Published 12/15/2011 in Local News
By SHAJIA AHMAD
sahmad@gctelegram.com
HOLCOMB — Holcomb may be on the brink of significant commercial development.
That, according to Finney County Economic Development Corp. Interim
President Lona Duvall, who met with Holcomb city commission members
Wednesday.
Duvall told the commission that she has been actively working with a handful
of business prospects who are very interested in setting up shop near the
new U.S. Highway 50/400 and North Big Lowe Road intersection. Those
business prospects include a hotel company looking to construct a building
with 50 to 60 rooms, two eating establishments and possibly a gas station
with a convenience store.
"The hotelier we're looking at operates in a company that allows locals
investors to have ownership of the hotel, so the return on investment stays
within the community," Duvall told council members. "(They) feel it's a slam
dunk — the perfect location."
The site, about 38 acres of property on the southwest corner of the
highway's overpass, is owned by Everett Miller and was zoned for commercial
development by the city council — in line with the city's comprehensive plan
— in May 2010.
Duvall said the hotel she is working with is interested in buying less than
two acres of that area, which the landowner is willing to sell, and referred
to the site as a "gold mine" ripe for business development between highway
traffic and traffic to and from both Tyson Fresh Meats and the Sunflower
Electric Power Corp.'s Holcomb coal-fired station along Big Lowe Road.
The FCEDC interim president said she was present at Wednesday's council
meeting to gauge the council members' interest in helping to recruit the
prospective businesses by extending utility lines and burdening the costs of
those extensions.
"We've located all the utilities, and we know how close they are. ... What
we're asking is, if we come to you on a one at a time basis, does this fit
into your parameters?" Duvall said, adding that her staff is willing and
ready to come back with more solid numbers and do cost-benefit analyses on
each project as they are able to move forward.
Holcomb Mayor Gary Newman, who has for the duration of the Big Lowe highway
project advocated for business development in and around the highway's new
overpass, spoke in support of the city's involvement.
"It's been fast and furious, and a lot of things have come to fruition based
on word of mouth," Newman said. "I think the council has identified the need
and want to generate tax dollars through one of two ways: housing or retail.
... We need to do what we can within our budgeting means to make this
desirable for development to come out here. ... I'm a firm believer that you
have to spend money to generate money."
Newman, who also sits on the FCEDC's board of directors as a Holcomb
representative, said the primary expense to the city for a large development
on the property, such as a hotel, would be sewer lines and pumps. Water
already is accessible at the site, and gas and electric are very close,
according to the Holcomb mayor.
Other city council members, while pleased to hear the positive news, were a
bit more cautious to write any blank checks.
"I'm all for looking at things on a case-by-base basis," council member
Brian Rupp said Wednesday, adding that he agreed the location was ideal for
business, especially an eating establishment, and he'd be open to
considering "modest investments" by the city to make that happen.
Others echoed similar sentiments.
"We're willing to consider whatever the city can provide," council member
Tracy Davis said. "My only reservation is not knowing what's going to go out
there. Usually we never have a clue. ... I'm just real excited to hear that
something is finally getting pushed into this area. For me personally, I'm
thrilled to hear about a hotel and restaurant. It's what I've pictured."
Council member Greg Cox said Wednesday's report from FCEDC was the most
comprehensive report he has heard from an FCEDC staff member.
"You have our full support within our budget constraints," Cox added.
The FCEDC interim president said she likely would have a feasibilty study
and analysis on the hotel prospect in the next month to the council and
would work to leverage as much state and federal funds as possible with each
prospect.
"Holcomb has prided itself on its small neighborhood living. With this,
you'll get all the benefit of having major retail and you don't have to look
at it. It couldn't be better suited for anything else," Duvall said,
referring to the development site. "We're not incentivizing. When you see
the cost-benefit analysis, you'll see it's not an incentive. When you take
it out of (agricultural) taxation and put it into actual use, it raises the
property value and additional sales taxes. And then there's the additional
traffic to your community."
Duvall said in a separate interview that the business interested in
developing at the site is a Choice Hotels company.
Choice Hotels includes, but is not limited to Comfort Inn, Sleep Inn,
Clarion, Comfort Suites and Rodeway Inn.
The council meets again at 7 p.m. Jan. 11 at the city offices, 200 N. Lynch
St., in Holcomb.
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