Alva Review-Courier -

Connor Martin was sworn in as the new Alva City Council member in Ward 1 Monday night. Martin takes the seat left vacant by the resignation of Bryce Benson who served the city more than 25 years.

Benson's resignation left several vacancies to be filled on council committees and city boards. Mayor Kelly Parker assigned Martin to the finance committee along with Brandon Sherman and Bo Hannaford. Martin was also appointed to fill Benson's unexpired term on the Alva Tourism and Convention Committee.

In another action, Parker nominated Martin to replace Benson as the city council representative on the Woods County Industrial Trust Authority, and the council voted approval.

Taking the place of Benson on other committees will be Brian Wallis on the ordinance review committee and Daniel Winters on the public safety committee.

Local business owner Meagan Caldwell was approved for appointment to the Alva Planning Commission. She will fill the unexpired term left by the resignation of Chaunce Schultz who moved away from Alva.

New Economic Development Committee

City officials and department heads met recently to discuss budget plans for the next fiscal year and other city topics. Mayor Parker said the need for an economic development committee was brought up. He provided a list of the proposed committee's responsibilities:

• Promote economic development activities for the city.

• Support new business development for the city with potential business startups, entrepreneurs, and expanding businesses.

• Support growth and expansion of existing businesses and local business organizations in the city.

• Engage in efforts to establish communication strategies, technical assistance, infrastructure development, funding opportunities, procurement of real property, and other municipal professional assistance to support the growth and expansion of new and existing business in the Alva area.

• Cooperate with economic development agencies and organizations to improve the economic development of efforts in the City of Alva.

• Pursue grants, agency funding and contributions that benefit the City of Alva economic development recruitment and retention.

• Work with the city council, other economic development partners and staff to create economic opportunities in the City of Alva.

• Promote the City of Alva on a regional, statewide, national and/or international level to prospective businesses.

The city council voted to approve creation of the new committee consisting of three council members. The mayor appointed Bo Hannaford, Mary Hamilton and Connor Martin.