Woods County approves $35,000 annual contribution after economic development presentation

The Woods County Board of County Commissioners voted to pay $35,000 to the county economic development program following an interview with Jeremy Miller, a representative of the Industrial Economic Development Authority, who outlined grant-funded site-preparation work, a revolving loan fund and recruitment efforts for a new industrial park.

Miller told commissioners the county contribution is “the main reason is to secure the 35,000 that we get annually from the county commissioners.” He said that county support acts as an anchor to leverage additional funding for local projects.

Miller said the Industrial Economic Development Authority has secured large grant awards and other financing, including “50,000,000 through ARPA and 5,000,000 through prep.” He described ARPA funding as targeted “solely to water and sewage to, help us in creating new industrial park.” He added that the authority had obtained a $100,000 USDA award to create a revolving loan fund and later clarified the award amount: “We actually got 99,999 because if you are under $1 from that 6 digit, it saves you from twice as much paperwork.” Miller said two local businesses have received loans from that fund so far.

Miller described the site strategy for new industrial development. He said a prior engineering estimate indicated it would cost about $70,000,000 to make an older site shovel-ready for heavy manufacturing, and that consultants recommended acquiring a different parcel. He said the new parcel is being developed as “site ready” and contractors have been invited to a pre-bid meeting; he said bids will be opened at the next Authority meeting. “So by the next ABAR meeting, any bids that are submitted will be opening,” Miller said.

Miller also discussed other economic development options under consideration for the area, including transloading and recycling or storage uses for certain land near a rail-certified site. He said the rail site is certified by BNSF and that transloading remains “not out of the question.” He said he is exploring a foreign-trade zone designation to improve recruitment appeal.

Commission discussion focused on oversight and board membership for the authority and on how the county contribution supports the Authority’s ability to secure grants. After questions, a commissioner moved to proceed with the $35,000 payment to economic development; the board voted in favor.

Miller also described business-support services tied to the loan fund, including a six-month interest-only start for new borrowers and business consultations provided by Miller and a partner at the technology center. “After that 6 months, they'll start paying the interest and the principal back,” he said, and added that typical loan terms in the two recent cases were five years.

The county payment covered the authority’s annual contribution; Miller said county support helps the authority leverage grant opportunities and attract private investment for site-preparation and utility improvements. He said the ARPA funds supporting water and sewer work must be used before the ARPA expiration timeframe, which he described as by the end of 2026.

The board thanked Miller for the presentation and approved the payment.