Wednesday, October 24, 2012
 
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New development director spends 1st day checking out the county

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[October 24, 2012]  Brian A. Bergen was hired Monday evening to the position of executive director for the Lincoln & Logan County Development Partnership.

He started to work the next morning.

Tuesday evening Bergen paid his first visit to the Lincoln City Council. After being introduced by Mayor Keith Snyder, who served on the selection committee for the director’s position, Bergen took the podium and spoke briefly about his first impressions of Lincoln and Logan County.

He said he and administrative assistant Chris Huff had spent a good deal of the day going about the community and just checking things out.

He told the council that he believes Lincoln and Logan County have a lot of assets that can be built upon.

When asked by Jonie Tibbs what he liked about Lincoln, he first noted that in driving through town he saw occupied homes.

He said he didn’t see a lot of decimated properties. He punctuated the statement by saying he knew there were probably some here, but what he saw looked good.

He also noted that the downtown business area is active, with open businesses and not a lot of vacant buildings, as are most often seen in small communities. He said that in looking at the downtown area, he didn’t see any crumbling buildings, although he noted there might be a few that could use a facelift of some kind.

He also told the council he was happy to be in Lincoln and Logan County, and he has found people to be very friendly.

Talking about his previous employment, Bergen said he was coming to Logan County from Indiana -- the Rushville area. He said that area, which is primarily agricultural, was in a very distressed state.

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He was hired there for agribusiness development and spent seven years in the area. While working there he helped develop a five-year plan for the region and saw the plan through, accomplishing almost all of what was in it.

He said the area saw economic growth to the tune of approximately $850 million during that time.

In addition he said he worked on an international trade mission, teaching local producers and businesses how to export their products for foreign markets.

As the aldermen took turns introducing themselves, Marty Neitzel noted that Bergen’s first job was as a claims adjuster for the same insurance company she worked for years ago. Risa Riggs, the recording secretary for the council, told Bergen she is from the same part of Indiana.

Bergen said he hoped the aldermen would feel free to stop by his office or give him a call any time they wish, and that he looks forward to working with the city in the future.

[By NILA SMITH]

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