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Commissioners approve submission of final invoices to close out GEM grant; EDC asks county to consider small overage
Summary
The board moved and approved submission of final invoices to close out a Department of Commerce GEM grant; the EDC said a final invoice put its work about $5 over budget and asked whether remaining economic development funds could cover the small overage.
The Valley County Board of Commissioners voted on May 26 to allow the Economic Development Council (EDC) to submit final invoices to close out a Department of Commerce GEM grant used for a regional housing needs assessment and implementation support.
EDC Executive Director Lindsay Harris told the board the county previously used $20,000 for gap funding on the needs assessment and that the EDC had an additional $15,000 for implementation support. Harris said the EDC paid invoices up front and sought signatures on two documents so the county could request reimbursement from the state. “We have these 2 documents that would require Chairman Moppin’s signature... the invoices themselves and then also the authorization to request reimbursement,” she said.
Commissioner Thompson moved to submit the final invoices and close out the GEM grant; the motion was seconded and commissioners voted in favor. Harris said the final invoice put the EDC approximately $5 over the intended budget and asked whether remaining economic development funds could be allocated to cover that small outlay; commissioners said funds were available and asked the EDC to return with a formal request if necessary.
Harris also reviewed a year of regional workforce and small‑business programming supported by county funding, including a small‑business summit, Commerce Connect outreach and classes intended to reach multiple communities in the region. She said materials created during the GEM‑funded work will be hosted on the EDC website and that a five‑year update requirement in a memorandum of understanding with a partner (Perpetua) will help maintain the data.
Why it matters: Closing the grant finalizes reimbursement to the EDC for work completed on a housing needs assessment that regional planners and small‑business programs used; the EDC’s request to cover a minor $5 overage indicates the county has available economic development funds but that the organization prefers to return with formal paperwork for any additional allocation.
