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SEI Regional Port Authority close to plan
By Cindy Iutzi/Gate City Staff Writer
The Hanson Group of Nashville, Tenn., updated the Southeast Iowa Regional and Economic Port Authority board about its master plan and confirmed delivery of the written report and a presentation date during a teleconference Wednesday.
The port authority board hired the Hanson Group to build a detailed master plan for future economic development in the area and region. Results are anticipated to be ready in January.
Charles Smith, senior project manager for Hanson, agreed to give the written report to the board in the week of Jan. 12. Board members will have the opportunity to review and digest the report's implications and meet to discuss the results with each other.
The Hanson Group's powerpoint presentation and discussion will be at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 28 at the Lee County Economic Development Group conference room, Montrose.
“We have jumped in feet first to complete a written report that will include the background information, a review of documents, accounting of interviews, tours, ” said Smith.
Smith said the written report is the “heart” of the master plan.
The firm has toured Lee County, conducted interviews with the Department of Transportation, Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission, chambers of commerce, tourism, Main Street and Hendricks River Logistics and has talked to other industrial leaders in Southeast Iowa.
In addition, the Lee County Economic Development Group has surveyed local industries about how the port authority could be of help.
“Are you still going down the main path or are you going down a side street (based on the collected information)” asked Keokuk Mayor David Gudgel, acting chairman of the port authority board.
Smith said information and data determine the direction the master plan goes, not any preconceived notions researchers might have.
“I will tell you, we don't have any concerns about where we're headed,” Smith said.
Gudgel said the board will probably meet as a whole sometime before meeting with the Hanson Group.
Development of the master plan is being paid for with an $80,000 Iowa Department of Economic Development grant and a $50,000 USDA rural opportunities grant.
Hanson has deemed four ports of authority to have something in common with the potential of the Southeast Iowa Regional Economic and Port of Authority: the Port Authority of Muskogee in Oklahoma, the Tulsa-Rogers County Port Authority in Oklahoma, the Columbiana County Port Authority in Ohio and the Port of Pittsburgh Commission in Pennsylvania.
The port authority board hired the Hanson Group to build a detailed master plan for future economic development in the area and region. Results are anticipated to be ready in January.
Charles Smith, senior project manager for Hanson, agreed to give the written report to the board in the week of Jan. 12. Board members will have the opportunity to review and digest the report's implications and meet to discuss the results with each other.
The Hanson Group's powerpoint presentation and discussion will be at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 28 at the Lee County Economic Development Group conference room, Montrose.
“We have jumped in feet first to complete a written report that will include the background information, a review of documents, accounting of interviews, tours, ” said Smith.
Smith said the written report is the “heart” of the master plan.
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In addition, the Lee County Economic Development Group has surveyed local industries about how the port authority could be of help.
“Are you still going down the main path or are you going down a side street (based on the collected information)” asked Keokuk Mayor David Gudgel, acting chairman of the port authority board.
Smith said information and data determine the direction the master plan goes, not any preconceived notions researchers might have.
“I will tell you, we don't have any concerns about where we're headed,” Smith said.
Gudgel said the board will probably meet as a whole sometime before meeting with the Hanson Group.
Development of the master plan is being paid for with an $80,000 Iowa Department of Economic Development grant and a $50,000 USDA rural opportunities grant.
Hanson has deemed four ports of authority to have something in common with the potential of the Southeast Iowa Regional Economic and Port of Authority: the Port Authority of Muskogee in Oklahoma, the Tulsa-Rogers County Port Authority in Oklahoma, the Columbiana County Port Authority in Ohio and the Port of Pittsburgh Commission in Pennsylvania.
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| It Happened in Keokuk |
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