Gage County names appointees to early discussion of economic development merger

BEATRICE – The Gage County Board approved appointing three members, an alternate and ex-officio legal representation today to a board examining a potential merger of economic development efforts. The board stopped short, however, of putting a formal 180-day timeline on review of the county’s arrangement with Gage Area Growth Enterprise, known as NGage.County supervisors chosen to be involved in the study include Rex Adams, Rick Clabaugh and Emily Haxby.

There was some disagreement about the number of representatives from each entity, partly based on financial support of economic development efforts….as cited by Supervisor Emily Haxby…

"This new one that was just sent back to us, has it having the city and county at two and two...while the chamber and NGage and Main Street have three. I don't see any sort of business in the real world where an entity bringing in only six percent of the funds, receives 23 percent of the votes....and so, I'm just trying to come up with a fair way to do that."

Ryan Trauernicht, a member of the consolidation board…said the group wants county input on the issue but favored fewer members from local government.

"The e-mail we sent out said we'd ask for two members, instead of three. The reason being, we want this to stay a community board that is a representation of the community. The proposal that you guys put forward was six members appointed by the county and the city....and five from the community. To me, the math equals another government board....and that's not what we wanted to have."

The discussions of a potential merger are in the very early stages. Supervisor Gary Lytle said the specific number of representatives isn’t critical at this time.

"What we're appointing right now, is to create bylaws and set this up. It is going to set up what our representation is, and then that's going to come back for us to vote on. If we have one, or we have three, right now...to me, doesn't matter."

The combined agencies board is having initial discussions about merging efforts of NGage, the Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Beatrice and Gage County Tourism. 

Both the City of Beatrice and Gage County Government reimburse NGage expenses for up to $150,000 annually….in an agreement that extends through 2027. The economic development group also receives private membership support.

The Beatrice Area Chamber has relied on membership contributions, as does Main Street Beatrice. Both have received some city tax support for specific events.

Gage County Tourism draws revenue from a four-percent county-wide lodging tax…with two-percent going for marketing and promotion…and two-percent to fund visitor attraction improvements.

Both the Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce and NGage are currently without executive directors.