THE BRIDGES OF SISKIYOU COUNTY: In light of the Minnesota
disaster, Siskiyou County Public Works Director Brian McDermott gave the Board a brief
update on the county’s bridge inventory. There are 172 bridges at least 20 feet in
length within the county. All are inspected by the state at least every four months. Some
are on a two year inspection cycle and a few on a six months cycle. According to
McDermott, one of the biggest problems we have is heavy vehicles crossing bridges beyond
their posted weight limits.
The bridge that failed in Minnesota was rated a 50. There are eight
bridges in Siskiyou rated less than 50, although none have been determined to be in danger
of imminent failure. Three of these bridges are currently in the redesign stage for
replacement, (Ash Creek, Jenny Creek and Shasta River bridge in Edgewood.)
Although federal and state funds generally pay for replacement, (not
maintenance,) the associated environmental processes are extremely cumbersome, lengthy and
expensive. On Ash Creek, for instance, we will have paid more on the environmental process
than on actual engineering. Environmental permitting can take years, as was the case on
the Shackleford bridge.
ENTERPRISE ZONE: Siskiyou County
has a small Enterprise Zone in the Shasta Valley that will sunset in 2008. The Zone is a
package of tax credits and incentives that are available to both existing and new
businesses located in these economically distressed areas. Benefits include a wage credit
for hiring qualified low income employees as well as a sales tax credit on machinery
purchases. Enterprise Zone Companies can also receive preference points on state
contracts.
Soon, applications will be taken on the designation of eight new
zones in California. It is a very competitive process and there are at least twice the
number of applicants as there are slots. Under new rules, it has been determined that the
entire county of Siskiyou is eligible to apply. Like a swiss cheese, the actual zone will
be drawn to include only areas where there are businesses. The Siskiyou County Economic
Development Council (SCEDC) is taking the lead on engaging cities and towns in the
application process and in determining where Zone boundaries should lie. http://www.siskiyoucounty.org/ All cities in the
county are eligible to join into the new Zone. In order to participate, a city must pledge
to contribute a certain annual amount to pay for program administration. Recently, the
Board of Supervisors pledged to contribute up to $125,000 a year for fifteen years for
this purpose. This will include unincorporated cities such as Happy Camp into the Zone.
The current Enterprise Zone has been very helpful to mid-sized
companies such as Roseberg Forest Products, Nor-Cal Products, Crystal Geyser Roxane and
Timber Products, as well as smaller businesses with employees. In 2006, the existing Zone
was tied to 1,986 full and part-time jobs and brought approximately $209,400,000 in
revenue to business and organizations. It is estimated that from 30-50% of jobs within the
current boundary can be attributed to the Enterprise Zone.
It is one of the tools that Siskiyou County has for improving economic
development and bringing family waged jobs to our communities.
If you are interested in more information or would like to support
the application, please call Tonya Dowse at the SCEDC at 842-1638. |
