Enterprise zone to be expanded

June 04, 2008 01:43 am

— By Roger McKinney
rmckinney@joplinglobe.com
GALENA, Kan. — The Galena City Council on Tuesday night approved an ordinance expanding the town’s enterprise zone.
The enterprise-zone area approved in 1984 included Main Street from Seventh Street north and what was then EaglePicher Industries property. The ordinance approved Tuesday includes all of Seventh Street from the western city limit to the eastern city limit at the state line.
City Attorney Kevin Cure said businesses located in the enterprise zone would have city building permit fees waived, though they still must apply for the building permits for construction projects.
Cure said rental properties are not considered businesses under the ordinance.
According to the Kansas Department of Commerce, state incentives for businesses located in enterprise zones include state income-tax credits for job creation and capital investment when a business builds, expands or renovates. Credits may be used to offset up to 100 percent of a company’s annual state income-tax liability, according to the state agency.
In other business Tuesday night, the council:
n Heard from Councilman David Sizemore that officials expect to open to city pool the weekend of June 14, if not before. Councilman Darrell Shoemaker thanked businesses and individuals who donated $44,450 to repair the pool and volunteers who did the work.
“It’s fabulous,” said Mayor Dale Oglesby. “I couldn’t be happier with it.”
n Heard from Councilman Todd Martin, who said stray dogs being rounded up are being taken to the Joplin (Mo.) Humane Society, which is where owners may reclaim them for a fee.
n Heard from Councilman Ken Bankson, who said the Federal Emergency Management Agency was reimbursing the city for work done during the January ice storm.

Grant sought

The Galena City Council on Tuesday night voted to apply for a Kansas Department of Transportation grant to mill Main Street. The work would be done after the summer tourist season on Route 66.