WILLMAR -- The Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission is launching a formal search this month for a lobbyist who can represent the agency in St. Paul during the upcoming legislative session -- especially in the quest to secure a veterans home in Willmar.
The process also is being thrown open to any well-connected candidate willing to advocate on behalf of the EDC.
A request for proposals has been drafted, and the EDC is collecting names of potential lobbyists who could submit a proposal.
"We know we have a short time window so this will go out this coming week, we hope," said Steve Renquist, executive director of the Economic Development Commission.
Renquist brought the members of the EDC operations board up to date Thursday on the hiring process for a lobbyist.
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Having someone at the state Capitol who can speak for local interests is seen as particularly crucial this coming year, which might be the year the Legislature agrees to fund a veterans home with mental health programming in Willmar.
The effort came close this year and in 2008, Renquist said.
"It actually got to the end of the session conference committee both times before it got cut," he said.
Although it's possible the state budget crisis will squash the project a third time, the state "seems ready to move" this coming year, Renquist said.
The project is one that has been pushed by local officials for four years now. It's listed among the top six priorities of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.
Renquist said the state's veterans "need and deserve this facility."
With the addition of mental health programming, it is "more than just a nursing home," he said.
It would also create an estimated 130 jobs that would pay relatively well and would be recession-proof, Renquist said. "That is very desirable to any community."
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The upcoming 2010 session will be the third year in a row the EDC has had a lobbyist at the state Capitol.
During the past two years, this role has been filled by former state Sen. Dean Johnson of Willmar.
This time around, the EDC will choose from a slate of candidates.
"It is our position that the job will be handed to no one," Renquist said. "It will be an open process."
The cost has been split the previous two years with the city of Willmar and Kandiyohi County. In 2008, the city, the county and the EDC each chipped in $12,000. This past year the EDC paid $12,000, but the city and county both lowered their share to $6,000 each.
The Economic Development Commission will go it alone next year with a $12,000 allocation for lobbying services, Renquist said. "That's all we have budgeted."
It's hoped to have someone selected in January. Candidates should have a knowledge of public policy, an understanding of the legislative process and a well-developed political network. The EDC also wants candidates to be well versed in the Minnesota Veterans Affairs Department and Minnesota military networks.
