Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Regional economic development plan

The City of Kimball was invited, as was nearly all the Panhandle municipalities, to join an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement for Economic Development Purposes.

Council authorized Mayor Keith Prunty to sign the agreement, effectively joining the City of Kimball to the regional economic development cooperative.

Originally started in Scottsbluff, this agreement allows for entities throughout the area to join forces when requesting funds from the state. Council member Christy Warner was selected to represent the Kimball City Council on that committee.

“It is the Western Nebraska Economic Development and each of the cities and counties were invited to participate to work together,” Warner said.

This is a regional strategic effort to garner resources for this side of the state, according to City Administrator Daniel Ortiz.

The City of Kimball is already a member of the Panhandle Area Development District, a cooperative unit with members throughout the panhandle, which led to questions about how the two organizations differ.

“In my mind I view the Panhandle Area Development District as a resource and coordinating entity, whereas the regional economic development cooperative may likely serve as a facilitator of economic development ventures and legislative initiatives,” Ortiz said. “I know this is vague but it goes back that the economic development cooperative is still developing and hasn’t yet established what it’s identity and role will be. It’s completely starting from the ground up and still taking shape. Kimball is a founding member that was invited to participate and contributes to discussions of its formation.”

Ortiz continued that though either organization could make the same accomplishment, doing so may require additional personnel for PADD, which may be spread too think if it takes on a large initiative.

Warner stated that concerns she had heard include the possibility that the smaller towns in the cooperative won’t benefit as much when it comes to which projects are funded.

“What I can tell you is that each person that sits at the table gets a vote,” Warner said. “There are a lot more little cities and towns and villages then there are big ones, so I think it does equal out at the table.”

“It is just in its infancy so they don’t have any projects yet,” Warner said. “We have only had two meetings. They did ask that each of the councils come up with a wish list of things they would like to see done.”

The items that would be on the wish list for Kimball have not yet been determined, and the group has yet to decide who would decide what to take to the table as far as needs.

The group also asked for a small fee, $50, to cover each entity’s annual membership.

“Right now all that is being asked is $50. If significantly more funding is being requested then the item would have to be discussed as part of annual budget considerations but the City would not contribute to the point that it leaves Kimball with only a minimal amount for our own community,” Ortiz stated.

Though Kimball County has been invited to join, they have not yet committed to the cooperative and to date neither have Harrisburg or Sidney.

“The other thing I would mention is that some of the cities and counties that are not listed on this interlocal agreement have been invited to sit at the table but have not gone through their councils or maybe have not shown up at the meetings or shown their interest yet,” Warner stated.

The door will not be closed to those entities, they can join at any time, she added.

“It is really in its infancy so it is unique that we are involved at this point,” Ortiz said.

 
 
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