Revitalize Delton Economic Development Round Table Notes
12/15 VFW 6:30pm
Introductions
- Discussion on narrowing areas of focus
- Discussion on Better defining affordable housing
ITEM 1: Status of Feasibility Study
- Need to assess the infrastructure and needs in the community
- We are contracting with a firm in Chicago to do the study
- Need to raise $15,000 for the study
- A lot of businesses have already helped contribute money
- Barry County Community Foundation is helping with a large part of the cost
- Hope to have enough money to get started in January
- Need $9,500 to start the study
- Need to send them a school report with school data
- We are at a point where we need to get our enrollment numbers up or we risk losing our school district status in the future
- Need the school report to assess the needs of housing in the community for new and current families
- We feel obligated to take a survey of the entire community to see what community members want to see happen- even the people who are uninterested in growth.
WHY DO WE NEED A FEASIBILITY STUDY?
- Why spend the money on this?
- Developers suggest that this is an important first step to be able to assess the true needs of the community before we build a development that is not going to be utilized.
- In order to bring in grants and state funding to help with the cost of a development we will need this data.
- Will help to assess the need for not just housing, but the need for senior living, what business areas need to be developed in this area, and why students and families are leaving the district.
ITEM 2: Need to start a school subcommittee
- Our community revolves around the school so encouraging growth in the school is of utmost importance.
- We have struggles to keep teachers around here
- We are lacking transportation to get students to the BCAMSC
- Need to find a way to ensure the building trades program continues
- Also want to bolster other trades programs- they are a unique and strong part of our school and community
- Need to challenge the school district to perform at a higher level compared to other schools around us.
- Want to expand on offerings for students- courses, programs, clubs, etc.
- Also want to bolster other trades programs- they are a unique and strong part of our school and community
- Want to further develop community participation in the school district to help support teachers and grow the opportunities for students.
- We need to focus on the strengths of our community and develop those programs
- Farming
- Trades
- Need to boost marketing of what makes Delton the place to be
- Want to explore a (possibly paid) internship program for high school students with area tradespeople and businesses.
BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS
- Want to connect multiple trails
- Want to advertise our trails
- These are all small side projects that will help make Delton look more attractive- surb appeal
WATER TOWER
- Location or the tower
- School donated property, that’s why it’s where it is
- The tower needs to be elevated and in a central location
- Need for the tower
- In order to access state funding for development projects we will need to have a water tower in place
- Needed to meet fire suppression standards
- We have a possible problem with current water quality
- Wetlands
- We are exploring the proximity to a wetland area to ensure that the area we are planning to erect the water tower is safe and feasible.
ITEM 3: COMMUNITY CENTER
- Exploring the idea of the community center/multi-purpose building
Starting a fund at Barry County Community Foundation
- They initially gave us $10,000 to get this organization going
- Our funds will be managed by the Community Foundation
- All donations through the BCCF will be tax deductible
Delton Kellogg Education Foundation
- Want to be able to build a program like the Kalamazoo Promise
- They currently give grants to teachers for the classroom
- They currently give scholarships to students
- Current project is to be able to fund 2 year college and trade programs for all students graduating from Delton Kellogg
Next General Meeting: January 11
