Platte County Economic Development asks Wheatland for clearer deliverables, more funding support

Representatives of Platte County Economic Development (PCED) asked the Wheatland City Council during a budget hearing to consider additional compensation beyond the $7,000 membership dues the town currently pays and to increase cooperation with county officials.

Bob, identified in the meeting as a PCED representative, introduced Afaq Josephine as PCED’s new executive director and said she will attend council meetings to deliver reports. Matthew, a PCED representative, described the group’s long-running economic-condition report work — originally prepared by Bill Bridal and later handled by former PCED director Tracy — and said PCED would like the council to consider payment “in addition to the dues” for preparing that monthly report.

Matthew said the report tracks metrics the organization believes matter to the town, including utility service connections, average age of residents and housing trends. “We continue to perform that service for the town of Wheatland, and we were hoping that in addition to the dues, the $7,000 that you agreed to pay, if we could possibly discuss payment for the services of preparing that report,” he said.

Several speakers, including Kelly (identified in the meeting as a council participant), pressed PCED representatives for more evidence that the reports lead to tangible economic-development results. Kelly said she values the metrics but asked for proof of active outreach to businesses and developers and examples of recruitment that would not harm existing local businesses. “I’m not gonna give you more money for something that I’m not seeing any effort out of other than putting some numbers together,” she said.

PCED representatives acknowledged limits on their capacity. A PCED speaker said the organization currently has one employee and cannot offer benefits, and urged closer coordination among the town, county commissioners and the local chamber of commerce to achieve development goals. “Until we can all work together and have some good talks and discussions, Wheatland is gonna continue to get older,” a PCED representative said.

Council members and PCED discussed adjusting the report cadence; Kelly suggested quarterly or twice-yearly reporting instead of monthly if the data do not change often. PCED offered to alter frequency if the council prefers. The budget hearing ended without a formal vote on additional funding for PCED or a change to the town’s dues; council members adjourned the budget hearing and moved on to the regular meeting.

The discussion included repeated concerns about housing availability for potential new employees and the need for targeted outreach to businesses that complement — rather than compete with — existing local firms. PCED representatives said they plan to continue outreach and membership support, and introduced Josephine as the new staff member who will take part in those efforts.