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]

Announcements

[MARCH 29, 2002]  The Lincoln A.G. Edwards & Sons is presenting a "Venus Takes on Investing" seminar on April 6 and 11.  [Note: This is a date change.]

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

•  Saturday, April 6, 9-10 a.m.

•  Thursday, April 11, 6:30-7:30 p.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 9, 2002]  Lincoln Christian College and Seminary has named John Guzzardo chairperson for the LCCS capital campaign committee for Lincoln and Logan County.

The Chamber Report

[MARCH 28, 2002]  Perry Grieme was selected Chamber Member of the Year during the 80th annual dinner of the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce at the Maple Club recently. Grieme is the ninth recipient of this award, initiated to provide recognition for exceptional service to the chamber of commerce and dedication to the advancement and improvement of the community.

Grieme, owner of Parker-Grieme Insurance, served a six-year term on the chamber board of directors and was the board’s president in 1997. He is an active member of the Chamber Ambassadors and the Membership Committee, and he volunteers with the Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival and the Lincoln Christmas parade. Grieme provided direction to the chamber’s reorganization of the Economic Development Council and has served on many task force and ad hoc committees.

In addition, Grieme has served as district chairman of the Boys Scouts of America, board member of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, board member and past president of the Logan County Heart Association, board member of the Lincoln Elks Club, board member and past president of the Lincoln Kiwanis Club, board member of St. Clara’s Manor, coach of Junior Railers basketball teams, and he is active with his church.

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He has distinguished himself as a leader in the insurance field and has represented the industry in numerous local and state advisory roles.

The Chamber Member of the Year award was established in 1994. Nominees must be an owner, manager, or employee of a chamber member business in operation for at least three years, demonstrating ethical business practices.

Past recipients of the award include Becky Werth, Dave Davis, Bob Albert, Gene Frioli, John Guzzardo, Shirley Bartelmay, Bob Graue and Dave Campbell.

[Chamber press release] 

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

[MARCH 29, 2002]  Cindy McLaughlin has been named the new program manager for Main Street Lincoln. She will begin her position April 8.

McLaughlin, a program service coordinator for Easter Seals Society in Bloomington, has done public relations work for the Art Institute in Chicago and is a former admissions counselor at Lincoln College.

Originally from Benton in southern Illinois, McLaughlin is a graduate of Lincoln College and Eastern Illinois University. She operates Logan County Starlites, a baton group for young girls, and has appeared in theatrical productions at the Lincoln Community Theatre and the Maple Club.

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"I’m very excited to work with Lincoln’s business owners and the community to ensure our future success," McLaughlin said. She and her husband, Tom, make their home in Lincoln.

"We are looking forward to having someone with Cindy’s enthusiasm and love for small towns carry out the programs for Main Street," noted Main Street President Jan Schumacher. "She is a hard worker who can oversee our many projects to continue to improve downtown Lincoln.

McLaughlin replaces Wendy Bell, who recently accepted a position with Illinois Main Street.

[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