Mount Pulaski’s Receives “Local Foods/Local Places” Technical Assistance Award

 

[May 09, 2019] 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced Mount Pulaski is one of 15 communities selected from across the nation to participate in Local Foods, Local Places (LFLP), a federal initiative that helps communities reinvest in existing neighborhoods and improve quality of life as they develop their local food economy.

Through LFLP, a team of agricultural, environmental, public health, and regional economic development experts will work directly with community leaders in Mount Pulaski on what is being called The Vinegar Hill Market project. The project is designed to create a healthy community and a vibrant economic base by revitalizing Mount Pulaski’s downtown business district and by sustaining and enhancing the farms surrounding this Logan County community.

"Our community is excited about getting the Local Foods/Local Places process started”, noted Mount Pulaski leader, Tom Martin. “Our goal of growing and consuming more local foods is paramount to our long term planning for not only economic development, but creating a healthy, vibrant community. We are confident the technical assistance award will help us create a dynamic and successful template to achieve our goals."

The Logan County Economic Development Partnership worked with Martin to write Mount Pulaski’s application to participate in the Local Foods/Local Places program. LCEDP Executive Director, Bill Thomas, will serve on the Mount Pulaski committee charged with bringing The Vinegar Hill Market to life.

“The Vinegar Hill Market project is just one of many great things happening in Mount Pulaski to improve its local economy. In the process, the overall economic base of Logan County is being strengthened”, said Thomas.

This year, LFLP is supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service, and the Northern Border Regional Commission. The 2019 Local Foods, Local Places communities were chosen from more than 70 applicants. Since its launch in 2014, LFLP has helped 93 communities develop local food enterprises, such as farmers markets, community gardens and cooperative grocery stores, that improve environmental, economic, and health outcomes.

More information about Local Foods, Local Places is available at: https:// www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/local-foods-local-places

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The mission of the Logan County Economic Development Partnership is to cultivate a business environment that enhances Logan County by expanding our local and regional economy through programs that sustain and grow existing businesses, attract and establish new businesses, and increase quality employment opportunities.

[Bill Thomas]