Page 12 • The Akron Hometowner
June 13, 2007
Yankton creates Gorilla Project Task Force By Julie Ann Madden A Gorilla Project Task Force has been formed. But not by any Elk Point entities. In fact, Elk Point officials were not even contacted about the task force. At a press conference on June 7, the Yankton Area Chamber of Commerce announced its creation of a task force “to provide leadership for enhancement of economic opportunities that will create value for membership as well as the Yankton area,” which is that Chamberʼs mission statement. “We are trying to advance economic opportunities for Yankton and the surrounding area in the Missouri River corridor,” said Yankton Area Chamber of Commerce Board President Dr. Tim Barry. Saying they had no “privileged information” on the secretive large manufacturing facility dubbed “Gorilla Project,” Barry told the media present, “We are not trying to impact any deliberations or negotiations by anyone, public or private, in regards to the Gorilla Project. We respect the anonymity of those involved.” “We are announcing an opportunity, hopefully unique to South Dakota and unique to Yankton,” said Barry, explaining it is a “proactive process of strategic planning” for the Gorilla Project. The Gorilla Project Task Force will explore opportunities and prepare a strategic plan to position the Yankton Area Chamber of Commerce and Yankton area in a positive way, in any way possible, to support the Gorilla Project,” said Barry. “The word ʻproactiveʼ is very important to this potential project and many people would say why are you attempting to create an apparatus for something that hasnʼt occurred.” “Our strategy is to create this apparatus in anticipation rather than sit back and wait for something to happen,” he said, “and we think this is a marvelous opportunity to do so.” The task force is the result of several “structured conversations” at a Chamber-sponsored Leadership Summit on May 2 “to articulate and move forward in a strategic direction for the future of our city,” said Barry, adding the
task force will be led by the Chamber and involve many organizations, alliances and partnerships, both public and private that have an interest in the Gorilla Project. This broad-based, diverse group will include representatives of agriculture, transportation, education, manufacturing, trade and growth, said Barry, adding the Chamber was selected because it already has a committee structure in place. For example, with transportation the task force could determine how to transport workers to and from the Elk Point Gorilla Project facility, he explained. Education could investigate what kind of education the workers would need as well as how to provide education for the workersʼ children. Agriculture could deal with land usage, pricing and the role of agriculture as it relates to the Gorilla Project. The task force will “begin to investigate the ramifications of the Gorilla Project on our city,” said Barry. Task force representatives present included: • Dr. Tim Barry, Chamber president and Mount Marty College president; • Tom Bohnet, who is Regional Technical Educational Center (RTEC) Board chairman and Allied Engineering president; • Nate Franzen, First Dakota National Bank Marketing manager and Chamber vice-president; • Lynn Peterson of Cortrust Bank; • Larry Ness, First Dakota National Bank president; • Gail Gubbels, Williams & Company certified public accountant; • Brad Wenande, Northwestern Energy area manager and Chamber Transportation Committee chairman; • Dan Specht of Vision Real Estate and City of Yankton commissioner; • Brad Dykes, Hy-Vee Food Store manager; and Dr. Joe Gertsema, Yankton Public School District superintendent. All present were Chamber members. This announcement was a “call for partnerships and alliances,” said Barry, adding that the task
Plymouth County awards LOST funds By Julie Ann Madden Three Akron organizations received Plymouth County 20072008 Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) funds. Of the $275,000 awarded Akron entities received $19,000. The Akron Child Care Center Inc. requested $15,000 but received $10,000. Their request was for debt reduction assistance. The Akron Historical Society requested $1,000 and was granted the full amount, which was designated as lower level building renovations. The renovations included creating a community center and a “usable” kitchen in the lower level of the Akron Area Museum. The Akron Senior Center Governing Board received all of the $3,000 it had requested. This request was for the purchase of an $18,000 60-inch commercial kitchen stove for the center. In addition to the LOST funds, the City of Akron, First National Bank and Peoples Bank will help pay for this purchase.
There were 49 applicants seeking the countyʼs LOST dollars but only 25 were awarded any money. Of that 25, only 15 received the full amount they requested. Other entities receiving funding which may benefit Akron and Westfield residents include: • Mid Sioux Opportunity Inc., $7,500; • Plymouth County Conservation Board, $4,500; • Plymouth County EMS, $20,000; • Plymouth County 4-H and Ag Society Charitable Trust, $10,000; and • Plymouth County Rescue and Recovery Divers, $5,000. Those receiving no funding included the Big Sioux River Recreational Corridor Council, which requested $1,500; and the Community Foundation for Greater Plymouth Foundation, which requested $1,800. A total of $915,171.20 was requested by the 49 applicants.
force may be similar to the Black Hills-Homestake situation in western South Dakota. The task force will be a broad, diverse group of people, he said, adding “Weʼre trying to make it so flexible that regardless of whatever particular project it is, weʼre going to be able to relate to it.” “If (the Gorilla Project) doesnʼt happen, then weʼre going to be ready for other opportunities,” said Barry. “Weʼre stepping out and saying ʻweʼre hereʼ and weʼre trying to react as best as we can,” he said. “We think this is a positive for the entire project...an affirmation on part of the City of Yankton to the Elk Point area..to say ʻweʼre there to help, not hurt.ʼ” “I think waiting until down the road would be a negative in this stage of the game,” said Barry. “Weʼre trying to produce or create a flexible model that best reflects what we can and canʼt do for the city...all we can do is simply say we put the pieces together as best we can to address whatever happens and in the best positive way for the City of Yankton.” “(Yankton) is a great place to live and work,” said Barry. “We are excited about this potential new industry in our region and are anxious to start.”
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
street vibrations
SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2007
CAR & MOTORCYCLE POKER RUN Registration: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Entry Fee: $25.00 (includes T-shirt, Meal & Dance)
CAR & MOTORCYCLE “SHOW & SHINE” Registration: 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT Registration: 11:00 a.m. to Noon • Entry Fee: $30.00 for team 6 person coed teams (3 men & 3 women)
BEST BALL GOLF TOURNAMENT Registration: 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Entry Fee: $60.00 for team • 4 golfers per team
OUTDOOR DINNER 4:00 - 9:00 p.m. • Akron Jo’s Cafe
STREET DANCE
7:00 p.m. - 1:30 a.m. • Admission: $5.00 9:30 - 1:30 a.m. - “The Victoria Pennock Band”
Free Camping Available For More Information call Shelly at 712-551-7490
WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATION NEXT WEEK!