Although the nation continues to struggle in its recovery from the recession, the mood among business and industry leaders Greater Huron Development Corporation deals with is improving, the executive director said Monday.

In his quarterly report to the City Commission, Jim Borszich also said negative feelings about the economy are declining and it appears the country is moving in the right direction.

GHDC is working with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development on two projects that could bring more than 100 jobs to Huron. Specifics can’t be released due to confidentiality requirements in the bid process.

Borszich said two to three local companies are looking to enhance their businesses, which could mean more jobs, and the development corporation is working with businesses on possibly occupying two existing speculative buildings.

Dakota Provisions is progressing on its rendering plant project and construction is expected to begin this fall, he said.

GHDC is also involved with a new, nonprofit organization, James Valley Housing, in bringing new housing opportunities to Huron.

Five governor’s houses are now in place and are sold and the housing board is looking at additional housing this fall.

A critical shortage of housing, both to rent and to purchase, is continuing and at some point will hamper the effort to attract more jobs.

“The question I’m being asked every day is, ‘where are we going to house people?’ And the answer is I don’t know,” Borszich said.

Commissioners also:

• Revised the joint city/county building inspector contract.

• Approved a public safety committee recommendation to allow five parking spaces on the east side of Kansas Avenue Southeast just north of Seventh Street Southeast adjacent to the Winter Park tennis courts. Mount Calvary Lutheran Church made the request.

Street width is the same between Fifth and Ninth streets on Kansas Avenue, but parking is only allowed on the west side between Fifth and Seventh streets where traffic numbers are higher than they are between Seventh and Ninth streets, where parking is allowed on both sides of the street.

• Hired Joseph Daniel as a full-time communications operator in the police department, and agreed to advertise for a part-time communications operator.

• Hired Don Pickering for a maintenance position in the solid waste department, and agreed to advertise for up to two part-time employees in the department.

• Approved a $258,963 progress payment to Visu-Sewer Inc. of Pewaukee, Wis., for sewer main lining work.

• Approved a request for alcoholic beverage consumption by Trussbilt employees on Aug. 21 at Ravine Lake.

• Approved the special assessments list for property on the 2010 Beadle County land sale.

• Went into executive session for negotiations and a personnel matter.

For the complete article see the 07-20-2010 issue.

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