|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Editorials
Montgomery should consider MEDC lease : Editorials : Oswego Ledger-Sentinel : Hometown Newspaper for Oswego and Montgomery, IllinoisMontgomery should consider MEDC lease
| 7/26/2012
|
The Montgomery Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is considering re-locating its office when its current lease expires Jan. 1 at a commercial building at River and Webster streets in Montgomery's downtown.
As we reported last week, MEDC officials have approached village officials about the possibility of leasing office space in village hall. Earlier this year, the Greater Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce relocated its office to village hall under terms of a lease agreement approved by the village board.
If office space is available, we believe it would make financial and practical sense to also allow the MEDC to move into an office at village hall.
The village organized the MEDC nearly a decade ago to promote local business development and job growth. Over the years the agency has been funded with an annual contribution by the village and membership dues paid by local businesses. Since the economy crashed in 2008, the MEDC has managed to continue its operations but it has had to cut both its budget and staff.
The continuing scarcity of revenues makes it all the more important for the MEDC to now find low-cost office space. We agree with village board member Matt Brolley who told his board colleagues he would rather see the MEDC spending its money on marketing the village than rent checks for office space.
Board member Stan Bond, however, noted that Dr. Neil Schlupp, president of the MEDC Board of Directors, publicly criticized the board last spring for their firing of long-time village manager Anne Marie Gaura and expressed concerns about allowing non-village employees to work in village hall. Referring to village hall, Bond said, "It's a secure area. It's locked."
We would urge the board to set aside the past differences they may have had with Schlupp and the MEDC and consider what is in the best interest of the village, its residents and its businesses. We believe that means if office space is available at village hall, the two parties should start negotiations on a lease agreement similar to one the village board approved earlier this year with the chamber of commerce, and let the MEDC get on with the work of fostering local business growth.
We also believe the security concern raised by Bond could easily be addressed in the lease agreement.
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
