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Economic development director updates commissioners on signage lease, grants and business outreach
Summary
Economic development director Jenny Stapman briefed commissioners on a proposed five‑year $7,800 sign lease, tourism and promotional work, Department of Commerce grant opportunities including a 'Revive and Thrive' downtown renovation grant (up to $100,000), RA Build engineering RFP recommendations, and work supporting regional energy and housing projects.
Economic development director Jenny Stapman reviewed several ongoing projects and grant opportunities, and briefed commissioners on outreach to businesses and regional partners.
Stapman told the commission a five‑year lease renewal was proposed for a highway sign currently rented from a private owner at $1,560 per year ($7,800 paid upfront for five years if approved) and said she believed that rate was comparable to other local signage arrangements.
She outlined tourism and marketing work planned with the Chamber of Commerce, including a county promotional table at a regional boating, hunting and fishing expo and a promotional video being produced with Ethereal Lens Media. Stapman also described County assistance for downtown businesses pursuing a Department of Commerce signage grant that would cover 75% of signage costs for selected downtowns.
Stapman said the Department of Commerce has opened a "Revive and Thrive" grant that can fund up to $100,000 for downtown building renovations that include community spaces, co‑working or pop‑up retail; she said she was working with Burlington and Waverly businesses on applications due at the end of February.
On regional projects, Stapman said Emergency Management sent a letter of support for the Natrium project and that Commerce and Evergy were engaging with TerraPower on next steps. She also reported on outreach to nearby counties and participation in a Heartland Innovation cohort that provided workforce and broadband data to inform local economic planning.
Stapman summarized the RA Build engineering RFP process: four firms responded; staff contacted references and, using a basic scoring rubric, recommended CSS Engineers and Fiji Consultants as the top two firms for further consideration or presentations. She said all engineering expenses would come from the awarded grant and cautioned the board not to authorize work until the Federal Highway Administration grant agreement is signed.
No formal county approvals of grants or leases were recorded during the update; Stapman said she would bring the signage lease and supporting materials up later in the meeting for signatures if commissioners wanted to proceed.
