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 As 2014 comes to a close, the LLCDP is sharing a 2014 Annual
Report, which notes a number of the projects on which the LLCDP
office worked this year. Economic development can mean different
things to different people. It can take different forms and be
measured in different ways. Sometimes it involves big, new
industrial or business projects. More often than not, it involves
detailed work, extensive research, and network building designed to
create a foundation for long-term success. Often times, this latter
form of economic development is not very visible - let alone very
exciting. Nonetheless, it is a valuable investment in our future. We
hope this Annual Report provides a good overview of what has been
accomplished and where we’ve focused our efforts in 2014.
Most of the work done to develop the local economic base tends to
adhere to the old adage: “slow and steady wins the race.” Much still
needs to be accomplished to achieve the strategic outcomes noted in
the report. It is hoped this update will provide a good overview of
how the LLCDP office is steadily moving forward to meet those
outcomes, with the ultimate aim being the improvement of the economy
of each of the Logan County communities.
Looking ahead, the LLCDP office sees opportunities to continue the
grass-roots efforts begun in 2014, as well as initiate new ones in
the coming year. In particular it will focus on building upon the
success of the workforce training program put into place as a result
of the partnership created between LLCDP, Heartland Community
College, the Land of Lincoln Workforce Alliance, and the Accelerated
Training in Manufacturing program.
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LLCDP is also going to see if it can put into practice that old
saying about how it is better to teach a person to fish, rather than
give him a fish. LLCDP would like to help communities throughout the
county consider creating individual economic development
commissions, established via the passage of a local ordinance. When
like-minded folks join together to work on behalf of their own
communities, the results are often much better than when a
centralized organization tries to step in. Finally, LLCDP will
continue to expand its involvement with the five-county Economic
Development District (EDD) of which Logan County is a member (and
which also includes Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, and Mason counties).
Membership in the EDD affords Logan County the best opportunity for
success when seeking federal resources and assistance for larger
local projects.
LLCDP will do its best to keep the public informed of what is being
worked on and what projects are accomplished throughout 2015. Early
next year, LLCDP will also provide an update on the change in
Partnership’s bylaws, resulting in a restructuring of the Board. In
the meantime, the LLCDP looks forward to serving each community
within Logan County.
The mission of the Lincoln/Logan County Development Partnership is
to work together to enhance the economic prosperity and quality of
life in Logan County.
Lincoln &
Logan County
Development Partnership
2014 Annual Report (Pdf)
For more information please contact:
Bill Thomas, Interim Executive Director at:
wthomas@teleologic.net
217-732-8739
or 217-648-5077
[Bill Thomas, Interim Executive
Director, LLCDP] |
