PEP Continues to Develop Delegate Base

Interim PEP executive director, Tara Hosick, hosted the monthly meeting of Prowers Economic Prosperity this past Monday, September 16^th, highlighting the need for board of directors to seek and announce their selected delegates before the end of the year.  A delegate, which is a new feature since Hosick took over consulting duties for the economic development organization for Prowers County, will help maintain a flow of information  should a board member not be able to attend a meeting, although both persons may attend together.  It’s also another means of introducing community members to how economic development functions in the county as well as bringing in potential new leaders to contribute to community activities, now and in future years.

Some of the newer delegates include Doug Thrall for the Lamar Utilities board with Houssin Hourieh as main board member, Steve Gilgan, the chief finance officer for Prowers Medical Center will be the delegate serving with CEO, Craig Loveless, Dr. Linda Lujan, President of Lamar Community College, selected Anne-Marie Crampton as her future delegate, as Crampton is now serving as the interim vice-president and acting chairman of PEP since Aaron Leiker’s resignation this past summer. Prowers County Commissioner, Tom Grasmick will be a delegate serving with Commissioner Ron Cook, Robert Boullion, CFO of High Plains Community Health Center will serve as a delegate.  Rick Robbins from Colorado Mills is a board member who said he has selected his delegate, but has yet to tell the person of their new assignment as delegate.  Others who have been already serving as delegates include Tyler Thrall for TBK Bank, Jaileen Barrow for Legacy Bank, Brady Turpin from Frontier Bank and Craig Schwab from GN Bank.

Board members voted to sponsor a ‘Drive, Lead Succeed’ Conference for EDCC, Economic Development Council for Colorado. Hosick will attend that conference October 9^th-11^th in Colorado Springs and discussed PEP’s application for the Hometown Talent Initiative which helps involve high school students in local business mentorships.

Board members discussed a proposed increase in full membership contributions. There are four levels including full, committee membership, sustaining member and a Friend of PEP.  The levels proposed are $5,000 per year, $1,200, $500 and $120, as well as some opportunities for a member to contribute on an in-kind process.  Hosick suggested that current members and delegates develop their own lists of other potential memberships, either on a personal or organizational level for future contact.

Hosick briefed the board on the latest potential business contacts including a Colorado Springs interest for land and infrastructure availabilities in the county, a local developer waiting for zoning and code specifications prior to a land purchase. She mentioned the hemp drying venture awaiting municipal code clearance in Lamar, on-going discussions with a hotel developer, one food retailer and interest in the development of a full scale restaurant in Lamar.  Brew Unto Others will host the monthly come-and –go, informal local business meeting for retailers on October 10^th from 7am to 9am with Cheryl Sanchez from the Small Business Development Center and Angie Cue, Lamar Community Development Director.

By Russ Baldwin