MCEDC could vanish

MCEDC could vanish

July 19, 2001

By Janelle Holden
Journal Staff Writer

Although the Montezuma County Economic Development Council will likely be dissolved this year, formal county economic development may continue under a more public umbrella.

At the suggestion of Bill Hutchison and K.A. Vandover, members of the economic-development council, community leaders agreed on Wednesday to form a steering committee that would recommend a new venue for the promotion of economic development.

"What we’re suggesting is something similar — the city could take over economic development, form a committee or commission, something similar to the Umbrella Tourism Committee," Hutchison explained at an economic workshop at the Cortez Conference Center.

Hutchison and MCEDC President Jim Mahlberg explained that it would be financially impossible for the organization to support hiring a replacement for Bill Argo, executive director of MCEDC, who is planning to retire at the end of the month.

"Our financing is deteriorating because of lack of private-sector support," said Hutchison.

The MCEDC has 11 private-business voting members who pay $2,000 each for the privilege. Hutchison said he personally had invested $40,000 in the organization.

The council was formed in 1987 by a group of private investors. In 1994, the city of Cortez and other county public entities agreed to contribute to the organization, which has since remained a private corporation.

The city is the primary public backer of the MCEDC, contributing $60,000 annually. Mayor Joe Keck said that he personally thought a qualified director should be appointed to replace Argo, but a replacement could answer to the city.

"It might even shake out that it would be a city department with a county-wide board," said Keck, who theorized that the director of the department could report to the city manager, providing some oversight that critics said was needed in the past.

The new steering committee, made up of representatives from the Cortez Chamber of Commerce, Mesa Verde National Park, the Cortez City Council, Dolores and Mancos town boards, county commissioners, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, MCEDC, school districts, and Umbrella Tourism Committee, will meet next month for the first time.

Meanwhile, City Manager Hal Shepherd will serve as the contact for businesses interested in relocating to Cortez, and Keck will organize the committee, once the various organizations have selected their representatives.

Hutchison got the attention of the crowd by suggesting that MCEDC could fold as early as Aug. 31. Mahlberg later explained that the council would likely turn over the corporation to whatever entity is formed as a result of the steering committee’s recommendations.

One of the concerns is the administration of the Umbrella Tourism Committee. The economic-development council currently administers the portion of the lodgers tax donated by the city and county for the committee’s use. Keck said the committee would likely remain, but under the purview of whatever organizational board comes from the steering committee’s recommendation.

Community members who attended Wednesday’s workshop discussed a community vision and goals for economic development, which include preserving the county’s quality of life, developing existing businesses, managing growth, promoting education, creating a sustainable infrastructure, and recruiting new businesses.

The meeting was mediated by Dave Eppich from Fort Lewis College and J.J. Johnston from the state office of economic development, who advised community leaders of their options and, along with Ed Morlan, director of economic development for Region 9, gave a presentation on economic development.