City, County Talk Growth

Officials at the Kimball city-county joint meeting Tuesday voted to move forward with plans to form a committee to study and research countywide economic development.

The discussion focused on learning from Keith and Dawes counties.

The future of the Windbreak restaurant property at Four Winds Golf Course was the other item up for discussion. No decision was made whether to purchase the Windbreak for use as a golf pro shop, as has been discussed as a possibility, but a committee was formed to investigate purchasing the property.

Mayor John Morrison said the city has no desire to run a restaurant.

Under one option, the city/county would lease out the food part of the operation similar to how it is done at the Gering golf course. The back room could have a golf simulator, and other ideas could be explored.

Michael Reuter, a Windbreak owner, presented an overview of the potential purchase of RF Investments property.

City Councilwoman Christy Warner said she had strong concerns about whether a restaurant would be sustainable. She said the committee would need to look at the true potential.

County Commissioner Carl Stander said he didn’t think that government should compete with businesses.

Warner and Stander voted against forming the committee, but the other council and commission members voted in favor of a committee to study factors involved with the purchase for 30 days.

Some members of the public in attendance at the meeting gave input. Among their concerns was how much the city and county might contribute to the venture, and from where the money would be come.