Chapter 130: Two Big Projects

The next day, after sobering up, Lu Fan went straight to the Finance Bureau to "demand" the 8 million from Director Jia Luhao, who had just returned.

Who would have thought Director Jia would look at Lu Fan strangely and say, "Can you even spend that much money?"

Lu Fan said, "My dear great Director, I'm waiting for rice to put in the pot right now. If this 8 million doesn't arrive, I can't even start the work!"

"Forget it! Look at this document. Just before getting off work yesterday, the Municipal Finance Bureau allocated 5 million, specifically naming Baishu Bay. The Municipal Bureau just called to urge the progress of the allocation, saying the Provincial Department is keeping an eye on it.

Secretary Lu, can we negotiate? I'll give you 8 million first, and the remaining 5 million in a few days? I'm leaking air everywhere, needing money from all sides. I'm tearing down the east wall to patch the west wall; I can barely go on. Just do me a favor, how about it? I'll treat you to a drink, Moutai!"

Money is only safe once it's in your pocket; how could Lu Fan agree? He said, "Director Jia, this money already has a destination before it even hits the account. Can't you understand a small matter like this? My dear big brother, don't make it difficult for me. I definitely can't leave today without the money. I'll keep you company and chat for the day!"

"Don't you dare, I have so much to do today. Secretary Lu, does your Baishu Bay want to turn the sky upside down this year? Can you even spend that much money?"

"How about you allocate a bit more? See if I can spend it all!"

"Forget it. Go do what you need to do. These two sums of money will go through the procedure today. I'll strive to have them allocated by the afternoon; the Municipal Bureau keeps urging."

Lu Fan ceremoniously set down a "file bag" and smiled, "Then I'll trouble the 'God of Wealth'. A small gift, but a deep sentiment—two cartons of cigarettes, please don't mind."

"If I don't smoke your cigarettes, I'd be a fool!"

Lu Fan knew very well that this Finance Bureau Director was close to Secretary Gao and counted as one of his own.

After settling the matter of the money, Lu Fan went to the County Committee; the two secretaries, one principal and one deputy, must move about frequently.

Just as he entered Secretary Gao Yuanfei's office, he was asked, "Did you go to Chang'an?"

Lu Fan answered truthfully, "I took the time to go yesterday. The tea is back, I delivered it to Department Head Han, and made a round trip."

"No wonder, 5 million came from the Finance Bureau. Was it you who asked for it?"

"Secretary, I didn't ask for it. The Department Head saw I was pitiful and gave it voluntarily!"

"Fine, fine, fine, given voluntarily! Now that you have sufficient funds, you must produce results this year."

"Secretary, rest assured, I am full of confidence. There are two projects I need to report to you."

"Projects? New projects? How much investment can they have?"

"Both are over 20 million!"

Gao Yuanfei immediately became interested. Ningyang's fixed asset investment in the first quarter had dropped to the middle of the city; last year, it hadn't slipped out of the top three for all four quarters.

To make progress, some important economic indicators must be grasped. Gao Yuanfei was under great pressure. A 20-million project is not small, let alone two at once.

"Tell me, are they reliable?"

"Secretary, it's like this: I won't say much about the Baishu Bay mutton. We plan to apply for the Qinchuan Province Geographical Indication Trademark and the National Geographical Indication Certification Trademark. The application work has already started.

This year, the township's sheep inventory can exceed 10,000, and next year we strive to exceed 20,000. The foundation is very solid, so we want to introduce a slaughter and processing plant. Now the investment attraction work has a lead; we have already reached a cooperation agreement with the enterprise, and there is no problem with the funds.

The enterprise is ambitious; the 20 million investment is just the first phase. However, some links need our government's support, especially the handling of the slaughter license, sewage discharge permit, animal epidemic prevention condition permit, and land procedures. If these can be implemented, the slaughter and processing plant can start construction immediately."

Gao Yuanfei attached great importance to it, calculated it, and said, "If there is truly an investment intention, let the enterprise submit an application to the Animal Husbandry Bureau. There must be planning and design for the layout, site selection, equipment, and facilities. Baishu Bay must first solve the land use issue.

To run a slaughterhouse that also does processing, there must be slaughter rooms, waiting rooms, inspection rooms, emergency slaughter rooms, as well as pig slaughtering equipment and transport vehicles that meet national requirements; there must be harmless treatment facilities for diseased pigs and pig products. The investment is huge; 20 million might not be enough. Don't let the enterprise swindle us!"

"Secretary, you can rest assured about this. It is 100% reliable, and there is no problem with the funds."

"I support this project. You coordinate it, and I will meet with the enterprise. What other projects are there?"

"A fishing base. There is an enterprise that wants to build the largest fishing base in the city, or even the province, in Baishu Bay. The Chairman of the Provincial and Municipal Fishing Associations will participate, and the investment intention also exceeds 20 million."

Gao Yuanfei nodded and said, "You certainly have many reservoirs and dams there. This path is correct. A fishing base is a good project; it can expand Ningyang's popularity and drive the development of the tourism industry. Those who fish are people with money and leisure, participating in competitions everywhere all year round. A set of equipment costs tens of thousands, over a hundred thousand. This is a good project; I support it."

Lu Fan said excitedly, "With the Secretary's support, I dare to let go and do it. The township will definitely speed up and take the initiative to provide door-to-door service, letting the enterprise 'take root'."

Gao Yuanfei smiled, "You gave me a surprise today. I didn't expect Baishu Bay to be able to invest tens of millions! However, when it comes to project initiation, filing, and entering the statistics, be careful. The investment is a bit low. I suggest that the investment amount for both projects should be over 50 million. Especially that fishing base, it can completely be turned into a large cultural tourism project. One or two hundred million is not a big problem; investment is gradual!"

"Secretary, I understand. I guarantee to complete the task. I will definitely put effort into the project packaging!"

Gao Yuanfei was very satisfied. The child is teachable! These two projects can not only add luster to fixed asset investment but also add color to the investment attraction assessment. He can complete two important assessment indicators at once. If only other townships had such surprises! It's still better to rely on one's own people!

Following the Secretary's instructions, Lu Fan came to the County Government and reported these two investment attraction projects to County Head Hu Chengwei and Executive Vice County Head Yang Chuanbei respectively.

Up to now, the potential that the county could dig into regarding fixed asset investment and investment attraction had been exhausted, but the ranking still couldn't go up. The two leaders were worrying about the assessment indicators. The good news Lu Fan brought was no less than sweet dew.

Everyone in the county knew that Gao Yuanfei wanted to leave, and Hu Chengwei naturally wanted to succeed him. If the assessment indicators didn't come up, there was no confidence! If you can't even do your work well, you still want to be promoted and reused? Once you reach this level and want to progress, you must speak with results; the assessment ranking must be high. Otherwise, even if you find a connection that reaches the sky, you won't be able to convince the public. Leaders value things falling into place naturally; you must perfect the "hardware" yourself first.

County Head Hu Chengwei attached great importance to it, stating that the County Government would go all out to support the launch of the two projects. They could enjoy all the preferential policies for investment attraction. He required Lu Fan to strengthen the coordination and let the two projects land, enter the database, and be included in the statistics as soon as possible.

Returning to the township, Lu Fan called Su Xiaoyi and learned that he had already assembled a team and was selecting a site for the slaughterhouse in the township. Wu Heng had also come. Lu Fan asked them to come to the township government kitchen at noon to eat mutton.

Before his seat was even warm, Gu Yu arrived. In just a few days, he had compiled the feasibility report, which shows that he had been planning this project for a long time and it was imperative.

Lu Fan read the feasibility report carefully and was very excited. Gu Yu's ambition was not small. He wanted to base it on resource advantages, develop the leisure fishing industry, and center it around "competitions + tourism" to build a base covering an area of 1.8 square kilometers, integrating leisure fishing, forest health, and other multi-format developments. It would be equipped with a parking area, plaza activity area, aquaculture area, management storage area, and commercial service area.

With an investment of 22 million yuan, it would cover an area of 112 mu and accommodate 1,200 people fishing at the same time. It would be a domestic first-class, Northwest-only standardized thousand-person fishing base. Surrounded by green mountains, shaded by green trees, with clear water and blue skies, advanced facilities, and complete functions, this high-standard fishing ground would become a "blessed land" for the vast number of fishing enthusiasts.

Lu Fan didn't know if the development of this project could meet Gu Yu's expectations, but since real money was being poured in, the other party must have some certainty. He shouldn't worry about it. He said, "General Manager Gu, I will fully support this project. My opinion is to launch it as soon as possible. The township government will do a good job in logistical support. But there are a few points I want to discuss with you."

"Secretary Lu, please instruct!"

"First, we must take into account the interests of the people of Baishu Bay. Land acquisition must not let the fellow villagers suffer losses, and employment must prioritize the people of Baishu Bay."

"Secretary, rest assured. I am a Baishu Bay person; I won't let everyone curse my mother."

"Second, the project must be initiated and filed as soon as possible. The fishing base alone has an investment of 22 million, plus other related supporting facilities. I think we should broaden our perspective and make it 'high-end' to facilitate promotion. Do you think the total investment can be filed as 200 million?"

Gu Yu was no novice; he had already discussed it with the chairmen of the two fishing associations. In such matters, if it's good for you and good for me, it's good for everyone, so he readily agreed and said, "Secretary, as long as there is no trouble later, you set the investment amount; we will fully cooperate."

"Sigh, I have no choice either. It's all what the leaders instructed. Let's understand each other."

"Secretary, I fully understand and guarantee to cooperate. There is one more thing to report to the Secretary: the Chairman of the Provincial and Municipal Fishing Associations and two other shareholders want to come to Baishu Bay for an on-site inspection and also want the county to provide specific support."

"You set the time, and I will report to the Secretary and County Head. We can hold a symposium then, and we can talk face-to-face."

"If the Secretary agrees, I will notify them immediately. I estimate it will be in these two days."

Investment attraction is the top priority of the county's work at present. The county has formulated and implemented various preferential policies and measures to attract more high-quality enterprises to come and invest.

These policies not only include direct economic incentive means such as tax exemptions and financial subsidies but also cover support measures in many aspects such as land supply, talent introduction, and administrative approval. However, Lu Fan knew that many times these policies were not implemented in place. The county government just bluffed people, often ignoring the enterprises once they were introduced. Whether the preferential policies can be implemented depends on the County Head's attitude.