EDG: Put-up or shut-up!
K-mart building to stay empty because of “a hiccup?”
Connersville Mayor Leonard Urban and (acting) EDG Director Pete Bell are always very vocal when listing (what they consider to be) their economic accomplishments but silent when things fizzle out. And, unless you live under a rock – things always seem to f-i-z-z-l-e out under their leadership.
Just like the Big Kmart/Big R deal
Just two months ago Bell told City Council, County Council and the entire community that the former Kmart was set to become a “Big R” farm, home and ranch family store. “They just have to work out who is going to pay the closing costs.” Now at this weeks City Council meeting, Bell went through a long list of nearly a dozen potential accomplishments including “Project Neptune” and “the Chinese” but Kmart wasn’t even mentioned.
Only after being questioned by Councilman Chomel about the Kmart property did Bell explain. “Ya, you’ll notice the Kmart property is not on the list. They were at the table as I understand it – the buyer and the seller were at the table prepared to sign the documents, there was a hick-up. The buyer wanted something the seller wasn’t willing to give, and the deal went away.”
Councilman Nobby then asked, “is it gone for good or back in negotiations?”
“No, it’s gone for good,” Bell explained.
Plain and simple… Why do we pay hundreds of thousands of dollars into EDG if they can’t fix “a hickup?” If “closing costs” were the only issue a couple of months ago as Bell explained, how could the EDG allow this project to die.
EDG Board members
Guidestar -online tax records of all non-profit groups.
Below is a list of EDG board members in 2010 (latest list available online)
At Guidestar, EDG is listed as Fayette County Industrial Development.
EDG must be hiding something. They have not provided financial statements as required to the County. Why should the County keep providing money when they have no proof how it is spent?
I referred two mid-sized companies with decision maker contact information to Pete Bell over six months ago. To date they have not been contacted. I guess Pete Bell decides what companies come into Connersville and if it is not manufacturing that he can sell or lease his building too, then he is no interested in pursuing the business.
Also, I think it quite interesting that the Mayor and Pete Bell will not provide the name of the company that is supposed to purchase the Visteon building. Wonder what types of tax abatements they are promised and for how long. If the sale does happen, it has not been stated that more jobs will come to Connersville. So…Are they really helping he economy?
Under state law governing Economic development, it specifies who some of the board members are to be, namely office holders. Learn the law instead of spewing stupidity!
For one EDG needs a director…..Pete Bell is only part-time. Not sure how a problem between a buyer and a seller becomes the fault of EDG….BTW please get a spellchecker and check spellings of names. If you want any credibility, which everyone knows this site is as bad as topix, please be more responsible!
Thank you Mr. Bell for your constructive critique of TownCow’s editorial contribution.
I do however have a concern of my own, as a taxpayer I would suggest if you have the time to personally critique TownCow’s editorials, why is it you do not have the time to devote to EDG in to attract Connersville business and employers.
You sir, are a petty little man and are only interested in promoting yourself, the the company you work for and your own personal agenda. That sir in a nutshell is what is wrong with Connersville and those other like you in leadership positions.
TownCow was attempting to make the case that, had the EDG, Mayor, Chamber and Foundation been concerned enough to actively participated the party’s with the MINOR hiccup you described in council chambers (“closing costs”) it could have easily been resolved and the so called “HICCUP” you alleged could have been overcome. After all, you and your ilk gave a fictitious company millions for a horse and pony show that has been proven to be nothing less then a scam!!!!
Similar arguments can be made regarding the Crown Industries debacle. What a shame!
Excellent post and points, Barney. While several things about the EDG, its lack of productivity and the cloaked way that ‘office’ – I guess I could say the person – seems to do business bothers me, this situation is particularly disturbing because of the way the failed deal wasn’t even going to be brought up.
All we hear from the EDG/Pete Bell is this place, that place, those people or them thar countries are looking at Connersville with businesses that could result in 1,000-1,500 jobs. But the proposed Kmart property deal falls through and the public and taxpayers weren’t even going to be told about it until Councilman Fran Chomel basically put Bell on the spot.
Maybe I’m wrong but isn’t that a borderline (or more?) form of lying by deception and withholding public record information? I think Pete Bell should be dismissed as soon as possible and those that have and continue to protect him need some sort of reprimands. – kh
Board members should never include the mayor or chamber director or elected officials. However; routine reports should be delivered to such. Other members who have been seated more than six years should be replaced. Does this board cycle off members in a routine, defined manner? In addition, EDG should not be located in city hall. It should be a non-political entity serving the needs of the citizens of the city and county. City and county officials will indeed back an effective EDG financially. It is happening in other areas.
Economic Development needs to be completely restructured. Communities surrounding Fayette County are prospering. Growing by leaps and bounds. Seventy five percent of Fayette County ‘s employed residents are commuting out of town! With change comes growth. With growth comes prosperity. Cannot keep doing the same thing over and over and expect different results. Wake up!