City of Centralia Industrial Commission met Aug. 19.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
Chair Jim Rueter called the meeting to order at 12:19 p.m.
Members Present: Jim Rueter, David Agee, Bob Feig, Ty Orr, Travis Etheridge, and Acting City Manager Derek Sherman
Members Absent: Dick Cary, Bill Sprehe, Bo Baer, Jerry Beguelin, and Bryan Kuder Also Present: Adison Applegate
Public Comment: Moment of silence in memory of Jack Mann and all his contributions to the City.
Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Agee moved and Commissioner Orr second a motion for approval of the minutes from the special meeting on May 20, 2021. With all in favor and none opposed the motion passed.
Ongoing Business:
1. Industrial Site Visits
a. Method/Order of Industrial Site Visits
i. Bo suggested visiting Quality Sports Net and/or Centralia Industries.
b. Analysis of Industrial Business Retention & Expansion Survey
i. Derek presented the BRE Survey’s for industrial businesses. He asked the Commissioners to review the BRE surveys for suggestions of what to add or remove on the surveys.
2. Analysis of Current Industrial Sites
a. Review List of Available Properties
i. Derek asked for the Commissioners to review the LOIS property lists to help the city have a congruent narrative & description of the LOIS properties to help potential developers see the available properties. Bill mentioned that Centralia Industries have available property in the Prime Meridian Industrial Park. It is raw land but has all utilities ready for a developer.
b. Determine Marketing Approach for the Available Properties
i. It was mentioned to make sure to contact the property owners for specifications.
3. Industrial Business Appreciation Event
a. Review: What we did right & what we can improve on.
i. The event was nice and well attended. Castle Ridge provided us a fantastic venue & service. We should try and keep it light and fun for next year.
New Business:
1. Industrial Cluster Analysis
a. What type of industries pair well with our current industries?
i. We should further investigate a pavilion or observation platform for the visitors that observe the trains coming through town.
b. What type of industries are on the rise?
i. We need to revisit the idea of a cannabis dispensary in Centralia. It was suggested that Derek look up the most recent licenses awarded to see if any could come to Centralia. Additionally, it was suggested that Derek do some research into a short-line railroad like the one in Vandalia.
2. Workforce Development
a. What type of labor do we need?
i. Vocational skills are our biggest need and specifically plumbing.
b. How do we develop our labor force to meet our current industry’s needs?
i. The city should collaborate with the KC Crisp Center as they have a variety of vocational trainings. We need to do a better job helping promote the resources KC offers.
Discussion: None
Commissioner Orr moved and Commission Etheridge seconded a motion to adjourn. With all in favor and none opposed, the meeting adjourned.
https://cityofcentralia.org/vertical/sites/%7BFC680FE7-BE5C-4903-A103-67AF5EF51655%7D/uploads/8-_August_19_2021_Industrial_Development_Commission_Minutes.pdf
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