By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The $50,000 pledged to the Crawford County Education and Economic Development Partnership by the City of Bucyrus has been put on hold. The Finance Committee made that decision at Thursday’s joint committee meetings.
Originally approved by the Finance Committee, the issue was put back in the committee’s hands in December when council member- elect Dan Wirebaugh expressed reservations when it came to the full city council for final approval.
The move came after Partnership Executive Director Gary Frankhouse introduced himself to the new city council members, as well as explained what the organization’s goals are.
“We are trying to create a synergy between Galion, Bucyrus, New Washington, Crestline and all of Crawford County,” Frankhouse said. “We want to create a partnership with economic development to change the landscape of Bucyrus and Crawford County. “
Frankhouse noted that the goal is to reverse the trend of losing population and jobs within the county.
“Ultimately we want to reverse the trend of the population leaving the county. We understand there are lots of places that money can be spent,” Frankhouse said. “But we need to grow our way out of the current whole we are in and into prosperity..
Council member Wanda Sharrock questioned Frankhouse saying that she wanted to know where the $50,000 would go towards.
“My philosophy is when spending money I like to know what I am buying,” Sharrock said. “What is the $50,000 going towards? That is a two-year income for some of the citizens of Bucyrus.”
“We will use it to make Bucyrus and Crawford County as a whole a better place,” Frankhouse said. “We have already spent $4,500 for soil bearings in a few places including behind Wal-Mart to see if it could hold a food distribution center, and things like that.”
Council member Bill O’Rourke added that if the city is going to pledge that amount that they would have to know where the money is going.
“We need to know where the money is going,” O’Rourke said. “We need you to come in more to show us and tell us where the money is going. We want to see results.”
Council President Sis Love added that the city should open a public economic development meeting so that tax payers could give their ideas as to where the money could be spent.
Frankhouse added that to turn around the trend and see results things will take time.
“You don’t plant the seed and harvest tomorrow it’s a lot like farming,” Frankhouse said. “I look forward to meeting with the community and talking with them to get their input on where they want to see things go. The reality is we need to attract people. We could go off on our own or we could synergize and make the sum greater than the parts.”
The Finance Committee approved tabling the pledge of $50,000 to the Partnership for the time being until further information is made available.
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