Spearman EDC Director Report Details Effort to Support the Business Community

January 15, 2025

by Suzanne Bellsnyder, Editor

By Suzanne Bellsndyer

The Spearman Economic Development Corporation met on Tuesday and heard a presentation from their Director Bonnie Thompson. Thompson laid out the presentation with the projects that the EDC has been involved in since 2018. Here are the highlights of that report.

Purpose Statement: “Our Purpose for the Spearman Economic Development Corporation is to promote and develop commercial, industrial, manufacturing and other economic enterprises in order to eliminate unemployment and to enhance the public welfare of, for and on behalf of the city, all in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation. For this, there’s no better place than Spearman! Our goal is to make Spearman a community where businesses and individuals can prosper.”

The Report Details funding for EDC projects, including facade grants, non-profit and for-profit loans, infrastructure projects, the Southpark Housing Project, and the 2019 COVID relief project. Overall the report shows that the EDC has helped a total of 27 individual businesses and a have given out approximately $250,000 in grants and loans over the six year period.

Here are some of the projects found in the EDC report:

Diamond G Irrigation (2024)- $6,106.63 to assist with septic and a water system for their Business located on Hwy 207 Frontage Road.

The SportsZone Annexation Project (2020) - $31,796.27 paid to the City of Spearman to cover the costs of materials to extend city services to SportsZone as part of a collaboration on annexation.

O’Loughlin Center 2019 - $9,750 Grant for Memberships for Hansford County First Responders and Kids Camp.

O’Loughlin Center 2019 - $10,000 Grant for Senior Meal Program.

Hansford County Golf Course (2023)- $10,000 Grant to assist with capital improvements at the Golf Course and a full-time employee.

Mural Project (2021) - $3,000 to pay Katy George to for supplies and labor Paint Murals Around Town.

City of Spearman (2023) - $9,500 for the purchase Park Improvements at Holton Park.

Gordon’s Fountain, (2018) - $48,000 Loan for seven years to purchase business, building inventory and repairing the roof. Ashly Patterson purchased the business and took over the balance of the loan in 2019.

Plains Shopping Center (2024) to replace awning and repair the parking lot.

If you would like more information please contact the Thompson at the EDC office.

A link to the EDC powerpoint will be uploaded and can be found on the EDC website at https://spearmanedc.org/