Dawson County Development Authority funding may be reinstated | DawsonNews.com

The group responsible for bringing new commercial and industrial developments to Dawson County could be in danger of closing within the next 18 months if it doesn’t secure county funding.

County Commission Chairman Mike Berg addressed the situation facing the local development authority during a meeting Aug. 8.

“I can’t be more emphatic about this,” said Berg when presenting the county’s proposed 2014 budget to the commission. “They are in danger within a year and a half of closing shop, and that’s without spending any money at all for the studies they have to do for these businesses. They just don’t have money to continue.”

Commissioners cut funding to the authority in 2011, despite Berg’s plea that the move could make Dawson appear anti-business.

“The rest of the state will see us for what we’re able to do as far as supporting those that bring new business to the county,” he said Aug. 8.

Berg recommended that the commission restore $75,000 in funding, half of the authority’s annual budget. In doing so, he noted how the authority had helped secure several new businesses announced recently.

via Authority funding may be reinstated.