JSDC plans to fund community planner

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The Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corp. is looking at taking a leadership role in adding a professional planner’s services for Jamestown and surrounding area.

The JSDC Executive Board voted unanimously to fund a six-month contract with SRF Consulting to determine the scope of work for ongoing consulting work.

The action moves the proposal to the full JSDC Board of Directors for final action at its Nov. 5 meeting. Cost proposals from SRF Consulting would be available at that time.

“This organization needs to take the lead on this growth thing,” said Jim Boyd, JSDC Executive Board member.

The original proposal by the JSDC Planning Committee was presented by Gary Riffe, executive board member, and called for the JSDC to fund up to 50 percent of the cost of a city planner.

“We have to be a catalyst to get this started,” Riffe said. “This will benefit us in the long run.”

Boyd said the JSDC could fund the entire first phase necessary to determine what type of planning projects the consultant would need to do. Once that is completed after six months, the city, county and JSDC could discuss possibly sharing costs.

Estimates for the scope of work ranged from $5,000 to $10,000 and would be negotiated with SRF Consulting. Any work beyond the first phase would be opened for bids from all interested planning contractors.

The executive board also voted to recommend Jamestown and Stutsman County drop their memberships in the South Central Dakota Regional Council.

“We pay a total of $72,000 to the Regional Council for small business planning services,” said Ramone Gumke, member of the JSDC Board of Directors. “The JSDC could add staff to do this and also have that staff work on all projects.”

SCDRC operates the Small Business Development Center, which helps entrepreneurs prepare business reports and apply for loans. The SCDRC also administers loan funds but those programs are funded by Community Development Block Grants and membership in the SCDRC is not required for program consideration.

The JSDC Executive Board voted unanimously to advance the idea to the full JSDC Board, which would then make recommendations to the Stutsman County Commission and the Jamestown City Council for action.

Sun reporter Keith Norman can be reached at 701-952-8452 or by email at knorman@jamestownsun.com

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