County group’s pitch falls flat in Hillsboro

Hillsboro won’t give $44,500 to the new county economic development corporation until someone can spell out how the money will be used and how the city would benefit.

“They don’t want to just throw money in a pot and say, ‘It’s there; go do what you want with it,’” city administrator Larry Paine said after a council meeting last week.

The county, Marion, and Peabody have pledged $1,172,500 over five years.

Chairman Russell Groves nonetheless termed the meeting a good first step.

Groves said he would try to put together a more detailed business plan as quickly as possible, but because the city budget for next year is being set now, it may be too late for 2018.

“It’s going to take a little bit of packaging,” Groves said.