The Benton County Economic Development group met in Lincoln’s City Hall. JoAnn Lane began the meeting by reporting on Broadband progress around the County. She noted Edwards 5-6 areas still under construction. The new BEAD program (Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment) will offer ways to fill in the missing gaps in availability in certain areas.
JoAnn reported work is still underway on “The Vault” in downtown Warsaw and the installation of the windows has begun. Ms. Lane then moved on to say she is still working and moving forward on possible new businesses for the area.
JoAnn stated the RFSI grant she and Amie Breshears have been working on for a local business is once more stalled with the grantors requesting additional information before making the award.
Ms Lane said the Credit Workshop was poorly attended with several enrolling and then were no-shows. She stated she and Ms. Breshears are studying new approaches to bring this important financial tool to the area.
In addition she reported there had been a small business administration(SBA) meeting conducted as well as the Women’s Business Center (WBC) held their first in person meeting.
Amie Breshears, Benton County Extension, shared the Progressive Ag Safety Day at Lincoln School went very well with over 500 people involved. Amie said ‘This is really a great way to teach safety to kids that are around such equipment as ATVs and side by sides.”
Amie reminded the group she was still hosting the “On my own,” classes on December 10. The program gives great pointers in farm management. She noted the Benton County Cattlemen Trade Show is November 2 in Lincoln’s Foster Hall. The doors open at 5 pm.
Amie said she hoped everyone would buy a raffle ticket for the Stevens 243 gun being raffled. The funds raised are providing Scholarships for a senior from all three schools in the county.
JoAnn reported the Benton County Clerks luncheon went very well and she is impressed at how the Mayor’s meetings have grown to include other counties.
Lynette Stokes from Benton County Tourism told the group she was holding a Perception Study meeting immediately following and hoped everyone would stay. She said “It’s a report on the study done to see how well the Tourism marketing money is working.”
The subject of the Rock Island Trail came up and JoAnn reported the Cole Camp City Council has rejected the grant to move ahead with the Trailhead project. A retired State Parks employee was present and said, “I worked on the Katy Trail during my career and that trail had so much resistance when it was first being built. Now it has a 3 million dollar impact on the area it passes through. The Rock Island will be built eventually and it is going to be an even better bike trail than the Katy just because of the areas it travels through.” JoAnn Lane then shared that pieces of the RIT are currently being done by small towns along the way.
It was decided there would be no meeting in November as it is so close to Thanksgiving. Also they are hoping to hold a meeting at Lost Valley Hatchery at Warsaw so a date in early December will be set later. On a last minute note it was announced the new owners of Cumberland Gap are planning a holiday event at the pioneer village on December 14-15. The meeting adjourned.
