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 The request for money for the GPEDC was discussed at length at
the last workshop session of the Council in December. At that time,
the bill had been presented to the city by the Logan County Economic
Development Partnership. The bill brought up several questions from
aldermen, including who exactly was going to get this money if the
city did pay it.
At the end of the workshop discussion, City Administrator Clay
Johnson and Mayor Marty Neitzel were asked to follow up on the
questions of the council and return on January 4th with the answers
and possibly a recommendation.
On Monday evening, Johnson said he had spoken with LCEDP Director
Bill Thomas. Thomas had said that the $2,000 the city was being
asked to pay would be a “pass through” to the GPEDC. Johnson said it
was his understanding from Thomas that the county had paid $3,000 in
the calendar year 2015, leaving the balance of the $5,000 invoice
unpaid pending the city’s support.
 Another question that came up in December, does the city have to
partner with the county in the support of the GPEDC? Johnson had
said then that he didn’t believe that was a requirement. The issue
at hand was that in partnering with the county and paying $5,000
jointly, the city and county would be listed together as a “Bronze
Investor in the GPEDC.” If the city chose to go in independently
from the county, it would be listed as a “Friend of GPEDC.”
On Monday evening, Steve Parrott asked if the GPEDC gave weight to
the level of support, would a bronze investor get more attention and
help from the GPEDC than a “friend?” Johnson said that would have no
effect on how the GPEDC would work for, and with the county and
city. Parrott said in that case; he was in favor of the city
supporting the GPEDC alone, not in partnership with the county.
A new question arose on Monday regarding the contact person
representing the city. The city of Lincoln will be listed on the
GPEDC website with contact information regarding who to speak to
regarding economic development and business opportunities. Todd
Mourning noted that Andi Hake of the Logan County Alliance was the
person specifically named as the contact. He also noted that Hake
has tendered her resignation from the LCA, and he wondered if that
name should be taken out and replaced with a representative of the
city. New aldermen Rick Hoefle joined in that conversation saying he
would feel more comfortable with the City Administrator being named
as the contact.
In that portion of the discussion, it was noted that the city has a
contract with the LCA for economic development. With Hake recently
announcing she was leaving, the Alliance has just begun the search
for her replacement. It could be a while before the Alliance has
someone who is onboard and up to speed on economic development for
the city.
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Currently, there is no mention of Lincoln on the GPEDC website. There is a
listing for Logan County with the contact person being Bill Thomas of the LCEDP.
With the city breaking out and doing the support on its own, a new listing will
be added just for Lincoln. Michelle Bauer said that she felt that for the time
being, at least; and the contact person should be Johnson. It could be changed
later if the city chose to do so, but Johnson could be the contact in the
interim until Hake is replaced.
Hoefle suggested that perhaps Johnson’s name should always be on the listing; he
asked Johnson if he has a working relationship with the GPEDC. Johnson said he
really doesn’t yet, but he is working to build that relationship. It was decided
that Johnson will be the contact person for the city.
With no other discussion on the matter, Bauer made the motion to support the
GPEDC with $2,000. Jeff Hoinacki seconded the motion that passed by a unanimous
vote of 7-0. Aldermen present for the vote were Bauer, Hoefle, Jeff Hoinacki,
Kathy Horn, Mourning, Parrott and Tracy Welch. Jonie Tibbs was absent for the
evening.
[Nila Smith]
Editor's Note: The GPEDC is a regional
organization that includes five adjacent counties - Tazewell, Woodford, Peoria,
Mason and Logan. Logan County gained membership to the Peoria Economic District
after application and approval of the Peoria Economic Development Council,
followed by application and approval of the federal government. Lincoln and
Logan County are members of the GPEDC through the Logan County Comprehensive
Economic Development Strategy plan, which has an annual support fee paid to the
Peoria District.
On the GPEDC website, there are levels listed for “investors” in the GPEDC. The
investors pay into the GPEDC on a Leadership ($100,000), Platinum ($50,000),
Gold ($25,000), Silver ($10,000), Bronze ($5,000), or Friend ($2,000) level. Of
the other four counties included in the GPEDC, Peoria and Tazewell are investors
at the Leadership level, and Mason and Woodford are investors at the Silver
level.
Membership to the district brings fringe benefits, as well as economic strength
that is gained by developing a region and improved chances of getting federal
grants. |
