Guests address Logan County Board on LLCEO program and possible new wind farm
 

[November 14, 2015]  LINCOLN - On Thursday, November 12, 2015, the Logan County Board held their monthly Workshop with all twelve members present. Guests Todd Hamm, Robert Bagby, Bill Thomas, and Allyson talked to the board about programs and possible projects in the county.

Mount Pulaski School District Superintendent Todd Hamm and Lincoln Community High School Superintendent Robert Bagby updated the board on the Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities program. Hamm said the students in the program are going to various businesses and learning about their successes and failures and making connections with businesses in Logan County. He said a facilitator is teaching them about speaking to the public, dressing in business attire, and creating business plans.

Bagby said the program currently has fifteen students from different schools in the county and it is all privately funded, so they are looking for more investors. The students in the program have to start their own business and will do a trade show in the spring. Bagby said as they are trying to do more for economic development in the county, they are working outside the box.

Bagby asked the board for a commitment of $1,000 for three years and O'Neill motioned that the board donate the money to the program. Ruben said it should be referred to the Airport and Farm Committee, which has some money available. A decision will be made after that committee discusses it.



Bill Thomas of Logan County Economic Development Partnership said there has been discussion on a possible new Wind Project. He introduced Allyson Sand, business development manager with Invenergy LLC, a wind generation company headquartered in Chicago.



Sand said they have done over 40 wind projects and develop, own, and operate the projects. She said they are looking east of Atlanta as a possible location for a wind project. Hepler said other board members have also suggested that location.

Thomas said the county is also looking further into electric aggregation. He said the more dollars we can keep in citizen's pockets, the better off we will be.

Jan Schumacher said she has heard from several people that they have contacted in nearby communities and agencies about appointees for a Transportation Advisory Committee. The board is hoping to make some appointments on Tuesday. Board chairman Hepler said there should be a subcommittee made up of board members who cannot meet during the day. Bateman would chair that committee and Anderson may be part of both committees.



The board also presented Pam Meagher with a thank you gift for her years working in the county board office. Meagher said she has learned so much about compliance issues that will help her in her job with Cresco.

Before Tuesday's board meeting, the Hayes-Krell Chapter #159 Military Order of the Purple Heart will hold a celebration declaring Logan County as a Purple Heart County. The designation Logan County as a Purple Heart County pays tribute Purple Heart Medal recipients, raises awareness of their heroic efforts, and honors all who have served.

The board has been working to give more recognition to local veterans. In October, the board voted to give a $20 discount at Animal Control to all veterans adopting pets. In September, the board made a commitment to participation in a Veteran's Assistance Commission. In August, Logan County Board members voted unanimously to establish a Veteran's Burial Assistance Commission.

Board members present were David Hepler, Kevin Bateman, Pat O'Neill, Scott Schaffenacker, Chuck Ruben, Gene Rohlfs, Robert Farmer, Jan Schumacher, David Blankenship, Andy Anderson, and Emily Davenport.

At Tuesday's Regular meeting, the board will vote on several resolutions and amendments, and appointments.

[Angela Reiners]