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Goodland hires Merchant McIntyre for a 90‑day federal funding push at $10,000 a month
Summary
The Goodland City Commission approved a 90‑day contract with Merchant McIntyre Associates at $10,000 per month to prepare competitive federal grant applications and pursue EDA and congressional funding opportunities for infrastructure projects.
The Goodland City Commission voted to approve a 90‑day engagement with Merchant McIntyre Associates to develop competitive federal grant applications and pursue congressional and Economic Development Administration funding opportunities.
The contract commits $10,000 per month for three months, to be drawn from electric department reserves, with a scheduled evaluation at the end of the 90‑day term to determine whether to continue for the rest of the year. City staff told commissioners the firm has already made contact with the EDA and has experience pursuing congressionally directed spending; Merchant McIntyre’s materials cited prior successes and a representative named Brent summarized the firm’s scope.
Staff described the work scope in the consultant’s proposal: develop an EDA application, produce a federal‑funding strategy and grants grid, perform a resource inventory, pursue congressional earmarks and prepare applications that could make Goodland competitive for grants that, in staff’s estimate, might cover up to 60% of a potential $6–7 million electrical infrastructure project.
Commissioners asked about measurable deliverables and timelines and acknowledged the cost’s upfront nature. Several commissioners compared the scale of potential grants to moving from “minor‑league” to “major‑league” competitions and said the city’s internal grant capacity is unlikely to compete for multi‑million‑dollar awards without outside help. The commission approved the initial 90‑day authorization (motion by Commissioner Redland, second by Commissioner Myers) on a roll‑call vote.
The contract includes: a defined 90‑day scope at $10,000/month, a staff‑embedded role for the consultant during the contract, and an evaluation point at 90 days that will determine whether the engagement continues. The commission directed staff to monitor deliverables and performance and to bring results back at the contract’s conclusion.
Provenance: discussion and vendor packet materials (Merchant McIntyre) presented at the meeting; commissioners’ questions and roll‑call approval recorded during the formal action portion of the meeting.
Next steps: staff will monitor Merchant McIntyre’s progress and report to the commission at the end of the 90‑day period for a decision on whether to continue the contract.
