Wood County Industrial Commission
Dr. Thomas: "Jarvis plans aggressive expansion"
By JOHN SPARKS
Meeting in regular session Thursday, March 5 at Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, the board of the WDr. Thomas shared with WCIC board members plans for improvements at Jarvis Christian College including: infrastructure improvements; a new student union building; remodeling an existing building for use as a child ood County Industrial Commission (WCIC) heard of plans for growth at Jarvis from the newly installed President, Dr. Cornell Thomas. The board also discussed a loan fund program available from the US Department of Agriculture and received an update on Winnsboro's plans for a business incubator.
development facility that would serve the growing married student population, faculty members as well as the community at large, and the possible establishment of a call center on campus which would provide employment opportunities for students.
$1,000,000 USDA Loan Considered
A committee of board members was appointed to review the possiblity of applying for a newly-established revolving loan fund program. The USDA program requires a ten-percent local match which would be sought from the Wood County Commissioners Court. A $1,000,000 loan was targeted as desirable. Members of the RLF committee are: board members Shane Shepard, Neal Duncan. Glen Davis and WCIC Executive Director Gary McKinley.
Business Incubator moves forward
Winnsboro announced formal plans to proceed with a grant application to another USDA grant fund through the Winnsboro Main Street Partnership, Inc. The grant would could provide $100,000 in support for the establishment of a training and development center to enhance computer skills for those who are unemploeyed or underemployed in Wood County. An additional $50,000 grant would come through another US Department of Agriculture program. Plans call for the establishment of the facility in an existing at building at Jarvis Christian College.
The WCIC had allocated $6,000 in the fiscal 2009 budget to assist with the training and development project and the board approved the release of the funds contingent upon the award of the USDA grant to Winnsboro. Other organizations participating in the project are: City of Winnsboro through the Winnsboro Economic Development Corporation, $4,000 and Winnsboro's Futures, $5,000.
Executive Director's Report
WCIC Executive Director Gary McKinley also reported that agriculture continues to be a very major factor in the economy of Wood County with an impact of more than $400-million per year.
McKinley said sales tax applications for new businesses in Wood County during March 2009 totaled 21. Mineola led with eight while Winnsboro had seven new business applications. No new filings were made for Hawkins or Holly Lake.
Funding in the amount of $5,000 (previously budgeted) was approved for the Lake Fork Catfish Classic which will be conducted by the Lake Fork Sportsmen's Association. The board also accepted a proposal from Duncan Multimedia for the Web imporvement project. Three propasals were received and reviewed by a committee of board members who recommended the selection of Duncan.
The next meeting of the Wood County Industrial Commission is scheduled for Thursday, May 7, 2009, 7 p.m.
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