 Orr's resignation was publicly announced at Thursday night's Logan
County Board meeting. His last day as executive director of the
development partnership will be Oct. 26. Gloria Luster said that the
partnership has called a meeting for Monday to discuss hiring
someone new.Orr has taken a similar position with the St. Louis
Development Corp. as a major project manager. SLDC is the economic
development organization for the city of St. Louis.
Jeff Mayfield preceded Orr in the director position. At the end
of 2003, economic development was under the Lincoln/Logan County
Chamber of Commerce, and Mayfield's one-year interim commitment was
coming to a close.
The Economic Development Committee determined that it would be
best to establish a new stand-alone, self-governing entity. The
Lincoln & Logan County Development Partnership, which has equal
representation and support from the city of Lincoln, Logan County
and the chamber, was established on Jan 5, 2004. Orr was announced
as executive director on Jan. 27, 2004.
Orr brought with him the unique combination of an engineering
education, real estate training and licensure, and 17 years of both
large and small business experiences, which provided great strengths
and skills for the position. Whether dealing with a potential small
business owner or corporation chief, he knows the concerns of
business; the importance of logistics, transportation and
cooperation with government; as well as quality-of-life issues such
as home, recreation and medical care.
He also brought a strong working knowledge of local economic
forces. He already had established vital interpersonal connections,
having served seven years in various leadership positions and on
committees with the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce, the
Logan County Economic Development Council and Main Street Lincoln.
Attracting business to a community is no longer done the same as
it has been in the past. Communities must now market themselves.
Orr, savvy to that understanding, led where Lincoln and Logan County
had not gone previously. He proved nothing to be too big when acting
as a key liaison for potential business.
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Shortly after beginning as director, Orr helped navigate a complex
network of agreements between multiple entities that brought
Robert's Sysco to Lincoln. A number of other businesses have
followed in the wake of the Fortune 500 warehouse distributor and
the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Lincoln's west side. He's dealt with
chains as well as small, privately owned businesses, adding food,
motel, car and entertainment businesses.
Geoff Ladd, director of the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of
Logan County, said: "It's been great working with him. I've always
viewed tourism from an economic development standpoint. He and I
worked together on a number of issues." He added, "We've been seeing
a lot of improvements." Orr helped bring to Lincoln the Hampton Inn
that just broke ground. "It is imperative to find someone to fill
his shoes," Ladd said.
Orr said: "I appreciate the opportunity to serve the people of
Logan County. This has been a great experience for me personally,
and I feel that by working together we have accomplished much during
the last 3.8 years. Economic development efforts must continue
regardless of the director. It takes a collective effort to be
successful because one person or one organization cannot do it
alone. This organization is well-positioned to help make
things happen, and it needs your continued support."
Seemingly, the benefits of living and working here have gone both
ways, as he said, "I have enjoyed being in Logan County for 20 years
(19 longer than I expected) and will visit often. Especially each
year in late August when the magnificent balloons are glowing."
[Jan
Youngquist]
Lincoln & Logan County
Development Partnership is a not-for-profit, located at 1555 Fifth
St., Lincoln, IL 62656.
217-732-8739
EconDev@LincolnLogan.com
http://www.lincolnlogan.com/
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