Elk County Forum

Finally....

The Elk County Board of Commissioners today voted on a final resolution detailing the disposition of tne 2010 wind farm PILOT monies received in March of this year.  The $850,500.00 has been spent as follows:

$300,000 allocated to the Road & Bridge Dept for equipment purchase (sheepsfoot for compacting roadbeds), raises, newhires (4) & materials as needed (rock,etc).
$125,250 allocated to the Employee Benefit Fund to cover costs of Road Dept wage/personnel changes (health insurance, pensions, employer's share of payroll taxes, etc.)
$251,832 allocated to debt payoff (clerk/treasurer computer software program loan - $43,823, courthouse roof loan - $144,000 & ambulance refurbish loan - $64,009)
$173,418 transferred to the county General Fund (if not spent in FY2012, the remainder can be used to offset FY2013 budget needs thereby helping to potentially stabilizing the mill levy in 2013)

Nope, no golf courses or activity centers or county fire/ambulance/health dept buildings in Howard this time around.  Less debt, better roads with a bit left over.  Well done commissioners.  It's a good start.

With the full 200 MW wind farm system commissioned in 2012, the county should receive the second payment of about $918,000 at the end of this year.

In other news, the commission retained a county counselor as allowed by state law.  He will be advising the county on civil matters and providing advice to county officers.  Your cost will be $1200.00 per month in retainer.  I'll bet he even knows about lawful executive sessions and KOMA requirements.

Sounds like the money was spent wisely and I have a sneaky suspicion that a couple of "trouble makers" on this forum might have had a hand in it. Thanks Fly-Boy and the ol swabbie ;)

Good job County Commissioners!
No "Beggar-Thy-Neighbor"   monies wasted this time around.
Is it possibly because, it is an election year?
What ever the case it sounds like the money was well used.


Your vote is much more valuable here at home in Elk County, then on the national level, IMHO

Quote from: jarhead on May 29, 2012, 09:24:34 PM
Sounds like the money was spent wisely and I have a sneaky suspicion that a couple of "trouble makers" on this forum might have had a hand in it. Thanks Fly-Boy and the ol swabbie ;)

You probably believe Obama had something to do with winning WWII. If hit had been up to those "Troublemakers Elk County would not have even had the Windfarm. Those two have done alot more damage to Elk County than good. The only thing you got right is they are troublemakers.

Quote from: Oldtimer on May 30, 2012, 06:39:07 AM
You probably believe Obama had something to do with winning WWII. If hit had been up to those "Troublemakers Elk County would not have even had the Windfarm. Those two have done alot more damage to Elk County than good. The only thing you got right is they are troublemakers.

Now why would I think Obama had anything to do with winning WW-II ? That is absurd and just plain ol stupid on your part. As an oldtimer you should know that WW-II ended in 1945,16 years before Obama was born---if we can believe anything about his birth. Care to share your proof that the "trouble makers" would not even have the wind farm ? Maybe they would have went about it different but guess I missed where they were dead set against it.

Quote from: Oldtimer on May 30, 2012, 06:39:07 AM
You probably believe Obama had something to do with winning WWII.

Now you know that is wrong!
Remember, it was the Civil War Obama lead? LOL
Just kidding!

Quote from: Oldtimer on May 30, 2012, 06:39:07 AM
If hit had been up to those "Troublemakers Elk County would not have even had the Windfarm. Those two have done alot more damage to Elk County than good. The only thing you got right is they are troublemakers.

Please be specific about the accusations of Damage, such as who, what where, when and how? Please, back up you accusations with facts. Or the accusation really don't mean anything.

There is that narrow mindedness, Elk Konnected, LLC thinking again, isn't it?

I suppose if the funds were used/wasted on "Beggar-Thy-Neighbor" programs then perhaps you would be happy?

The County Commissioners have done something very right, why can't you appreciate it?


Oldtimer, I sure would like to hear from you about what Elk Konnected, LLC has done to improve the quality of life in Elk County? And how?

What part did Elk Konnected, LLC have in getting the Windfarm here?

Why didn't Elk Konnected, LLC get $3 Million for Elk County like Enid, Oklahoma is getting from the same company and the same size windfarm?

I bet a lot of other people reading this forum would like to hear or read your remarks on these three questions!

And perhaps we can get some of that Elk Konnected, LLC positive attitude from you, to spread throughout the county. What do you think?

If you, in talking about damage, are refering to the "Beggar-Thy-Neighbor" programs to repair streets and storefronts in Howard, I have a couple of suggestions.

Talk with the Howard City Council about using the Kansas State "Beggar-Thy-Neighbor" programs for community block grants for that purpose. The state has far more money, don't they?

Ask the store owners to clean up their own properties, after all they own them, don't they?
Do the store owners really require "Beggar-Thy-Neighbor" money, I don't think so, do you?

Batson's is a great example, just look at the great improvements they have made to downtown Howard.

Batson's has provided a great example for other owners to follow, don't you think?

The city clean up policies had nothing to do with it nor did Elk Konnected, LLC either did they?

I believe it was self motivation on the part of the owners, don't you? And they can take great pride in ther efforts, don't you think? Self motivation, something to be proud of!

So where are the damages and who is ultimately responsible?

Let's hear it, please!

Please be specific about the accusations of Damage, such as who, what, where, when and how? Please, back up you accusations with facts. Or the accusation really don't mean anything.

Quote from: Oldtimer on May 30, 2012, 06:39:07 AM
Those two have done alot more damage to Elk County than good. The only thing you got right is they are troublemakers.

If you think cronyism, abusive application of power, special interest pandering, heavyhanded manipulation and misuse of taxpayer resources hasn't done any damage to Elk County, then perhaps a look at the last census, some research on property taxation stats in Kansas and a hard look at internal operations at the county level might change your thinking.  Though I doubt it.  If by 'troublemakers' you mean standing against those those things first listed above, then thanks for the compliment.

You seem convinced that emotional, knee jerk reactions to sunshine leaking into government backrooms are the answer.  Put on some sunglasses and take another look at the way things have really been 'working' in Elk for some years.  

Quote from: jarhead on May 30, 2012, 07:07:24 AM
Care to share your proof that the "trouble makers" would not even have the wind farm ? Maybe they would have went about it different but guess I missed where they were dead set against it.

Truth such a wonderful thing.  Thanks for the honest observation jarhead.

Isn't it amazing how a thread started to simply report publicly available facts about a county action (and a positive action, at that) results in a sharp turn to the 'left' and becomes a medium for some to once again engage in personal attacks on private citizens' character or motive.  How Konnected of you, Oldtimer, and shame on you.

Who are you to be "shaming" anyone for having a different opinion?  I thought this was still an open forum.

Quote from: Diane Amberg on May 30, 2012, 01:09:29 PM
Who are you to be "shaming" anyone for having a different opinion?  I thought this was still an open forum.

Perhaps you should re-read my entire comment in context, Diane.  If the shame were simply for a difference of opinion that would be wrong, IMO.  It wasn't, however, so I'll gladly stand by it.  If you still think me wrong, then so be it. 

Now that our opinions about personal matters are clear, what's your take on the PILOT expenditures?

Quote from: Patriot on May 30, 2012, 02:31:52 PM
Perhaps you should re-read my entire comment in context,

Patriot, Surely you jest!

Quote from: Ross on May 30, 2012, 03:03:10 PM
Patriot, Surely you jest![

Sorry, Ross.  I let common sense creep in.... again. ;D

   O K, let's try this again. Why should any of you be shaming anyone for anything? That implies a feeling of superiority.
  Personal attacks on private citizens? You are experts and never skip an opportunity! I'd think you had tougher hide yourselves than that. Why should your personal attacks be any more righteous than anyone else's?
If your group was so wise and knowledgeable...with verifiable facts not opinions... people there would be tripping over themselves to hang on your every word.
  Whether you think you can justify it or not, you have been labeled as trouble makers, not elder sages. It's not so much your ideas that turn some people off, as it is the ram rod superior attitude and belittling comments from some of you.
   Why do you assume the trouble makers had influence on the money decisions rather than the non trouble makers?
As as far as the windy money, it sounds OK to me, but I'd have to recuse myself on one small thing involving the ambulance service. I really don't like what I heard, but I was asked to just leave it alone, so I have. Why would you want my non resident opinion anyway? It's not like you have any respect for anything I ever say.
  Please note that real political "conversation" on the politics threads has ground to a halt, except for a few who post other people's work of one kind or another and post having no idea if anyone reads it or even cares. 
  Yes, that's off topic. I keep expecting the bunch who always allowed as how a "real" commander in chief has to have military back ground to jump in. I wonder what they have to say now.  HA!
  Ross, you know where you can stick it.

Quote from: Diane Amberg on May 30, 2012, 04:32:44 PM
O K, let's try this again.

Let's not and just say we did.

Quote from: Diane Amberg on May 30, 2012, 04:32:44 PM
If your group was so wise and knowledgeable...with verifiable facts not opinions... people there would be tripping over themselves to hang on your every word.

Group, what group?  There is no 'group'.  Now, read the first post in this public information thread, consider calling the county clerk (1-877-504-2490), get a copy of the resolution signed by the commission chairperson yesterday (#12-04 or #12-05, I think), and then impune my facts.  I dare ya. 

As for 'opinions', what's the problem, you're full of it them.

As for any other information you consider less than verifiable, just ask, I'll try to enlighten you with some additional information.... though the responses may need to be placed in the Politics section.

Quote from: Diane Amberg on May 30, 2012, 04:32:44 PM
...people there would be tripping over themselves to hang on your every word.

The street level facts, in that regard, would likely surprise the living bat poop out of ya, diane.  You might talk to a few dozen more citizens here before you set that opinion in concrete.

Quote from: Diane Amberg on May 30, 2012, 04:32:44 PM
Please note that real political "conversation" on the politics threads has ground to a halt, except for a few who post other people's work of one kind or another and post having no idea if anyone reads it or even cares. 
Yes, that's off topic. I keep expecting the bunch who always allowed as how a "real" commander in chief has to have military back ground to jump in. I wonder what they have to say now.  HA!

Yep, that was off topic.  Worse, it made no sense.  If you are somehow inferring that this thread is political, I disagree as the information has much broader interest to the general public, IMO.

Quote from: Diane Amberg on May 30, 2012, 04:32:44 PM
As as far as the windy money, it sounds OK to me...

Thanks for your input.

Quote from: Diane Amberg on May 30, 2012, 04:32:44 PM
Why would you want my non resident opinion anyway?

Not sure I do, personally... but it's an open forum.

Quote from: Diane Amberg on May 30, 2012, 04:32:44 PM
Ross, you know where you can stick it.

Didn't you just say someting about "ram rod superior attitude and belittling comments"?   Goose, meet gander... gander, meet goose.

Ross is a gander alright...he spoke ,uh, honked first. Common sense indeed!  You don't seem to think anyone else out there has any!
If you didn't personally want my input, why did you ask? Oh, never mind.
  Sorry for the apparent political misstep. It won't happen again.There really is a connection, but I'm not going to take the time to explain it just to be squashed again.

Quote from: Diane Amberg on May 30, 2012, 04:32:44 PM
  O K, let's try this again. Why should any of you be shaming anyone for anything?

 Ross, you know where you can stick it.

Even though there is no group except for EK Followers, thank you Diane for all those words of wisdom from
1,300 miles away!

I don't recollect anyone taking credit for anything that took place at the County Commissioners meeting, only read that something was done right.

Oh, No Diane, please Tell me, where can I stick what?

Where is your sense of humor?


LOL!

Quote from: Diane Amberg on May 30, 2012, 05:34:47 PM
Ross is a gander alright...he spoke ,uh, honked first. Common sense indeed!  You don't seem to think anyone else out there has any!
If you didn't personally want my input, why did you ask? Oh, never mind.
  Sorry for the apparent political misstep. It won't happen again.There really is a connection, but I'm not going to take the time to explain it just to be squashed again.

Vitriol?  What vitriol?  I fear you've become the very thing you claim to dislike.  As for your input, perhaps I wasn't asking for my sake, but for the readership in general.  Maybe I'm just nice that way.   ;D

Quote from: Ross on May 30, 2012, 07:43:30 AM
Now you know that is wrong!
Remember, it was the Civil War Obama lead? LOL
Just kidding!

nahhh he's too light to be put up on the front lines. he would have been a house *****

Quote from: Diane Amberg on May 30, 2012, 01:09:29 PM
Who are you to be "shaming" anyone for having a different opinion?  I thought this was still an open forum.

You know he does have that right, its called 1st amendment

Quote from Diane:
I keep expecting the bunch who always allowed as how a "real" commander in chief has to have military back ground to jump in. I wonder what they have to say now. HA!
Diane,
Try as I might I can't figure out what you are talking about with this statement
and where it fit in on the conversation. Either you drank one extra bottle of "Two Buck Chuck" after dinner or I'm too dense to decipher what you're getting at.

Sorry Jar...don't hurt yourself trying to figure out what I meant. It has to do with people just doing the right thing because it's right, and not needing to have some other reason or previous experience or pressure  to be able to make common sense decisions.
  It looks like the windy money is being divided up well .Why are any of you assuming that only certain political pressure would force the current commissioners to choose wisely?
 Several of you didn't think Obama would be a good Commander in Chief because of lack of military experience. Now "Mitt'' is going to be the apparent Repub.candidate and he doesn't have any either.  So, he couldn't possibly make any good decisions without certain political pressure?  Wouldn't any of them get advice before they make decisions in an area they don't know a lot about?
 Yes, it's probably a poor connection and a poor example and it's surely not 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon, but I saw it and commented . My freedom of speech too ya know...even if Old Timer isn't supposed to have any. It's a shame free speech doesn't come with a book of manners to go with it! I don't understand why a few of you are so unnecessarily rude.
That's it for me. I have a very hard working and busy weekend ahead of me. UD just finished and we take back the town with our annual big party on Main St. tomorrow. If the weather holds thousands of people will come and it's loads of fun,but hard work for us.Yes, I'm sure you could care less. Oh well.
   Enjoy the weekend you all.

Huh ? Bacon ? degrees ? CiC ? Romney ? Windy money ? UD ? Taking back our town ? Rude ?
I think I will take your advice and not hurt myself trying to figger things out---but I thank you for trying to help me.

Quote from: Diane Amberg on May 30, 2012, 05:34:47 PM
Ross is a gander alright...he spoke ,uh, honked first. Common sense indeed!  You don't seem to think anyone else out there has any!
If you didn't personally want my input, why did you ask? Oh, never mind.
  Sorry for the apparent political misstep. It won't happen again.There really is a connection, but I'm not going to take the time to explain it just to be squashed again.

In todays society, when it concerns money all common sense goes down the toilet. Everyones in it for me me me... Money for golf courses, money for the kids, money for this pet project or that pet project, when in fact its not a free for all grab, it is supposed to go to the funding of true constitutional government expenditures. I.E. roads, water, ect.......

Can someone fill in the details of the computer/software loan for the clerk and treasurer? I know of some software programs that could do everything for the county at a MUCH lower cost than what was stated. (Even if you threw in some fancy computers to use it on.)

Quote from: Humpy on June 05, 2012, 11:06:46 AM
Can someone fill in the details of the computer/software loan for the clerk and treasurer? I know of some software programs that could do everything for the county at a MUCH lower cost than what was stated. (Even if you threw in some fancy computers to use it on.)

As I understand it, this is one of a couple of packages that are sanctioned for county use by the State of Kansas.  Don't know the original purchase price for sure.  Also, I think this is a vertical software package for which we pay a support/update fee of about $24,000 per year.  The treasurer or clerk should be able to provide complete details.

Ifin you want money spent, call the government (local, state or federal).... they're experts! :P

That's true, Patriot. 
The State   provides for only a few slelect vendors for their programs at the county level.  They are intertwined within the State's systems and usually are connected by a server in Topeka.  They are not cheap!  However the computers are a little high priced for the hardware that is required.

ready

Quote from: Humpy on June 05, 2012, 11:06:46 AM
Can someone fill in the details of the computer/software loan for the clerk and treasurer? I know of some software programs that could do everything for the county at a MUCH lower cost than what was stated. (Even if you threw in some fancy computers to use it on.)

So could I, in fact i could find everything for free. The only cost would be in setting it up for them and the hardware.  But those in government think you gotta spend 25-50k on software.  And thats cheap too!  I've sold govt entities software along with installation setup and training for over 150,000 dollars to do the functions they require.  I made good money at it.  was it necessary? Nope. It could have been done for around 5000 -8000 and thats for the time spent on setup, build and installation.

But heck if they want to spend 150k, i'm not going to twist their arms into not spending 150k as long as it goes into my pocket!

Quote from: readyaimduck on June 05, 2012, 04:16:51 PM
That's true, Patriot. 
The State   provides for only a few slelect vendors for their programs at the county level.  They are intertwined within the State's systems and usually are connected by a server in Topeka.  They are not cheap!  However the computers are a little high priced for the hardware that is required.

ready

But ready your not paying for  the hardware your paying for service. if that computer goes down, then whoever has the service agreement is going to charge a good price if they have to drive out to fix the problem.   I charge 60 dollars an hour to service a computer.  The reason i do, i can. And i earned it.  I have the experience and skill to do that and in less time than some fella out there that plinks around with it.    Would you rather pay 250.00 for 10 hours work or 200 dollars for 3 1/2 hours work. Shrug.  the time frame that the computer is down is first priority in a business. You can't fart around with some cheap labor to get the computer back up.    That is a valueable expenditure for any government entity or business and is justifiable expense. NOW the software is another story.  The only reason they limit to specific vendors is that someone up in the state capitol is getting a kickback from the vendors.  BEEN THERE seen that!   Think about it, you have two vendors, both are kicking back 10% to you, with 105 counties all spending 25k a year, thats 262,000 dollars going into some politicians pocket!  Not bad for not even having to lift a finger and thats every year they get that. 

Might be the later!

QuoteBut ready your not paying for  the hardware your paying for service. if that computer goes down, then whoever has the service agreement is going to charge a good price if they have to drive out to fix the problem.

Actually, we pay for the software which was created by another company. We have tech support for that in Topeka as well as the company and for their servers.
The Hardware, our computers if they crashis serviced by our local IT @ $75  (you need to raise your rates Steve!  :) 
And guns...I do believe you are correct.  Whoever gets the bid, gets the kiss.

ready

...or 'toe tap' depending on how one rolls!    ::)

Quote from: readyaimduck on June 06, 2012, 08:20:15 PM
Actually, we pay for the software which was created by another company. We have tech support for that in Topeka as well as the company and for their servers.
The Hardware, our computers if they crashis serviced by our local IT @ $75  (you need to raise your rates Steve!  :) 
And guns...I do believe you are correct.  Whoever gets the bid, gets the kiss.

ready

I could charge more, but quite frankly, why?  Shrug.  I'm not greedy.  Plus my service is unparalleled by anyone. Most of the systems i sold or serviced (after fixing the problem after another tech) haven't gone down once.  Its all about how you set it up to be self maintaining. 
75 a hour is nice price for service. :)   

and the customer saves 15 a hour. Not a bad deal at all. :)

Why does the wind farm pilot( taxpayer  subsidized  funds)  come as a lump sum.  Why not half in December and half in May like everyone else's?    Why do they have to come up with the entire amount at once.  We could spend it all by January and June respectively.


Then we could break up the road budget into winter wind paid improvements and summer fix the improvements that we just did that past winter.

Quote from: Vitriol on June 15, 2012, 07:38:04 PM
Why does the wind farm pilot( taxpayer  subsidized  funds)  come as a lump sum.  Why not half in December and half in May like everyone else's?    Why do they have to come up with the entire amount at once.  We could spend it all by January and June respectively.


Then we could break up the road budget into winter wind paid improvements and summer fix the improvements that we just did that past winter.

even simpler yet, just budget 1/2 for winter 1/2 for summer.  PRoblem solved

Quote from: Vitriol on June 15, 2012, 07:38:04 PM
Why does the wind farm pilot( taxpayer  subsidized  funds)  come as a lump sum.  Why not half in December and half in May like everyone else's?    Why do they have to come up with the entire amount at once.  We could spend it all by January and June respectively.
Then we could break up the road budget into winter wind paid improvements and summer fix the improvements that we just did that past winter.

Anxious or greedy which is it?

But the reason that it is yearly is because the elected officials signed a contract.

A twenty year contract I believe.

I still wouldn't count on a million a year. It depends on the yearly out put of the windfarm and if you haven't noticed the wind doesn't blow everyday, 24 hours a day and output depends on wind.

Heres a question. How does the county know how much energy was created?  Who has control of the "meter" to measure output?   Or are they just taking the comanies word for it

I have refuted this notion of Ross' several times, but he doesn't seem to get it, because it doesn't fit his agenda.  The PILOT is tied to nameplate capacity, not actual output.  Read back through the various threads in which the windfarm has been discussed and see how many times this notion of Ross' has been quashed.  Better yet, take the links that have been presented and read the PILOT agreement for yourselves.

Quote from: Vitriol on June 15, 2012, 07:38:04 PM
Why does the wind farm pilot( taxpayer  subsidized  funds)  come as a lump sum.  Why not half in December and half in May like everyone else's?

Ask Commissioner Hendricks.  She was the instrumental force in the PILOT negotiations.

Quote from: flintauqua on June 15, 2012, 10:20:17 PM
I have refuted this notion of Ross' several times, but he doesn't seem to get it, because it doesn't fit his agenda.  The PILOT is tied to nameplate capacity, not actual output.  Read back through the various threads in which the windfarm has been discussed and see how many times this notion of Ross' has been quashed.  Better yet, take the links that have been presented and read the PILOT agreement for yourselves.

On this item, Flintauqua is right (choke).  The payment is based on nameplate capacity, and I believe at the rate of $4500 per Megawatt hour.  Additionally, the amount paid increases 2% per year as long as the agreement is in force.  The base nameplate capacity for this project, when fully operational, is 200 MW, therefore the full first year PILOT was $900,000.  We got $850,500 because all the generators were not certified by the end of year 1 (2011).  The 2012 payment should be $918,000 ($4500 + 2%) x 200MW and is due and payable on or before December 31, 2012.

What happens if the payment is late (as is was this time)?  Very little as the negotiators made no provision for late fees or interest penalties in such cases. ???

I, as well have pointed these things out more than once in the past and seem to remember posting links to the final contract as well.

Okay, I'm a bit hard headed. I"ll concede I may very well be wrong? Oh, and it wouldn't be the first time!

But I don't understand why some one would want to pay for something that perhaps they don't generate!

I'd prefer to wait and see what actually happens at the end of the first year.

After all the initial start up money was paid late, something no one expected, right?

     Hey, Rossy, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat. Oops, wrong hat.  :o

Quote from: Bullwinkle on June 19, 2012, 04:26:05 PM
     Hey, Rossy, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat. Oops, wrong hat.  :o

Actually, in terms of pulling things out, the time may be past as the horse is likely already outta the barn. 

Quote from: Bullwinkle on June 19, 2012, 04:26:05 PM
     Hey, Rossy, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat. Oops, wrong hat.  :o

ROTFLMAO

Must have been a real squirrel !
Was it out gathering nut's for the winter ?

Perhaps you migh clarify?

Is that possible for you?

    Well, maybe, but I'm pretty busy getting in shape for the next football season at Wossamotta U. Incidentally, I'm a moose, you're the squirrel. ;)

Quote from: Bullwinkle on June 19, 2012, 08:02:49 PM
   Well, maybe, but I'm pretty busy getting in shape for the next football season at Wossamotta U. Incidentally, I'm a moose, you're the squirrel. ;)

B.S. Remember you pulled it out of your hat.
Be careful and don't bump that head so much.

And have a good night.

     I don't think it's BS that I pulled out of my hat,
( looked more like a lion to me ). I always have a God night, thank you ! :angel:

Don't know where you heard that, but in checking the Butler County budget, they have received their PILOT from the wind farm in tax years '08, '09, '10 and '11.  

For those who are wondering what in the heck this is about, there was a previous post that has been deleted since I first posted my response.  

The post was made by Prehistoric Rez, dated today, quoting a portion of Patriot's post from June, and asserting that Butler County had not received its windfarm PILOT for 5-6 years.

Teaches me that I should always quote the post I'm reponding to!

Quote from: flintauqua on August 22, 2012, 02:01:34 PM
The post was made by Prehistoric Rez, dated today, quoting a portion of Patriot's post from June, and asserting that Butler County had not received its windfarm PILOT for 5-6 years.

And just to be perfectly clear, I don't believe anything I said made any reference to or assertion about Butler's PILOT.

Quote from: flintauqua on August 22, 2012, 02:01:34 PMTeaches me that I should always quote the post I'm reponding to!

Never to late to learn, eh?    :)

Elk County is a great place to live. If you do not like it here, why stay?

      (http://s2.freebeacon.com/up/2012/08/Wind-Mills.png)


http://freebeacon.com/breaking-wind/

Breaking Wind

How a foreign wind power company took tens of millions of U.S. dollars before laying-off hundreds of Americans

The struggling, foreign-owned wind power company that laid off two-thirds of its Arkansas workforce earlier this month after receiving more than $30 million in aid from the federal government also received $15 million from the state of Arkansas and was heavily promoted by the state's Democratic governor.

LM Wind Power, a Denmark-based global wind energy firm, promised to bring 1,000 jobs to Little Rock, Ark., when its manufacturing facility broke ground in 2007. In return, it received $15 million from the state and a multitude of tax breaks.

According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the firm received $6.9 million from Arkansas Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe's Quick Action Closing Fund, and $8 million from the state's Economic Infrastructure Fund. It also received a 25-year corporate income tax exemption, sales-tax refunds on building materials and equipment, and a 5 percent rebate on new payroll for 10 years.

"Today we celebrate the result of this successful partnership," Beebe announced in 2008 when LM Wind Power opened its doors.

Beebe has been an ardent supporter of subsidizing wind energy.

"Anyone standing in the way of this industry, frankly, they're un-American," Beebe said at a June wind power conference in Atlanta. LM Wind Power's global headquarters is located in Denmark.

However, early this August, just days after a $32 million loan from the Export-Import (Ex-IM) Bank was approved to a Brazilian company to purchase LM Wind turbines from its Arkansas facility, the firm laid off 234 of the Arkansas plant's roughly 300 workers.

"We have this week told our workforce that we are re-sizing our workforce and business to fit our plans for 2013," Adam Ruple, human resources director for LM Wind Power, told the City Wire of Arkansas.

In its press release, the Ex-Im Bank claimed the loan would support "250 permanent American jobs."

The Ex-Im Bank was created in 1934 by Franklin Roosevelt to facilitate trade between the U.S and other nations. Over the past five years, the bank has supported $314.6 million in Arkansas exports.

The Ex-Im Bank enjoys broad support from a majority of congressional Democrats and Republicans, who say it bolsters U.S. exports.

"We're helping thousands of businesses sell more of their products and services overseas," President Obama said after Congress recently extended funding for the Ex-Im Bank through 2014.

Under a deal cut in Congress by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, the bank's lending limit was increased to $140 billion over three years, up from its previous $100 billion limit.

The Senate rejected an amendment offered by Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, to abolish the bank.

Arkansas Republican Rep. Tim Griffin was in the minority of House members to oppose the reauthorization of the Ex-Im Bank.

"The federal government should not be in the business of subsidizing foreign companies and putting hardworking American taxpayer dollars at risk," Rep. Tim Griffin said at the time. "For decades, the federal government has subsidized credit through the Ex-Im Bank instead of encouraging private-sector financing through the market."

Gov. Beebe's office did not return multiple requests for comment.

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission, which handles the state's Economic Infrastructure Fund, did not return requests for comment.

When reached by phone, LM Wind Power's American headquarters directed the Free Beacon to its Denmark offices.

The firm's Denmark headquarters did not return multiple requests for comment.