County stays with Rural Opportunity Zones

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News

August 24, 2016 - 12:00 AM

Allen County commissioners paved the way to go another five years with the Rural Opportunity Zone program.
The ROZ designation is meant to lure prospective employees this way by helping them retire their student debt by up to $3,000 a year for up to five years by a partnership between local employers and a match by the county and state. The scholarships are for students who are returning to Kansas after living elsewhere for five years or more.
As part of Allen County’s participation, it will continue to provide $1,500 a year for one person.
A vote to make the action official will be taken next Tuesday to permit Commissioner Jerry Daniels, who was absent, to participate. Daniels was in Wichita participating in training for his new position as a helicopter pilot for Trans-Med, an air ambulance concern, in Chanute.
In other news:
— Commissioners decided to leave as is a 55 mph speed limit on Minnesota Road from its intersection with 1400 Street to U.S. 169. Residents in the area had asked Commissioner Jim Talkington to consider lowering the limit to 45 mph. Commissioner Tom Williams said the only accident he recalled in the area was a stop sign issue, not to do with speed.
— Commissioners put off improving sidewalks on the southeast corner of the square in order to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Ron Holman, courthouse maintenance supervisor, said that to make the change would involve moving a traffic light control box. More important, extensive work on the section of U.S. 54 running through town is due within the next five years, which could take care of the sidewalk issue then. Holman said the segment would be “torn up and redone,” by Kansas Department of Transportation crews.
— Mitch Garner, director of Public Works, suggested building more hangar space at the county airport. Currently all hangar spaces are rented, holding about 20 airplanes. Garner said he thought in a year or so he should have enough money in his budget to start such a project.
— A $5,471.23 refund on insurance premiums was received from EMC. Their agent, Loren Korte of Personal Service Insurance, said last year’s refund was about $15,000, and that he couldn’t explain the difference. The insurance company pools the premiums it receives and makes refunds if the premium amounts exceed those of its claims.

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