Lincoln & Logan County Development Partnership elects new officers   

[FEB. 2, 2005]  Ron Schilling, Lincoln College president, was elected president of the Lincoln & Logan County Development Partnership at its board meeting Monday. Schilling assumes the position Feb. 1 that was previously held by Lincoln Mayor Beth Davis. Dan Freesmeier was elected vice president, replacing Dale Voyles.

The Lincoln & Logan County Development Partnership mission is to enhance the economic prosperity and quality of life for residents of Lincoln and Logan County. Goals are to retain and expand existing businesses and jobs, attract new businesses providing quality jobs at good wages, and increase the tax base in order to provide better services for all citizens.

The partnership has a 15-member board with equal representation from the city, county and chamber. Five members are from the city of Lincoln -- Mayor Beth Davis, Alderman Marty Neitzel and three citizens: Dan Freesmeier, Paul Short and Ron Schilling. Five serve from the county -- county board chair Bob Farmer, a county board member and three county business owners-managers: Bill Glaze, Jim Hawes and Jerry Johnson. Five members represent the local chamber of commerce -- the executive director, Bobbi Abbott, along with Dave Hawkinson, Marty Ahrends, Grant Evitts and Todd Lowman.

Rob Orr serves as executive director for the Lincoln & Logan County Development Partnership -- currently located at 303 S. Kickapoo St., 2nd floor, Lincoln, IL 62656 -- and can be reached by calling [phone] or writing to [e-mail].  

The office will soon be moving with the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce and Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County to 1555 Fifth St., Lincoln. 

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