GALLIPOLIS - Community Improvement Corporation Board President David Wiseman again approached the Gallia County Commissioners at Thursday's regular meeting to ask for funding and walked away empty handed.

According to Wiseman, the county agreed to fund the CIC with $20,000 per year, which they did in 2005.

“I'm looking for the $20,000 from last year and the $20,000 for this year,” Wiseman said.

Commissioner Fred Deel spoke up about the three-year agreement, stating that while he agreed to the three years, the board of commissioners as an entity only agreed to fund the project in 2005 and revisit it in subsequent years.

Since CIC Executive Director Sam Crawford resigned on Dec. 22, 2006, citing health reasons, the CIC is now looking for a new director.

According to Wiseman, it will be difficult for the CIC to fund the day-to-day operations and attract a new director without the county's help. The CIC board fears other funding sources will disappear if the county does not support the organization.

Commissioner David Smith, though understanding of the importance of economic development for the growth of the county, was hesitant in supporting the funding of the CIC.

“If we can't make the roads secure with deputies, how can we fund this?” Smith said. “I'm all for economic development, but basic services have to be provided to the 31,000 people in this county.”

“We appreciate that the county has obligations, but economic development is how you make the budget grow,” Wiseman said.

Deel asked Wiseman to give new Commissioner Justin Fallon a chance to review the situation before having to vote, which was agreed upon by all parties.

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