A grassroots committee has started in an effort to keep economic development rolling in Scottsbluff for another decade.
The city’s Economic Development Plan was first approved in 1995, amended in 1999, and again approved in 2004.
Economic Development Director Sharaya Toof says the funding, which comes from a portion of sales tax, is used to enhance business and commercial investment in Scottsbluff and surrounding communities.
“Due to the success of this program, to date it’s brought over 1200 new jobs and over $21 million in investment to our city to be able to grow,” explained Toof. “So the city now desires to extend some funding of the program and to amend the plan and in total, as provided in the amendment before you.”
Charlies Lieske is on the new committee, and says that both the cities sales and use tax and economic development plan will be on Scottsbluff ballots as Propositions One and Two.
He says the group’s main focus is to inform residents about the goals and impacts of the two propositions.
“We’ve developed a sheet … and that’s kind of what we’ll be doing for the public, helping them understand the importance of the sales tax and also the importance of the economic development program,” Lieske told the council. “Normally you would see the chamber or TCD or an organization like that take lead in this, but they’re not feeling like they’re in a position to do that (at this time), and I know how important reviewing the city sales tax is, how important LB40 is.”
“The Chamber of Commerce needs to support this,” remarked Colwell. “I know they’re in a transition but there is no excuse why the board of directors and other community members can’t help us.”
“It’s kind of like the perfect storm, a lot of transitioning happening and switching of roles,” replied Toof. “So it’s been kind of interesting to navigate, but those conversations can definitely be had again but we need to rally together and help support this initiative.”
The group will be spending the coming weeks working on the ideal ballot question language, while also working on gaining more support from the community to allow the next Economic Development Plan continue until October of 2035.
