Rural economic agencies seek state's assistance

More than a dozen rural community development agencies were scrambling last week to put the finishing touches on proposals to obtain an award from a recently released $3 million Nevada Economic Development Fund.

The state established the fund in 2005 to help rural communities with populations of less than 100,000 residents upgrade infrastructure, diversify the economy, develop business leaders, support entrepreneurs and establish programs for community development. Distribution of the funds was delayed because the mechanism and controls were not in place until recently.

"They have the applications, and they are in the process of filling them out," said Tim Rubald, executive director of the Nevada Commission on Economic Development.

Applications were due today.

The application was high on the list of priorities last week for Juliette Taylor, executive director of the Fallon-based Churchill Economic Development Authority.

Taylor's organization is seeking funds to conduct a study to determine if building an "abattoir" or USDA-approved slaughterhouse in Churchill County is feasible, economically possible and environmentally friendly.

Currently, she said Nevada-produced grass-fed beef is sold on the hoof and slaughtered either in a state approved slaughterhouse, where the cuts are presold, or elsewhere.

"Rather than ask for a bunch of money to build something, we want to know how Nevada competes globally with grass-fed beef, what the economic impact will be and how to brand it," Taylor said, "How do you market that particular beef from this market?"

Rubald said successful applications will likely contain requests for infrastructure projects that will make a significant difference projects that are well-defined and have good strong business plans.

Lt Gov. Lorraine Hunt, chairwoman of the Nevada Commission on Economic Development, said "I think (these grants) will make a huge difference. This is something they (the commissioners) want to see tangible results from."