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Future
for Lincoln and Logan County revealed tonight
Development partnership to unveil 5-year
strategic plan
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[June 25, 2008]
About 70 of the top movers and
shakers from around the county will attend an event this evening
that holds many promises. The future of Lincoln and Logan County has
been wrapped up in the details of a five-year economic development
plan that will be revealed in conjunction with a capital campaign
that will fund it. The Lincoln and Logan County Development
Partnership board approved the new plan, a first of its kind, last
Wednesday.
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 Joel Smiley, director of the Lincoln and Logan County Development
Partnership, will give the PowerPoint presentation that lays out an
aggressive five-year strategic plan. Smiley began work on the plan
almost as soon as he took office last February. He began by going to
local officials and asking for their input. He first put together a
one-year plan and then tackled the five-year, calling the plans
"essential" to economic development.
The new plan incorporates the Logan County Comprehensive Plan
that was developed under the Logan County Regional Planning
Commission; takes into consideration projects that are under way,
such as the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital move and expansion;
and it incorporates new business concepts, such as a business
incubator, as well.
The five-year plan is designed to be fund-driven, anticipating
funding from a variety of sources for the various stages. Funding is
expected to come through contributions from large businesses as well
as private citizens, in-kind services from utility companies and
possibly communities, and through funds that might be acquired
through the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and other
sources.
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The development of the Lincoln and Logan County CEDS is in progress.
Atlanta Mayor Bill Martin and Smiley have been working toward and
anticipate the possibility of piggybacking on the Peoria area CEDS.
This will be the first presentation of the five-year plan, but it
will be presented to each of the participating communities in the
county soon. Smiley also committed to provide them with regular
updates. He has been a frequent visitor to city and county meetings
since he began his post.
Community officials, local business leaders and bank
representatives, and interested private citizens are expected to
attend the one-hour scheduled event this evening.
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Lincoln & Logan County
Development Partnership capital campaign kickoff
Meyer-Evans Student Center,
Alumni Room, Lincoln College, 400 Keokuk St.
Wednesday, 5-6 p.m. |
[By JAN YOUNGQUIST]
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