Commissioners Approve Health Contracts and Fairground Rental

Lisa Nolder, PCDI executive director, met with the Prowers County Commissioners to provide an update on local potential business developments as well as a rough draft of the Region Six Strategic Summary covering southeast Colorado.  The comprehensive assessment will be given to the Governor’s Economic Development Forum in early December.  Any recommended changes in the regional report will be offered during the SEBREA meeting in La Junta this Wednesday, October 17.  A rough draft containing the strong points for economic development in the region will be highlighted.  Nolder stated there were two oil and gas firms that had showed interest in property sites in Prowers County, but some of their physical property requirements were not easily matched.  A former Neoplan employee with Florida business interests had inquired on a potential business location for long range expansion and substantial employee growth over five years.  Nolder said she was not at liberty to voice specifics given requests for confidentiality.  She said she’ll explore funding outlets for the Washington Street property through the Economic Development Administration on potential job creation.  Funds for maintaining the former Big R property are dwindling. 

Use of the Prowers County Fairgrounds is increasing, with more events getting put on the calendar as early as possible.  That was the case this past Thursday, October 11, when Axel Thurner secured the use of the arena next April for the return of the Colorado Mounted Thunder Shooting Event.  Thurner said he was fortunate the fairgrounds were available this past spring for the first display of mounted thunder shooting.  He took note of the calendar filling up and got his bid in for the arena next year when horse-mounted riders will display their shooting skills in several events. 

Pending contract language approval the commissioners gave tentative approval to an agreement between Prowers County, LiveWell Prowers County, Prowers County Public Health and Environment and the school districts for Wiley and Holly.  Another agreement was approved for the Colorado Health Foundation Physical Exercise Quality Improvement Grant contract for Wiley, Granada and Holly School Districts.  The grant will provide $193,423 over 21 months for equipment purchases.  The commissioners approved the appointment of Mendi Choat as a board member of Lamar Partnership, Inc.  Employee insurance coverage for 2013 with Prudential Insurance Company was also approved.  The commissioners ratified a 2013 County Courthouse Security Grant application for $113,420 in improvements and upgrades including protective window covering for the courthouse and outside cameras and an additional monitor for the cameras.

By Russ Baldwin