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Council favoring CCEDCO, but wants director to visit
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · May 25, 2017
At last week’s City Council meeting, the members leaned toward continuing their support for Cedar County Economic Development Corp.
However, they would like Director Rod Ness to appear before the council to review what the economic development group does for the city before finalizing their decision.
Mayor Roger Laughlin reported on a recent meeting regarding CCEDCO and opened the topic by stating that Iowa State University and ISU Extension pulled their funding from the group. That funding makes up 20 percent of the group’s budget, and the two agencies also may ask CCEDCO to leave its office space at the ISU Extension building in Tipton by the end of June.
Laughlin said Mechanicsville, Tipton and Stanwood councils all voted to remain with CCEDCO, but Clarence and Lowden voted to leave, and Wilton is “already out.”
West Branch, he noted, pays $6,400 a year in dues.
“I could find a really good use for that money,” he said.
He noted that if CCEDCO dissolves, the organization would divest and West Branch would receive about $12,000 — about 6 percent — from that.
Council member Mary Beth Stevenson spoke first in favor of remaining with the group.
“Think of what we’re leveraging,” she said. “Think of the value of a person who can go out and (promote the city). We don’t value human resources in general. He can make time and make stuff happen. We get a lot for the money.”
Council member Brian Pierce asked if CCEDCO could show “any tangible items” to show its value. Council member Tim Shields asked if the city staff thought CCEDCO offered “valid” reasons to stay.
Deputy City Clerk Leslie Brick said Ness “does a good job keeping West Branch’s name out there.”
She said Ness lives in West Branch and shares information with city staff.
“It would be sad to see them go away,” Brick said, noting that the previous city administrator, Matt Muckler, was “adamant” about remaining with CCEDCO.
“I’m curious what the new administrator will think,” Council member Tim Shields said.
Pierce said he would like to hear some of those things the group has done as he has not seen much himself.
Council member Colton Miller said he was “a big CCEDCO fan” a couple of years ago, but the only thing he can recall from the past two years were “green stickers” encouraging residents to shop locally, “and I don’t know how that grows us.”
“(But) we can’t afford our own economic development guy,” he said.
Laughlin said the city’s current membership ends in June, but could extend its membership through August while reviewing its decision.
“Have him come and sell us,” Shields said, asking the city staff to invite Ness to an upcoming meeting.
Pierce said he would like CCEDCO to provide the council with regular updates, possibly quarterly.
Stevenson said she favors the council providing CCEDCO with ideas on how to take action to promote the town.
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