PEP Annual Meeting Set for March 4

The PEP, Prowers Economic Prosperity board announced that the “BEAR” is coming and those attending the annual business meeting at the Shore Arts Center on Monday, March 4^th, will be introduced to how the four points of the ‘BEAR’ can help augment economic growth in Prowers County.

The recent strategic planning meeting held in January determined several areas that PEP members will use as future focus points. BEAR is an acronym for four key elements: Business-Expansion-Attraction-Retention.  From that PEP will also develop several brief talking points to be displayed at the annual meeting on subjects for development:  Quality of Life/Housing, Outreach & Marketing and Sustainability.  Four committees were formed during the February 5^th board meeting and they will present an outline to the public as part of the annual meeting.  That will be held at the Shore Arts Center on March 4^th with cocktails and appetizers beginning at 5:30pm.

PEP Executive Director, Eric Depperschmidt told the board a recent Legislature Day at the state capitol indicated few, if any, transportation measures would be brought up for action this year. The PEP board had hoped that regulations pertaining to semis hauling produce would have some restrictions on inspections at ports of entry relaxed.  “It appears TABOR laws and the Gallagher Amendment are being prioritized for discussion this year,” Depperschmidt explained.

Board member, Stephanie Gonzales and Executive Director of SECED, Southeast Colorado Development Incorporated recapped a regional housing study, prepared to assess the housing and rental market in six counties in southeast Colorado in the latter part of 2017. One roundtable meeting on housing and another on developing tourism in Prowers County was hosted by SECED late last month and more roundtable meetings are scheduled for future months.  In other action the PEP board voted P & L Tax and Accounting as the organization’s accountant for 2019.  The board went into executive session to discuss finance and property issues.  The next PEP meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 19^th.

By Russ Baldwin