Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
It appears the Greater Tucumcari Economic Development Corp. won’t have its lapsed federal nonprofit status restored until sometime in early 2025.
The EDC’s interim director, Kristine Olsen, told board members last Tuesday there is an eight-month backlog for the Internal Revenue Service to act on nonprofit requests.
That would put the EDC’s federal nonprofit reinstatement in early 2025.
The IRS revoked the organization’s nonprofit status in 2016 after it had failed to file the required documents since 2012.
Olsen said she decided against a reinstatement from the EDC’s revocation date. She said a so-called postcard reinstatement would incur tax liability on donations and memberships, but was told the effect would be minimal.
The City of Tucumcari and Quay County have approved contracts with the EDC but have not transferred any funds to the organization since its lapsed nonprofit status came to light.
Olsen has served as the EDC’s interim director since its previous director, Patrick Vanderpool, departed last summer.
The EDC board had a contract ready from Johnson & Sheldon accounting firm in Amarillo, but it lacked a quorum during last Tuesday’s meeting and could not approve it.
Olsen said she would call a special meeting to act on the contract.
In addition to filing the nonprofit paperwork, Olsen said the Johnson & Sheldon firm could reconcile the EDC’s QuickBooks financial accounts.
Olsen said the firm also would offer online training at an hourly rate for QuickBooks.
“I know what needs to be fixed,” she said. “I just need to be shown how to fix it.”
Olsen did not disclose the amount of the Johnson & Sheldon contract, saying she would reveal that after the board approves it.
In other business:
— Film Tucumcari liaison Bobby Hockaday said he likely would give a future presentation on FilmApp, which streamlines permitting for filmmakers and provides a network to 60,000 filmmakers.
He estimated FilmApp would provide a 30% boost in films being made in the region, especially as independent productions are being “pushed out” of the Albuquerque area.
Hockaday said the cost of being listed on FilmApp would be $28,000, but that can be paid over a three-year period. He said one recent film production spent $1 million in Quay County, so he thought it was worth the investment.
— The National Transportation Safety Board is pushing for more pedestrian safety in Tucumcari before Route 66’s centennial in 2026. A meeting on how to boost pedestrian safety will be from noon to 2 p.m. July 26 at the Tucumcari Railroad Depot.
— Tucumcari MainStreet Executive Director Connie Loveland said the depot also would host a free business legal workshop with an attorney from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on July 10.
— Robert Hockaday said Tucumcari, along with Las Vegas and Melrose, might be eligible for up to $30 million in loans as part of a climate change program.