(KNZA)--Representatives of the Horton Industrial Development Corporation met with the Brown County Commission Monday to appeal for continued funding the county.

Tim Lentz, who serves as economic development director for the organization, told commissioners they would not have been able to accomplish what they have to date without funding from the county and don't want to see it go away.  

A motion by Commissioner Bill Pollock last month to not include funding in the county budget for the Horton economic development group and Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development died due to the lack of a second.  The county has been providing $25,000 annually to each organization.  

Lentz said he feels economic development is important to small communities like Horton and the organization has been a driving force for the city.

He said one of their main accomplishments was helping to start the Horton Community Foundation, which has expanded to become the South Brown Community Foundation, raising funds for non-profits and special projects that benefit the communities of south Brown County.  

Lentz said  they also helped raise funds for the new Horton baseball complex currently under construction.  In addition, he said they've helped several businesses with new paint and facade.  

Lentz said the group is currently working on options to bring affordable housing to Horton.