Nov. 7 Rich O. attended Logan County budget public meeting

Nov. 8 Rich O. met with Cheryl Scofield, USDA Rural Development

Nov. 8 CSU/DOLA committee held a final meeting on downtown beautification and
will be re-organized as the Advisory Committee to City Council

Nov. 9 LCEDC Strategic Planning Committee met to update plan dated October, 2010

Nov. 10 Joint Committee SURA/LCEDC held its monthly meeting

Nov. 11 Rich O. met with Larry Mohnsen, manager of Bomgaars, for soft opening.

Nov. 12 Rich O. and other board members attended the Fall Gala of Logan County
Chamber of Commerce

Nov. 14 Rich O. met with dairy prospect land owners

Nov. 14 Rich O. met with Scott Stump’s Labor Day golf tournament committee

Nov. 16 Target Industry Committee had regular meeting

Nov. 16 Rich O. attended the NECALG board meeting and presented economic updates

Nov. 17 NECO held its monthly meeting in Akron

Nov. 17 EDD Advisory Committee met in Akron

Nov. 18 Targeted Industry Oil and Gas breakfast at Plainsman Grill

Nov. 18 Rich O. met with downtown property owner on a confidential project

Nov. 22 Rich O. met with Scott Stump, Jason Haslett, and Stanton Gartin at NJC re:
possible training programs for local welder/fabricators.

Nov. 28 Rich O. and Kim Sellers met at the request of George Hunt with Debbie Zwirn,
Tom Bedford, and two representatives of State Parks: Heather Dugan and Dave
Piper re: improvements to North Sterling State Park and concessionaire contract

Nov. 29 Executive Committee met for pre-board meeting.

Nov. 29 Rob Nichols, Rocky Joy and Rich O. met with Joe Kiolbasa, Curt Penny at City
Re: CDOT work and IGA for traffic engineering downtown and “S” curve.

Nov. 29 Rich O. held conference call with Star Clean Oil attorney re: Logan County
Industrial Park.

Economic developments:

Project Green/New Industrial Park- UPDATE 11/1: Star Clean Oil, LLC, sent their Commencement Notice to Logan County Board of Commissioners to advise they are moving ahead with their rail development plans. There are planning to begin construction early in 2012. UPDATE 12/1: The ballot questions authorizing PID bond financing was approved at the Nov. 1st election. On Nov. 29, LCEDC and Logan County representatives participated in a teleconference call with SCO investor/partners and financing advisors.

State Prospect EP 11-0627- Blue Sky- LCEDC submitted our proposal on July 1 for this manufacturer of wind turbines. UPDATE 10/1: The State OEDIT has notified us that proposals from six Colorado counties have been reviewed by the prospect, but no further action has been taken. UPDATE 11/1: No progress to report. UPDATE 12/1: No progress to report.

State Prospect #11-831 Manufacturer of tree/brush cutting equipment- LCEDC submitted our proposal on Sept. 21. UPDATE 11/1: No progress to report. UPDATE 12/1: No progress to report.

Sterling Municipal Airport/ Crosson Field-. UPDATE 3/1: Joe Kiolbasa, Larry Fetzer and Rich O’Connell met with an airport operations consultant to discuss future development at the airport. UPDATE 11/1: Further discussions with operations consultants have been postponed until after new City Council members are seated.

Three Prototype Buildings- UPDATE 10/1: We have submitted our prototype buildings to the two State Prospects listed above. UPDATE 12/1: We are in discussions with Bruce Glass, Architects Group, to update contractor bids in 2012.

East Cheyenne Underground Gas Storage- UPDATE 6/1: Merchant Energy Partners, LLC, held their ground-breaking ceremony at the Peetz site on May 23rd. Governor Hickenlooper attended and also visited the NextEra Energy wind farm developments. UPDATE 10/1: The construction phase is rapidly moving ahead with Manzek Construction on site and delivery of the large compressor installation. At final build-out, this will be a $300 million project with up to 20 full-time jobs. There are 100 construction workers on site and that work is expected to run 2011 through 2012.

Colorado Highlands Wind, LLC, project north of Fleming continues as a viable project and the developers continue to seek a power purchase agreement (PPA) with various electric utilities. UPDATE 8/1: Colorado Highland’s managing partners have re-submitted their project to a utility located outside the State. UPDATE 12/1: No progress to report.

The following summary provides a highlight of the various monthly activities for the Logan County Economic Development Corporation (“LCEDC”). All activities are not described in the summary, but rather some of the more visual activities of the LCEDC are presented.

General Meetings:

Oct. 4 Executive Committee meeting

Oct. 4 Rich presented the LCEDC annual budget request at City Council

Oct. 5 Joint Committee representatives met with Randy Finley re: Woolworth Bldg.

Oct. 5 Rich attended State CCC ceremony at Plainsman Grill

Oct. 6 LCEDC held its regular monthly meeting

Oct. 11 SURA held its regular bi-monthly meeting

Oct. 13 I spoke on the CrossTalk radio program

Oct. 13 LCEDC board members met to kick-off our membership drive

Oct. 14 Rich attended physician recruitment breakfast at Sterling Regional MedCenter

Oct. 14 LCEDC hosted Business After Hours (BAH) at our office

Oct. 15 Rich attended NJC ceremony honoring scholarship donations

Oct. 16 Rich, Rocky and Scott Stump presented at Rocky Mtn Farmers Union seminar

Oct. 18 Rich and Brad met with two prospects at the office

Oct. 18 Rich presented at Sterling Women’s Connection dinner at Plainsman Grill

Oct. 24 Rich attended Colorado Community College seminar in Denver

Oct. 24 Rich participated in Progressive 15 conference call board meeting

Oct. 26 Rich attended SIFE update meeting as member of Advisory Board

Oct. 27 Rich, Loretta and Scott Stump attended NECO meetings in Sedgwick, CO.

Oct. 28 Rich, Kim Sellers and Laurie Jones attended CSU Regional Engagement Center
planning session at Sterling facility.

Economic Developments:

Project Green/New Industrial Park- UPDATE 11/1: Star Clean Oil, LLC, sent their Commencement Notice to Logan County Board of Commissioners to advise they are moving ahead with their rail development plans. There are planning to begin construction early in 2012.

State Prospect EP 11-0627- Blue Sky- LCEDC submitted our proposal on July 1 for this manufacturer of wind turbines. UPDATE 10/1: The State OEDIT has notified us that proposals from six Colorado counties have been reviewed by the prospect, but no further action has been taken. UPDATE 11/1: No progress to report.

State Prospect #11-831 Manufacturer of tree/brush cutting equipment- LCEDC submitted our proposal on Sept. 21. UPDATE 11/1: No progress to report.

Sterling Municipal Airport/ Crosson Field-. UPDATE 3/1: Joe Kiolbasa, Larry Fetzer and Rich O’Connell met with an airport operations consultant to discuss future development at the airport. UPDATE 11/1: Further discussions with operations consultants have been postponed until after new City Council members are seated.

Three Prototype Buildings- UPDATE 10/1: We have submitted our prototype buildings to the two State Prospects listed above.

East Cheyenne Underground Gas Storage- UPDATE 6/1: Merchant Energy Partners, LLC, held their ground-breaking ceremony at the Peetz site on May 23rd. Governor Hickenlooper attended and also visited the NextEra Energy wind farm developments. UPDATE 10/1: The construction phase is rapidly moving ahead with Manzek Construction on site and delivery of the large compressor installation. At final build-out, this will be a $300 million project with up to 20 full-time jobs. There are 100 construction workers on site and that work is expected to run 2011 through 2012.

Colorado Highlands Wind, LLC, project north of Fleming continues as a viable project and the developers continue to seek a power purchase agreement (PPA) with various electric utilities. UPDATE 8/1: Colorado Highland’s managing partners have re-submitted their project to a utility located outside the State. UPDATE 11/1: No progress to report.

The tax, which will be paid on the short-term leasing, rental or furnishingn of any specified lodging services in the City of Sterling, will be utilized for the purpose of raising funds to promote tourism, conventions and community beautification within the City of Sterling. Collected taxes will be held in a fund separate from the city’s general fund, and recommendations regarding use of the hotel taxe revenues will be made to the City Council by an advisory board appointed by the Council.

Thirty eight percent (38%) of the tax will be remitted to Logan County for the continuation of the County’s efforts to advertise and market local tourism, including the operation and maintenance of the Tourism Center.

The passage of Referendum 2X potentially provides additional support for the vision(s) generated by two state-assisted projects in 2010: the Community Economic Development (CED) Assessment and the CSU/DOLA Rural Technical Assistance Program. Progress toward achievement of the vision generated by these projects continues through the work of two committees within the community.

“As partners in this initiative, we wanted to give you a direct link to review Version 1.0 of the Colorado Blueprint, released earlier this week.

You can find the document at www.colorado.gov/coloradoblueprint

The Colorado Blueprint v1.0 is the next step in taking the “bottom-up” economic development planning initiative into the business plan for Colorado. It also further develops our foundation to continue working together, based on your inputs and ideas. We are grateful for your participation and guidance in this process.”

The Logan County Economic Development Corporation is calling on its members for help in completing a summary of economic activity in the county.

Logan County is in a state-defined enterprise zone, which provides incentives to companies who contribute to the economic development of the county. Because of that, LCEDC must prepare an annual report that includes a summary of economic activity, particularly job creation and capital investment related to business start-up and business expansion.

Information about specific businesses is kept confidential. The report is simply a summary of total new businesses, jobs created and capital invested.

LCEDC is looking for Logan County businesses to let them know if they created any jobs or invested capital in expansion in 2011, or tell them of any businesses that may have done so.

Information may be sent to Executive Director Rich O’Connell at director@sterling-logan.com, or Assistant Brad Barton at assistant@sterling-logan.com, or by phone, (970) 521-7196.