Vilas County Advertising &

      Economic Development Committee                                                          Meeting January 17, 2008

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Members Present:         Jay Verhulst, Steve Doyen, Robert Egan, Steve Favorite, Linda Thorpe

 

Members Excused:       Charles Ahlborn, Ron DeBruyne

 

Others Present: Mark Hazelbaker, Hazelbaker & Associates (via telephone)

                                    Charles Rayala, Vilas County Board Chairman

                                    Jim Levandowski, M & I Bank

                                    Patrick Nichols, First National Bank

                                    Neil Roberts, First National Bank

                                    Martha Milanowski, Vilas County Corporation Counsel

                                    Kelly Haverkampf, UW-Extension

                                    Cindy Burzinski, Vilas County Advertising

                                   

Verhulst called the special meeting to order at 1:05pm in Conference Room #1 of the Vilas County Courthouse.  The meeting was properly posted and notices sent to all media provided on January 11, 2008. 

 

Motion by Doyen, second by Favorite to accept the agenda to be taken in any order at the discretion of the chairman; motion carried. 

 

Motion by Thorpe, second by Favorite to approve the minutes of January 8, 2008; motion carried.

 

Introductions and Announcements – All present introduced themselves. 

 

Economic Development Corporation & Revolving Loan Fund – Haverkampf reviewed information on economic development corporations and commissions distributed to the Committee earlier.  Bank representatives present briefly explained their experience(s) with economic development corporations and revolving loan funds.  Verhulst quickly reviewed the commission structure used in Florence County as previously presented.  The Committee members generally discussed economic development corporations/commissions.  Due to the weather, Hazelbaker was contacted via conference telephone call. 

 

Hazelbaker reviewed the various 501(c) categories.  As discussed previously, the Committee is interested in developing a county based economic development corporation/commission with a revolving loan fund rather than joining an existing regional economic initiative as they felt a more locally based corporation/commission could better serve the needs of Vilas County.  Hazelbaker noted that a corporation/commission works best when it has a direct investment in the area and continued that the membership of the board of the corporation/commission would be determined by the by-laws of the corporation/commission to ensure adequate representation.  The 501(c) category(ies) selected and the funding sources for the revolving loan fund determine some guidelines for the corporation/commission; however, these entities are created to achieve a purpose – to help move and utilize money to make money by getting it moving in the community. 

 

In these hard fiscal times, new avenues of initial funding are being created; however, each situation is unique to the area concerned.  As initial funding for the revolving loan fund can come from many sources (grants, government, gifts, etc.), there may be distribution guidelines attached to the funds. 

The idea of the revolving loan fund is to utilize the monies repaid to generate other loans to perpetuate the movement of money throughout the economy.  Verhulst questioned if county assets (property) could be leveraged to generate the initial funding for the revolving loan fund.   Noting it was a possibility,

Hazelbaker indicated that other sources may be available to consider first.  Another item needed would
Vilas County Advertising &

      Economic Development Committee                                                          Meeting January 17, 2008

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be a large, initial project (approximately $500,000).  Such a project would create the long term project necessary while the repayment funds could be utilized for smaller dollar projects to keep the dollars moving.  Several investment formats were discussed. 

 

Haverkampf noted that in addition to the financial aspects of the corporation/commission, it would also have a responsibility for marketing the area, developing new ideas, along with research and education for those businesses using the revolving loan fund to ensure that the businesses remain viable and growing.  Hazelbaker noted one of the most important aspects of the corporation/commission would be its ability to respond quickly and efficiently to the needs of the businesses, and having a board of directors with diverse business and economic backgrounds that can make decisions would be vital.    

 

With many options available, Verhulst wondered if a special meeting of all interested individuals (County Board, Towns, Chambers, local businesses) should be arranged.  Rayala and other Committee members felt perhaps the first step should be a presentation to the full County Board, and anyone interested could attend.  Such a presentation would provide the Supervisors with information, an opportunity for questions and a basis for discussion.  The informational process could grow from there.  Milanowski reminded those present that no action could be taken at the special meeting without a resolution.  After considerable discussion, Rayala indicated he would contact the County Clerk to arrange a special County Board meeting on February 11th for an informational presentation by Hazelbaker and Whipple on economic development corporations/commissions. 

 

2008 Governor’s Conference on Tourism - As the early bird registration deadline is before the next meeting, motion by Thorpe, seconded by Doyen to approve Burzinski and any Committee members attending the 2008 Governor’s Conference on Tourism, March 2-4 in Lake Geneva.  While five members expressed interest in attending, it was noted that only four rooms had been reserved for Committee members.  As Doyen felt uncomfortable if all Committee members could not attend, he withdrew his second.  Wondering if some committee members might be able to share a room, Thorpe moved to approve, at this time, Burzinski and four (4) Committee members attending the 2008 Governor’s Conference on Tourism, seconded by Egan; motion carried (1 nay-Doyen).  Burzinski will check the availability of additional rooms and Committee members will get back to her about who is actually attending so final arrangements can be made at the next meeting.  She also noted that if attending, Committee members needed to get registered ASAP to receive the early bird discount. 

Correspondence/Communication – Burzinski distributed copies of the website redesign changes requested at the last meeting.   The Committee felt the font was still difficult to read.  Burzinski will pass the comments along to Paul James Marketing. 

 

Celtic is working on the winter banner ads for the packernews.com ad placement to replace the Wisconsin Snowmobile News ad which did not run.

 

Haverkampf distributed a flyer regarding a conference on Sustaining and Strengthening Forest-Based Industries in the Great Lakes Region. 

 

Next meeting – The next regular Committee meeting will be February 12, 2008 at 9am in Conference Rooms #2 & #3 of the Vilas County Courthouse. 

 

Motion by Doyen, seconded by Egan to adjourn at 3:06pm; motion carried.

 

Minutes reflect the notations of the recorder and are subject to change by the Committee.

Respectfully submitted,   Janet Christianson