 Also involved in devising the master plan was Richard Longworth,
author of the book "Caught in the Middle." Longworth's book takes a
frank look at the Midwest mindset and how it has an adverse effect
on a community's ability to keep up with the times.Longworth
became interested in Lincoln and Logan County when his book was used
as a teaching tool by Dr. Keith Ray, president of Lincoln Christian
University, during Mayor Keith Snyder's second economic summit, held
in January.
Last week Vandewalle associate Scott Harrington presented an
abbreviated overview of the new master plan document, which totals
just under 60 pages of information pertaining directly to Logan
County. The plan presentation was in Restoration Hall on the LCU
campus.
Harrington began his presentation by delivering the bad news.
Logan County is in a slow but steady decline, and that decline is
going to continue unless something is done to change the face of the
community.
Inside the master plan several charts show comparisons that prove
there is indeed a decline in the county's youthful populations.
On Page 7 a diagram outlines the change in the county's
demographics since 1990. The number of young children age 15 and
below has dropped from over 20 percent of the county population to
about 17 percent.
The number of young adults in their mid- and late 20s has
decreased, while the number of people in the middle-age range of 40
to 55 has increased, along with the number of older people age 75
and above.
This shows that at the moment, Logan County and its cities and
towns do not have enough of what it takes to draw youthful
residents.
Harrington also pointed out that while there are three
significant colleges in Lincoln, the majority of the work force in
Logan County has little more than a high school diploma. "Within the
state of Illinois and the nation as a whole, approximately 25
percent of the 25 and older population has a bachelor's or master's
degree compared with only 14 percent in Logan County." -- Page 11
Harrington said this enforces the theory that those who are
graduating from our higher education institutions are leaving the
area to build their careers. He said this is a trend that the county
needs to address and will have to do so through revitalization of
the downtown area, offering greater shopping opportunities, more
recreation and entertainment sources, more modern housing options,
and of course better employment opportunities as well as
opportunities for entrepreneurship.
He noted that the new generation of young adults is not
interested in joining the country club and spending their days
golfing. They are interested in moving to communities with walking
paths, bike trails and gyms.
In addition, they are looking for newer homes. On Page 10, a
chart shows that only 13 percent of the homes in Logan County are
less than 30 years old and 35 percent were built pre-1940, while in
other counties such as Champaign County, where they are seeing
growth in their younger populations, the statistic is almost exactly
the reverse.
In addition to all this, the county is not satisfying the needs
of the current population. The chart explaining this is featured on
Page 15.
Harrington said that based on the current demographics, the
potential for retail sales is not being met. Residents of the county
are consequently going outside the county for at least a portion of
their consumables. He did note that there is one area in particular
where the county offers all that is needed and more, and that is in
the area of gas stations.
Otherwise, it falls short in total retail trade and food and
drink, motor vehicle and parts dealers, furniture and home
furnishings stores, electronics and appliance stores, home centers,
food and beverage stores, health and personal care stores, clothing
and clothing accessories stores, sporting goods, book and music
stores, limited-service eating places, and general merchandise
stores.
[to top of second column] |
Harrington also presented a SWOT analysis of Logan County,
identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
Among the strengths of the county: its proximity to larger metro
areas, existing highway and rail infrastructure, presence of
multiple electric transmission lines, hospital, colleges, productive
farm land in large tracts, coal and wind as natural resources, and a
reputation for a work force with high skill levels and good work
ethics.
A few of the weaknesses listed on Page 32 are lack of broadband
Internet, aging local infrastructure, shrinking labor force, high
dropout rate, and a disconnect between local schools and regional
higher education providers.
In the area of local government, Harrington noted and the master
plan states that the strengths of the local government include a
progressive new leadership, while the weakness is a poor history of
working with others both internally and externally. Harrington did
say that everything indicates progress is being made in this area,
and he encouraged community leaders and entities to continue making
progress in working together for the good of everyone.
This concludes Part 1. The development report also pulls out
weaknesses to address, identifies what is good and shows many
prospects for the future.
Part 2 will cover Harrington's discussion of an action plan and
who should be involved in it, and Logan County Board chair Terry
Carlton and Lincoln Mayor Keith Snyder also weigh in with their
opinions of the master plan.
[By NILA SMITH]
Related links
Past related
articles
|
