Initiative, reinvestment celebrated at ‘State of Phillips County’ address

    Initiative and reinvestment were the overarching themes of the annual Phillips County Economic Development meeting at Paoli Town Hall Monday, Feb. 27. New leaders have taken the helm in several community positions throughout the county in the past year, all reporting great progress, and numerous small scholarships were awarded through the Daniels Fund to students showcasing an entrepreneurial spirit.
    PCED Director Julia Biesemeier gave a “State of Phillips County” address, reviewing the year’s projects and progress made in various areas throughout the county, before handing over the mic to Haxtun Chamber of Commerce Director Sara Firme (who has held the position for just over a year), Holyoke Chamber of Commerce Director Elizabeth Hutches (about six months), new Eastern Colorado Community Fund Director John Chapdelaine (three months) and Phillips County Administrator Randy Schafer for their reports.
    In addition, four at-large positions on the PCED board were voted into place, with Schafer a notable member stepping down from the board after serving since 2001. Curt Parker also chose not to run again.
    Only four individuals ran for the four open positions and were voted in by acclamation. Those serving new three-year at-large terms are Nici Akey, Michelle Lock, Brian Santistevan and Naomi Newman.
    
    Child care initiative making progress
    While Biesemeier named job creation, hospital growth and new services as important indicators of the county’s growth, there is one problem in particular that continues to plague Holyoke especially — a lack of child care.
    A prime example of the dilemma is clear at Melissa Memorial Hospital. Although several new jobs have been created over the past year at MMH, and numerous new services have been added, nine hospital employees have left or gone to part-time status as a result of child care issues.
    Hutches, who is also the project coordinator for Holyoke’s child care initiative in addition to her role as Chamber director, reported that the committee has applied for the Temple Hoyne Buell grant to obtain matching funds for her position and will find out in April if they received it.