Board of Commissioners approve Illinois Valley sign grant
From our weekly issue dated October 21, 2009
In a long-anticipated move, the Josephine County Board of Commissioners approved a $1,500 economic development grant to Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce for a new “Welcome” sign.
The funding, approved 3-0 during the commission administrative meeting on Friday, Oct. 16, in Grants Pass, will help pay to replace a battered “Welcome” sign on Redwood Hwy. near Rough & Ready Lumber Co. and I.V. Airport, a few miles south of Cave Junction.
Last year, the chamber replaced a dilapidated and burned sign which had greeted travelers on Redwood Hwy. near Hay’s Hill summit. The new, vividly colored sign -- depicting vineyards, water, trees and recreation -- was warmly received: The push to erect a duplicate at the southern end of the valley was on.
Said Dwight Ellis, county board chairman, “I have been expecting this request to come in since February; I am glad to see it here.” Ellis noted that it fits the criteria for economic development funding.
“If it gets people off the highway and gets them to spend money in the valley,” he stated, “I’d say it is an appropriate use of the money.”
“I am just thrilled about this project,” said Commissioner Dave Toler. He had told the chamber earlier this year that he’d work to dedicate $1,500 to the project, pending board approval.
The summer came and went, and according to Rosemary DeLashmutt, county chief finance officer, the commissioners spent their entire $83,000 in unallocated economic development money elsewhere. The additional discretionary funds were not to be had.
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DeLashmutt brought to the board’s attention an un-obligated budget item. It was an unfilled grant-writer position, with some $24,000 that could be moved around in the economic development schedule to replenish the item titled, “Miscellaneous Projects Approved by BCC: Available Dollars.”
On DeLashmutt’s recommendation, the board voted to reallocate the fund, and approve I.V. Chamber’s $1,500 request.
The cost for the sign project is approximately $3,300. The chamber, through fund-raising events such as the annual Grape Stomp Party at Bridgeview Vineyards & Winery, has raised the balance, and the new “Welcome” sign should be up soon.
DeLashmutt indicated that there had been additional interest in possible grants, and that she would bring requests before the commissioners “as requests come in.”
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