PCDI Holds Successful Business Seminar

Rick Robbins, Prowers County Development Incorporated President, said there were 65 participants in the fork lift certification seminar held earlier this month at the Rodeway Cow Palace Inn.  “We had to have three shifts for the numbers that took part, but we now have 65 certified forklift operators in the county,” he told the PCDI board this past Tuesday, November 25.

PCDI Executive Director, Lance Benninghoff added, “One employer told me he spent $700 to have just one employee certified out of the area, and this time he paid $600 to have twelve employees receive their state certification.” He added that another business sent six employees for training.  This particular certification will last for three years before a renewal is needed and board members felt there could be an additional seminar in the future given the number of employees who change jobs over a span of years.

In fact, other seminars dealing with different aspects of business are being planned by PCDI, partly as a way to raise funds for the economic development organization, and to help new and existing business keep costs down by offering local training procedures.  Benninghoff and board members are planning monthly sessions in the future to cover Haz-Mat safety procedures, developing employee manuals, the basics of workers compensation insurance and other topics as warranted.  Benninghoff added, “There may not be a large demand for one subject, but we can consider combining two different topics for a broader appeal.

Lisa Thomas, Lamar Chamber President, attended the morning session, inviting PCDI to send a representative to monthly chamber meetings, as a means of staying in touch with each other group’s developments.  “This would give us a means for keeping each other informed in community activities,” she offered.  Benninghoff said he would attend the monthly sessions.  He also mentioned that Prowers Medical Center and PCDI are planning to have the hospital send a representative to the board meetings to maintain another line of communication within the county.

Site of Ark Valley Paintball

The board approved the 2015 budget at $116,750.  Prowers County and the City of Lamar contribute $50,000 apiece, with other revenue developed through community partnerships such as a $1,000 annual contribution from the Town of Holly, the newly developed seminar sessions and rent from the PCDI Warehouses on East Washington Street.  It was noted that Colorado Mills would rent warehouse space by the end of the year and a paintball shooting operation along with the Colorado State Patrol have office and warehouse space.

By Russ Baldwin