Phillips County Wind Development Project

Everyone is talking about wind development nowdays!  Well, Phillips County has been for a while, as well.  There continues to be activity for wind development in our area on several fronts.  The most noteworthy is the Pleasant Ridge Wind Project.  Pleasant Ridge Wind, LLC is an organization formed out of a collaboration of landowners across portions of 8 townships in the northern section of Phillips County.  Roughly 33,000 acres cumulatively through these landowners have agreed to utilize Bannister Capital Advisors, LLC as a direct liaison and negociator for wind developers to be recruited into the area.  Bannistor Capital Advisors, LLC is a private consulting business which has experience in negociating in legal terms with wind developers.  At the present time, Mark Bannister and  his three brothers (Joel, Grant, and Ted), have started the process of soliciting wind developers through an offiical RFP (request for Proposals) process.  This process includes all the specifications wanted and agreed upon from all the landowner members of the Pleasant Ridge Wind organization (landowner group). 

While this process continues, the PCED staff has continued to create tools which may help with the marketability of Phillips County for wind development.  Letters were sent out in late 2009, to all landowners in Phillips County, with an “Endorsement of Wind Development” committment sheet.  With the return of these “endorsements”, a map of landowners “for” and “against” their land being considered for wind development has been constructed and updated daily.  This provides a ready-to-use tool (information) for wind developers.  Out of the 1700 letters orginally sent out, we have recieved 264 “endorsements” back to the PCED office.  The majority of the “endorsements” have been positive.  There was no deadline for returning this information, but we have recieved about 15% back after two months; we would encourage all Phillips County landowners that have not sent in their “endorsements” to please do so. 

Most recently (within the last three days), we have had two inquiries for this information.  It is exciting to know, we have most of the information readily available to immediately scan and send out to a possible wind (green) developer.  This does not necessarily mean development will happen, but it does allow the developer to have additional information abuot the county to help make a more informed decision.  PCED will continue to work with these groups toward the end result hopefully becoming wind development in our area.

Posted by:

Jeff Hofaker

How is your Customer Perception?

As a business owner, one of your first priorities should be customer satisfaction.  This is a very broad area.  It is not just … for the customer to get my product/service TODAY.  Yes, the customer is usually interested in something you have, or they would not be there, but creating a communication with the customer is very important to know how they feel.     Hopefully, they will not leave your business without having made a transaction.  But, the real questions a business owner should want to know are:  Was the customer’s experience in my store a pleasant one?  Will the customer come back again?  Was there customer satisfaction with the entire shopping experience?  Will this person recommend the business’s services to another?   Receiving the answer to these questions are sometimes very obvious.  Though keep in mind, in this modern day setting, having a courteous smile returned from a customer doesn’t always mean their experience was a positive one.   Most local business owners have their own unique ”saying” to invite the customer to share their experience.   Training of your employees in public communication is very important .  As your employees , they are a strong reflection of your business and “you”.  If there is communication training  or other employee training provided in your region, encourage your employees to attend.  Help pay for their training, if possible.  The long term, positive impacts on your business will far outweigh any short term costs.  The type of service given is always remembered by the customer, especially if it is negative.  Think of the service satisifaction issue “you” personally had as a ”customer” at a business other than your own.  How did that business react to “your” issue?  If they did not react in the best way for you as a customer, I bet you had several “ideas” you were ready to suggest to them … “That they should have done”.  These are the same answers you can implement in your own business, either by you personally or by instructing your employees, which will improve customer satisfaction.   The Kansas Small Business Development Center has classes throughout each year that cover many areas of interest for businesses, including customer service.  Also, the E-center located in the Fischer building of Phillipsburg, Kansas has periodic classes for different business development activities, if enough businesses have a particular educational interest. 

Posted by Jeff Hofaker – PCED Director

Wind Power For Schools

In light of the increasing utility costs, expanding schools needs, and deminishing revenues, schools across the country should consider (if possible) a new and forward-thinking solution with countless benefits: renewable energy from wind power. By harnessing the wind that blows across playgrounds, school buildings, and parking lots,  the administrators and communities could realize the immediate rewards of a community-sized wind turbine brought to their facility.

From lower energy bills to hands-on energy education, schools win when they implement wind power.

• Educational opportunities: Having a turbine in your backyard – and even the process of planning for it – adds an experiential dimension to your school’s science, math, and civic classes. What better way to train the technicians, engineers, and leaders of tomorrow?
• Lower utility bills: Your electrical costs drop the second your blades start spinning.
• Taxpayer benefits: Lower facility costs for your public schools can help balance budgets and lower the tax burden on community residents.
• Stable cost of power: You’ll know what your wind-powered electricity will cost you for 20 years or more so you can safeguard your school’s budget against the volatile and increasing costs of energy.  In a way, making your school financially independent from most of your energy costs, if planned out.
• Green economy: Your school-based wind turbine – and each new installation it fosters – will bring high-value jobs to your community.

Turbine considerations

When considering which turbine to purchase, schools should think about their setting, local permitting regulations, and economics.   Here are some of the issues that schools consider in making their turbine choice.   

•  Load matching:    All else being equal, schools will want to choose a turbine – or 2 or 3 – that can support as much of its electricity needs as possible so it can gain the greatest benefit from site-based generation.  
• Aesthetic fit:    The turbine’s height profile and operational sound levels will be a consideration if it will be located near neighbors and/or classrooms.  
• Educational support:    Educators will often create their own curriculum around their turbine, but it can be a big help if the turbine supplier can provide supporting materials and ideas.  
• Technology:    Not every wind turbine is created equal.   A turbine’s technology and design can affect many things including energy capture, maintenance requirements, and sound performance.       
• Proven operation:    Like any major capital investment project, you will want to know that your wind turbine is not a concept waiting for a test site.   Proven results are very important. 

The first step of project is difficult.  Wind projects take funding, and in today’s economy that can stop most decision makers in their tracks.  Though, if nothing is done now to help, we will probably be dead in tracks in the future.  Proactive thinking is the solution.  Kansas now has a grant program provided through the Kansas Corporation Commission to assist with ONLY State agencies, counties, cities, and unified schools districts for upgrading to green energy, such as wind, solar, and geothermal.   This grant has many requirements and will not pay for the entire project, but it definately is an avenue consider.  More information can be found at KCC’s website.  

Helping your Business & Community!

The end of the year is very quickly approaching.  Have you considered a business donation toward a local community foundation?  It is a great way for a business to get some tax deductible benefits, while helping out the community.  Most of the community foundations in Phillips County have specific projects they are currently working on.  A business or individual donation can be given directly to a specific project “designated” or given to the foundation in general.  Both types of donations given by the business/individual is tax deductible,  the only difference is how the community foundation can utilize your donation (specifically or generally).  In any economy, the more dollars a business or individual can keep locally, the stronger the economy is.  In the case of giving to a local cause through a community foundation, the benefit is expanded.  The donation actually is used toward a project which improves the atmosphere (business or community environment), which in the long run helps bring more people and businesses to the area. 

The community foundations in the area, which are currently working on projects are the Phillips County Community Foundation, the Logan Community Development Foundation, the Huck Boyd Community Center, HOPE Foundation, and the Kirwin Community Foundation.  Make contact with these foundation’s board members and see if their projects may be something that you may be compelled to support.  If they are not currently working on a project that you may have interest in, make that project suggestion to them and a donation to that specific cause.  Projects take a while to complete or even start working on; especially since all these foundation’s enlist volunteer time to raise the funds and work on projects.  Al-in-all though, they are very excited when businesses and/or individuals suggest ideas with donations of funds and volunteers to get the job done. 

The overall point is:  Giving to a local community foundation helps the community, its residents and YOU!

Shopping Locally for Christmas !

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  This is the season of giving.  There is nothing quite like shopping in a rural town with  the perfect Christmas atmosphere.   Local retail shops offering hot cider to people walking in the door.  Music playing in the street.  Local residents smiling and talking to you as they shop.  Always a parking place nearby and never having to wait in line very long, if ever.  There are many reasons for shopping in the small town and having a GREAT experience is definately the first thing that comes to mind. 

Additionally, we need to keep in mind the economic support given to our small entrepreneurial businesses.  By shopping local, we keep a larger portion of our money in the local economy and support jobs through these businesses.  The business owners and the salaries toward their staff allow for those families to continue living and surviving in our area.  It is understandable that from time to time, some items need to be purchased from stores out of town, BUT many of those goods we need or even want for Christmas (or during the year) can be found or ordered locally.   Sometimes the item price will be same, higher or even (yes!) lower, than purchasing out-of-town goods.  Also, when you figure gas and incidental spending (food, movies, other), more often than not, a trip for buying out-of-town goods can cost a resident more than shopping locally.  Yes, there are exceptions.  I will not list them all, but the primary reason used seems to be  the “I just want to get out of town! ” .  Although this is the most used reason, it usually equates to the most expensive trip for the resident and/or family (due to unexpected and unneeded goods/services) and also takes  away critical, financial support from smaller local businesses.   

Because of the economy and challenging times, many residents have been very frugal and pro-active in their shopping this year.  Buying earlier in the year through payments at a local store.  Utilizing some of the out-of-home entrepreneurial businesses, such as candles, home decor, quilts, or other items, for stocking stuffers has been more popular this year. Gift certificates toward local grocers, fuel, or essentials have been talked about a lot this year as well. 

Christmas is definately the time for giving, as we are reminded by “the reason for the season!”  As we all look at our neighbors across our towns,  consider giving gifts acquired from  those local and small town stores, which in turn support the local community and families.  In these challenging times, we should also focus our attention toward supporting our local non-profit organizations, who work diligently toward improving our way of life and the basic needs those in need in our area. 

Thank you all for supporting our local businesses!  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!