MCEDC Culver Update

Jennifer Laurent, Executive Director of Marshall County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC), gave an update to the Culver Town Council last night.  Aside from giving a report on some of the activities MCEDC is involved in throughout the County, she discussed some of the specifics for Culver.  One these was her interactions with Elkay Wood Products, formerly Medallion Cabinetry.   Jennifer facilitated a radio interview June 15th on WTCA with Rick Coffman, Operations Manager, to discuss what they do and what their plans for the future are.  I think a key point here is that no one else in Culver is making these kind of contacts and making sure our largest industrial client is helped.

Jennifer also commended the Plan Commission and Redevelopment Commission for making the first steps towards a new Comprehensive Plan.  (20/20 Vision for Culver!)  She stressed some of the visioning needs that the plan should address along with the nuts & bolts infrastructure and land planning functions.

This is much like what I’ve been trying to promote with the various groups…  We need to use the development of the new Comprehensive Plan as the catalyst for new ideas about Culver’s future.  Communities are either growing or dying.  Maintaining the Status Quo is impossible.

Jennifer is also working with Culver’s new Town Manager, Jeff Schoeff, to coordinate some training sessions for the Redevelopment Commission, Plan Commission and Town Council.  One important topic will be TIF Districts.  Others topics relating to finances and the various powers of these boards will be considered as well.

I hope the council members and those in the audience recognize the value Culver gets from leveraging their funds in with Marshall County and the other Marshall County communities.  Budgets will no doubt be tight again this year, but without MCEDC, who would be doing these things for Culver?  We have so many individuals with good intentions, but they can’t make up for someone with dedicated time and tenure based on performance.