Article submitted by Jamie Fleury, The Pilot News Staff Writer
BOURBON — The Bourbon Town Council met for their regular meeting on Tuesday, November 8.
Greg Hildebrand met with the Bourbon Town Council as Interim President / CEO for Marshall County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) to serve in lieu of former President / CEO Laura Walls who recently submitted her resignation.
Hildebrand informed the board that he will know more Thursday, November 10 what the long term plans are for filling her vacancy.
He updated the board that MCEDC plans to relaunch the Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Program. MCEDC wants town leadership to be directly involved in those interviews with industry. Those meetings are all confidential but allow for direct interaction between government leadership and industry representatives to learn what barriers need to be overcome for local establishment or continued growth.
New software upgrades will also enable MCEDC to increase reporting.
Hildebrand informed the board that President Ward Byers had forwarded to him the MCEDC Contract for 2023. He planned to present that to the Board of Directors Thursday in the hopes to come to an agreement moving forward.
Vice President Les McFarland asked about council feedback regarding the contract. Byers confirmed that the council will have an opportunity to discuss the contract once MCEDC has reviewed the agreement. “I’ve sent it to Greg for his board to take a look at. Then once – if they have any issues they can send that back and we can talk about it. Otherwise if they sign it then we’ll have our discussion.”
