All of the city’s $1.1 million share is slated for various sewer improvements, including running a line to the proposed 63.5-acre site at Business 55 and Kruger Road, near the north Interstate 55 interchange.

Purchase of the property, a cost of $678,000, and other improvements adding up to $816,950 are projected as the county’s share. These include road improvements, electricity, landscaping and engineering.

Local utility companies and a private developer would cover the rest of the cost, which includes putting up a speculative building at a cost of about $1.3 million. A private developer, Tamkin of Los Angeles, Calif., has already made an offer to construct the building, but no contract has yet been signed, Smith said. The building would be a shell adaptable to many different uses.

Andrew Hamilton of Financial Solutions, a Springfield firm, who is serving as a consultant to the Lincoln and Logan Economic Development Council, presented the proposal to the council and gave a brief overview. The document, titled "Lincoln Commerce Park Development Project," includes background, site maps, projections for development and debt repayment, local fund analysis, demographic data and a section on qualifications of Hamilton and his firm.

Hamilton suggested the city develop the nine-lot project in phases to reduce the initial cost. The city could pay off the $1.1 million debt by 2008 if a building could be sold every year, he said. "It could very well be an investment that could pay out in a short time."

Mark Smith, economic development director, told the council he was not asking for a decision immediately. "Take it [the projection] home, read it and digest it," he said.

Hamilton will attend the council’s work session on March 26 to answer questions about the proposal and possibly follow up with information about funding sources, Smith said. No suggestions for funding were included in the proposal given to council members Tuesday.

The Economic Development Council has been working on the project for the past two years, Smith said. It was first presented to the public in October of last year.

The proposal shows that the population of Logan County has been decreasing since 1970, and, according to Smith, the county’s job and income growth lag far behind those of other counties in Illinois — so far behind that he described it as "negative growth."

The Commerce Park development was proposed to attract small manufacturing or distribution companies that would provide well-paying jobs, expand the local employment base, keep young people in the community, and expand and broaden the tax base, Smith said.

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At the October meeting, he said the developed park could bring in a total of $321 million in wages to employees and as much as $561,000 in property tax revenue yearly.

Finding ways to fund the project, however, could be a difficult proposition. The city is already facing a financial crunch, according to Alderman Steve Fuhrer, chairman of the council’s finance committee. Unusually low interest rates mean the city is not getting much income from its investments, and the recession means fewer dollars from sales taxes. At a recent meeting, Alderman Glenn Shelton noted that the city has spent about $446,000 more than it has taken in this fiscal year.

Although the council did not enter into any discussion of the plan on Tuesday, Fuhrer expressed hope that the project would be "a doable thing." Noting the possibility of many job losses at Lincoln Developmental Center, he said, "I’ve seen Lincoln regress. I think this is the way of the future. I think if we could have done this 20 years ago, we would have been better off. If we don’t take that chance now, it could be worse."

The EDC will be presenting its plan to the Logan County Board this week.

In other business, Jan Schumacher, vice president of Main Street Lincoln, told the council the group is close to choosing a candidate for director of the program. The 15 applicants have been narrowed down to two, she said. Past Main Street Lincoln director Wendy Bell was offered and accepted a position with the Illinois Main Street program in Springfield. She began working there earlier this year.

Philip Dehner of A.G. Edwards told the council that the 1,065 shares of Principal Financial Group the city recently received were a result of de-mutualization of the company. Formerly the company was owned by its policyholders; it is now owned by stockholders. The city held insurance policies on some employees through the company.

The shares are worth about $25 each, Dehner said, and after paying the cost of selling the shares the city will have an extra $25,000.

City Attorney Bill Bates said that in his opinion it is not legal for the city to buy or hold stocks, so the shares should be sold.

Before the meeting, the public grounds and buildings and ordinance and zoning committees heard from Ray Shinkle, representing Chicago firms Insite and Voicestream, who want to put up a 190-foot cell phone tower just off Connolley Road between Hicks Gas and Verizon Towers. The firm already has a tower in Atlanta and is considering another in Elkhart. Regional Planner Phil Mahler said the tower would bring income of $500 a month to the city.

[Joan Crabb]

U-Scan

[FEB. 26, 2002]  Have you ever stood in a long line at a grocery store, watching the cashier scan item after item, repetitively? Have you ever thought to yourself, "I could do this, and faster too!" as the groceries trickle across the scanner? Well, now’s your chance!

Since 1987, The Kroger Co. has been slowly introducing its U-Scan checkout systems to Kroger and affiliate stores across the nation. And as of Valentine’s Day, these machines have come to Lincoln.

So what is a U-Scan? It is a checkout stand where you are the cashier. The large, modern-looking machines house a combination bar-code scanner and scale just like the normal counters. You unload your groceries, one at a time, scan them and place them in the bags provided.

[Kroger customer uses the U-Scan.

Photo by Bob Frank.]

The bags sit on a larger scale which measures the total weight of your bagged items. The computer knows how much every item in the store is supposed to weigh. If this weight does not match the weight of your purchased items as recorded in the computer, the cashier on duty is called to come and assist you.

This is both for your safety and for the safety of the store. If you place in your bag an item that you have not purchased, there is added weight. If you double-scan an item by accident and put only the one item in your bag, then there is less weight. Either way, a cashier is called to inspect your purchase.

The "carousel system" used by Lincoln’s Kroger allows for a very large purchase because it includes both a large, rotating, circular scale with eight bag stands (giving it its name) and a smaller rectangular scale for placing filled bags.

A computer screen above the scanner gives you instructions and tells you what items you have scanned and your total purchase price.

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When you complete your purchase, there are all of the normal options for paying for your groceries. A credit-debit card machine just like those at the normal counters is available for those payments. A bill reader and a coin reader are available for cash purchases. The bill reader will read any denomination of bill through $20 (larger denominations can be changed with the cashier on duty). If you would like to pay with a check, you proceed to the cashier’s booth at the end of the row and give him or her your check.

Sounds simple, right?

But what about all those little things that cashiers do? What about coupons, the Kroger card? What about alcohol and cigarettes? Who takes care of those?

Well, before you begin your purchase, the computer asks you if you have a Kroger card. Then you scan it, just like the cashiers do. At the end of your purchase, it asks for any coupons, and you scan those too. There is a slot below the scanner for coupons to be dropped in. When you scan alcohol or cigarettes, the cashier is called to check your identification.

As for all those other little things that cashiers do, such as smile or wish you a good day… well, human cashiers won’t ever go out of style. According to Annette Hinman, store manager of Lincoln’s Kroger store, U-Scans will never replace humans. She recognizes that some people like the human contact and "touch" that cashiers provide, and that some people like the efficiency and liberation of the U-Scans. She wants her patrons to have the choice between "full service" and "self-serve."

In fact, the two U-Scans that the store now has take up the same area as one checkout counter. And one person oversees both U-Scans, watching for any way he or she can help. So the U-Scan is not completely without human contact. You are not completely "on your own."

According to the manager, response to these machines has been very good. She said that people seem to be having fun learning to use them. And, as with all new technology, she has seen some children teaching their parents to use them.

So the next time you shop and Kroger, just try the U-Scans. You should find them easy, convenient and downright fun!

[Gina Sennett]

Announcements

[MARCH 9, 2002]  Lincoln Christian College and Seminary has named John Guzzardo chairperson for the LCCS capital campaign committee for Lincoln and Logan County.

[MARCH 5, 2002]  The Lincoln A.G. Edwards & Sons is presenting a seminar on April 11 and 13.

Seminar information

Women cannot ignore certain facts when planning for their financial futures. For example, 90 percent of women will become wholly responsible for their finances sometime during their lifetimes.*

You’ll discover ways to help you:

•  Plan for successful financial future.

•  Reduce your taxes.

•  Increase your investment income potential.

•  Build for your retirement.

•  Build a "rainy day" fund.

•  Accumulate money for a child or grandchild’s education.

*Source: Investment Company Institute

Speaker

Bridget Schneider, financial consultant with A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.

Dates

•  Thursday, April 11, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

•  Saturday, April 13, 9-10 a.m.

Location

Heartland Community College

620 Broadway St.

Lincoln, IL 62656

R.S.V.P.

(217) 732-3877 or (800) 596-0014

Contact person

Brittney Van Fossan or Nina Westen

[MARCH 4, 2002]  John Dreusicke, account manager for AES/CILCO, recently presented the energy company’s annual contribution to Lincoln Christian College and Seminary. Gary Edwards, vice president of stewardship development for LCCS, accepted the $3,000 gift. AES/CILCO has been a generous supporter of LCCS for nearly 20 years.

"AES/CILCO is proud to play an active role in the communities we serve, supporting education, the arts and family activities," Dreusicke said.

Edwards says that annual giving plays a crucial role in the success of LCCS. "Gifts such as these provide money to help LCCS continue to offer exceptional education, implement new programs and meet the daily needs of our institution," he explains. "LCCS has benefited greatly from the many generous contributions from AES/CILCO and other loyal supporters in the Lincoln community."

[LCCS news release]

[John Dreusicke (left) of CILCO shakes hands
with Gary Edwards of LCCS.]
[Photo provided by LCCS]

The Chamber Report

The chamber of commerce is a catalyst for community progress, bringing business and professional people together to work for the common good of Lincoln and Logan County.

Bobbi Abbott, Executive Director

Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce

303 S. Kickapoo St.

Lincoln, IL 62656

(217) 735-2385

chamber@lincolnillinois.com
www.lincolnillinois.com

Honors & Awards

Main Street Corner News

[FEB. 13, 2002]  New officers for Main Street Lincoln were elected at the organization’s annual dinner this week. Community activist Jan Schumacher was elected president. David Lanterman, co-owner of Beans and Such, was elected vice president. Susie Fuhrer, owner of Blue Dog Inn, was re-elected treasurer. All three are longtime Main Street volunteers.

Fuhrer also was re-elected to a three-year term on the board, as was Jon Steffens, vice president of Eckerts Inc., who just completed his term as president. Tim McCormick, vice president of Farmers State Bank in Emden, and Jeannie Xamis, owner of Serendipity

Stitches, were also elected to three-year terms.

At the dinner, outgoing board member Paul Gleason was recognized for his contributions to Main Street.

Main Street Lincoln is in its eighth year of economic development and historic preservation of the Courthouse Square Historic District in downtown Lincoln. The group is always looking for volunteers for its new and ongoing projects.

[Main Street Lincoln news release]

Main Street Lincoln

303 S. Kickapoo

Lincoln, IL 62656

Phone: (217) 732-2929

Fax: (217) 735-9205

E-mail: manager@mainstreetlincoln.com