 He explained that the partnership board is planning their budget now
for the next year and that it would be passed at the next meeting,
on Monday. The 2008 plan introduces a couple of strategic
opportunities that they've been working toward and a couple of his
ideas as well, he said.
It includes:
-
Business retention
and expansion.
-
Work force
development.
-
Business attraction.
-
Startup recruitment.
-
Planning and plant
developments, including use of a geographic information system.
-
Residential
development.
-
Facilitating
incentives.
-
Business information and resources.
In addition, a business incubator concept would be introduced.
And, he said that they would assist in implementing the GIS,
maintain inventory and focus on partnership opportunities.
Smiley emphasized the importance of getting an "Economic
Development Master Plan" in place. This would entail a five-year
strategic plan for the county. Plans now are to start a capital
campaign in May that will fund the plan and then have the plan in
place in 2009. "So that in 2009 we know the direction we are going
to go, how to implement it, and we're going to have the funding in
place to get everything up and running in the next five years," he
said.
The new development director said he has sat and spoken with Dick Logan, county board chairman, to get started. He'd like to hear from the
board members about where the hot spots for development are. "You
are the elected officials. Where do you want to see that vision?" he
asked.
*
Mark Hilliard, Logan County Health Department administrator,
briefed the board on a number of health department activities.
He began by saying that there have been three complaints
registered under the Smoke Free Initiative Act. Letters were sent
out in response, as per plan.
The Logan County Pandemic Flu Coalition began a media blitz this
month. News releases, check stuffers for large employers, grocery
bag stuffers and other notices introduced preparedness tips in the
event that there would a health threat to many people. This was the
first of a series of messages on how the community can act together
and individually to protect family and employees.
April 4 is the date for the health fair for fifth-grade Logan
County students. The fair is co-sponsored by the Lincoln Park
District and is presented at the Sports Center.
The following day, April 5, the Community Health Fair will take
place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the same location. Booths will be set
up with lots of information, demonstrations, food and health
screenings. Returning by popular demand will be the grannies from
Iowa for a game of Granny Basketball to be played against a local
women's team. And, the West Lincoln-Broadwell cheerleaders will be
there to cheer them on.
Hilliard continued with a quick review of the flu season. The
health department administered over 3,000 flu vaccinations. He
supplied a graph that showed 1-4-year-olds having the most confirmed
cases of influenza, at nearly 50, in Logan County. The graph dropped
off gradually, showing just over 30 cases in 10-14-year-olds, and
dropped below 20 cases in 20-24-year-olds, continuing down with age.
Hilliard said that he was in Springfield on Thursday to join
other health care professionals in their support of Senate Bill
2012. This is legislation that addresses chronic diseases and
control. If passed, a task force would form to look at ways to move
state dollars from treatment of chronic diseases to prevention of
those diseases. It is believed that by placing more emphasis on
prevention, it would keep more people from getting sick, as well as
save dollars.
*
[to top of second column] |
The Joint Solid Waste Agency has announced that tires will be
collected for recycling at the Logan County Fairgrounds this spring.
Tires can be brought to the fairgrounds April 5 from 8 a.m. to 3
p.m. There is no fee.
*
Dick Logan attended a transportation
meeting that addressed the future of mass transportation. Travel
from the east side of Lincoln to the west was targeted, with
recognition that college students need transportation to areas of
commerce.
Limited state funds will be made available to communities that
can show need and a plan.
The task force will continue to assess needs and resources when
it meets again on April 21 at 10 a.m. at the American Legion in
Mason City. The public is invited to attend.
*
Great things keep happening in the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau
of Logan County office. This month executive director Geoff Ladd had
several announcements.
A new Abraham Lincoln statue has been donated to the county. Les
Van Bibber has donated a 6-foot-6 granite statue of Abraham Lincoln
to stand outside the third-floor courtroom in the Logan County
Courthouse. (See
Lincoln Statue Comes to the Logan County Courthouse.)
Ladd mentioned just some of the many high points of events coming
up. The annual tourism dinner is set for April 25 at the Maple Club.
Last year's event was a lot of fun, and this year's promises to be
interesting with a variety of distinctive guests, entertainment and
awards.
The first weekend in June, the Route 66 Motor Tour will hit town.
On June 7 the caravan of classic vehicles will glide on in and
settle a few hours as they host their annual Hall of Fame dinner at
Lincoln College.
The last weekend in July will see 600-1,000 square dancers coming
from all over when the Illinois Square and Round Dance Convention
comes to Lincoln. Events are scheduled around the Lincoln Christian
College campus July 25-27.
The new Hampton Inn will be ready to help lodge some of the many
visitors coming our way. The scheduled opening is May 14.
(See more on tourism's
"Annual Events.")
[By JAN YOUNGQUIST]
Past related
articles:
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