Planning for the future
January 26 2010
By Forrest Hershberger, Journal-Advocate editor
STERLING — Thursday evening, the Logan County Economic Development Corporation (LCEDC) held its annual meeting.
This meeting reported on the financial health of the organization, achievements and goals, and election of new board members.
One of the first reports was by Mike Lauer on the fiscal condition of the organization.
“Financially, we did have a good year,” Lauer said.
Lauer added that financial stability is not the sole purpose of the LCEDC. The mission statement of the organization says that the “Logan County Economic Development Corporation is to provide leadership and assistance to Gary Nichols, left, and Sterling Mayor Larry Fetzer share a few thoughts during the Logan County Economic Development Corporation meeting Thursday. (Forrest Hershberger/Journal-Advocate)all Logan County communities in their efforts to grow, while improving their economic stability and diversity.”
LCEDC President Rob Nichols noted that the economic condition of Sterling and Logan County, while better off than many other regions in the state and nation, are still feeling the impact of the recession. The city of Sterling reported that taxable sales decreased slight through Dec. 2009 from $195,587,000 to $190,126,300, a loss of 2.8 percent. Retail sales in Logan County through Oct. 31, 2009 were at $394,408,000 to compared to $450,860,000 during the same period in 2008. for a loss of 12.5 percent.
The Colorado Department of Revenue retail sales data shows 2009 retail sales estimated at $530,654,000 for all of Logan County, down almost $50 million from 2008.
Nichols posed the question many business owners and community leaders are trying to answer: “Are we in a downturn, is the economy climbing out of it, or are things getting worse?” The question is easier than the answer, according to Nichols. He said it is too early, and too difficult, to predict the economic trend. What he did say is that businesses need to stay forward-thinking Sterling City Manager Joe Kiolbasa, left, and Logan County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kim Sellers discuss business during a meet and greet at the Logan County Economic Development Corp. meeting Thursday. (Forrest Hershberger/Journal-Advocate)in order to survive the economy.
“We think that when there a downturn, it is hard to pick up, but when (the economy) turns around, (the companies who stayed in business) are the ones who succeed,” Nichols said.
He said finding ways to conduct business in more efficient methods during a downturn economy can benefit the company who continues those practices when the healthy economy returns.
LCEDC Director Rich O’Connell reported on several advancements in business for 2009. NextEra Energy Resources completed another 81 wind turbines, each producing 175 megawatts (MW) of electricity for a total of 608 MW of energy. An additional 197 towers have been permitted, so more work is expected in 2010/2011, O’Connell said.
OREG-4, a joint energy recovery project of Highline Electric, Omart, Kinder Morgan and Tri-State, began operations in June. The project generates 3.2 MW of energy from the Trailblazer pipleline, according to O’Connell’s report.
O’Connell also reported that LCEDC assisted nine new or expanded businesses, representing $480 million in new capital investments and 26 new full-time jobs. ARRA Stimulus funding in amounted to $650,000 for workforce and job creation, $431,000 for weatherization/low income and $1.4 million for public schools.
There are some business ventures the LCEDC is pursuing. One of the projects is “Project Green.” Project Green, while not fully identified, is expected to be in the new industrial park LCEDC is working with Logan County to design.
“The process (of Project Green) has been going on for about 18 months,” O’Connell said.
The plans are for the company to begin construction at the new industrial park this year.
“It is an environmentally friendly business,” he said. He said the company is expected to start with 50 positions of above-average pay.
The industrial park is a 100-acre site about 2 1/2 miles east of Sterling off of U.S. Highway 6. The LCEDC is also working on agreement that will provide rail service to the industrial park as well.
Other developments expected to occur this year are:
• Opening of the David Walsh Cancer Center at Sterling Regional MedCenter in August,
• Construction of a new dorm at Northeastern Junior College,
• Extension of the runway at the Sterling Municipal Airport
• And, construction of a new water treatment facility in Sterling.
Steve Meter announced the LCEDC membership needed to elect three new board members Thursday. He said the membership needed to select three members from six candidates. The candidates were: Lance Bolton, Persiphone James, Brad Lebsock, Dan long, David McClain and Alex Wright. The membership selected Lance Bolton and Dan Long each to serve a second three-year term, and Alex Wright to serve his first term on the board.
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