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 In that discussion, the group appeared to be enthused about the
idea of the sports complex in particular. Huss noted that earlier in
the day, there had been a ‘stakeholder’ meeting, and there too, the
complex appeared to be something everyone wanted to pursue.
Having earlier said that she worked with the theory of “go big or go
home” she was going to bring some ideas to the council that were
outside the box…way outside the box.
She began by talking about the fact that Logan County is an
agricultural community, and as such, there is an opportunity to
exploit the agricultural asset with the food and science industry.
She said there was a very interesting, new trend out there. She has
begun researching it, and will continue to do research.
She introduced a new term to the council – Agri-hoods. She said
there is a large movement to live a healthier lifestyle, and a part
of that is by embracing good nutrition and locally grown foods. She
said agri-hoods are housing developments built with those goals in
mind. She explained that instead of seeing housing grow up around
golf courses, for example, they are growing up around a rural
setting where homes are located on outer parameters, and the heart
of the community focuses on food production.
She said this model has not been done anywhere nearby, so Lincoln
would be the first to market such a concept. City Administrator Clay
Johnson asked what the land space requirement would be. Huss said
these agri-hoods are being done on as little as 15 acres, but also,
there are large developments that are 200 acres or more.
Todd Mourning asked who would own that type of project, would it be
public or private. Huss said, most often this will be a private
investor/developer who will build the community and market it, but
the city could also be involved in working to find land and other
opportunities for the developer.
Steve Parrott asked who was living in these communities. Are new
people coming into areas so they can live in an agri-hood?
Huss said it could be a tool for bringing people to the area. She
also noted that there are modifications to the concept, such as
Blackberry Farms in Tennessee, which is more like a hotel resort
where the farm to table food is a portion of the offering that
includes hiking and other healthy activities.
Bauer said she saw this as something that might work locally. She
noted that organic farming is practiced in Logan County and cited
PrairiErth Farms in Atlanta as being an organic vegetable farm that
supplies stores and eateries in the Bloomington area.
Rick Hoefle said that with 20 percent of the local population being
senior citizens, who are also working to live healthier lives, this
is a concept that the community “should want.” Huss said that there
were models that are fine-tuned to senior citizens, so that could be
the right direction to take for this community.
It was also mentioned that the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital is
involved in doing a local farmer’s market this year that will
promote locally grown food products and eating healthy.
Keeping the conversations rolling, Huss moved on to the development
of business and industry.
She introduced the topic of 3-D printing. She said she didn’t know
if anyone in the room was familiar with this, but it is a growing
new concept. She noted that Lincoln is a great location because much
of the 3-D printing is being done in relation to sports, healthcare,
industrial and automotive manufacturing. She said Lincoln is an
ideal location between Springfield and Peoria for such a business.
She noted one interesting use for the 3-D printing program was the
creation of simulated hearts for surgeons. She explained that the
hearts are being created so that surgeons may practice the procedure
ahead of time, and see what the outcome of one or two different
methods could be. She said it was a great tool for research in the
medical field.
In addition, 3-D printing could be useful to industries such as
Caterpillar. Huss said she sees this as a great opportunity, and
that Lincoln could be the first to have a 3-D business. She was
asked exactly what the business would be, the printers or the
printing, or something else. Huss said that was something to be
determined. The city would need to look at what angle it wanted to
pursue.
Parrott said there is one business in Bloomington that is building a
business on 3-D printers. He said customers can go to the business,
sit at a computer and design their piece, whatever it might be, then
create it with the 3-D printers.
Huss also noted that Lincoln could create a business incubator
program for 3-D printing, where those wishing to start a 3-D
business can get started here.
Another idea Huss brought to the aldermen was to bring to Lincoln
companies that augment other companies. As an example, a company
that builds one component to sell to a manufacturer to become part
of a larger product. Locally a good example of this would be Inland
Tool in Mount Pulaski. Inland builds certain automotive parts that
are then sold to a vehicle manufacturer. They also manufacture
electrical boxes and other items that are then sold to Eaton in
Lincoln for completion of that company’s product.
At that moment, the topic didn’t garner a lot of discussion from the
council.
Huss moved on. She said that another avenue for the city could be
warehousing.
Mourning said another avenue the city could dive into was internet
commerce. He said that as long as a product is made and sold in
Lincoln, the city doesn’t care where the product ends up. He said
with internet commerce, items made and sold in Lincoln could go to
California, and it would still be a Lincoln win.
Parrott wondered about highway access for manufacturing. He spoke
about the west side of town being the targeted area for development.
But, he wondered if the city wanted to grow retail how could
manufacturing mix in on that side of town?
Jeff Hoinacki noted though that there are three exits off of
Interstate 55 into Lincoln. Manufacturing would not have to be on
the west side exit to be accessible. There was also a comment made
that the interstate itself could provide a natural boundary on the
west end exit, with retail and service industry being on the east
side of the four lanes, and manufacturing and industry being on the
west side.
 Rick Hoefle agreed that the west side exit is not the only option.
He noted that there was development on the north exit, naming
specifically the new Cannabis cultivation center.
Huss asked if there were any ideas from the council, anything they
like that she might have missed.
The conversation returned to the sports complex, and a conference or
convention center. Mayor Marty Neitzel said she had heard that the
Hampton Inn might be interested in building a conference center.
Todd Mourning also mentioned that Lincoln College has a plan to go
from a two-year college to a four-year college. This is going to
increase the student population, and will also increase space needs.
He felt that the college would benefit from the sports complex.
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Bauer said that, none of these items were going to happen right now. She said
that what the city was looking at was to brand itself as a place where these
things could happen so that someone else would be drawn to come here and take on
these big projects.
Johnson noted also that to be successful for something like the sports complex,
there needs to be a point person who will do the work of bringing the big
tournaments to town. Bauer said, yes, and she thought that there are some
“natural partners” already here, the colleges for one, that need sporting
venues, also the hospital that needs physical therapy and exercise space.
Bauer added that a sports complex didn’t always have to be used as a sports
complex. It could be a location for concerts, and a variety of shows such as dog
shows.
Mourning said that it was a proven fact that the Lincoln Tournaments are
continually growing. He noted the size of this year’s John Welsh Memorial
Basketball Tournament as an example, and also said that the Soccer Shootout is
growing continually. He noted that as these tournaments continue to grow there
will be a greater need for restaurants, motels, as well as facilities with
parking space that can handle extra-large crowds.
Mourning said he knew one reason Lincoln Tournaments continue to grow is because
of the ease of access and visitors like what is offered. He said, “people come
back because it is easy.” Even so, Hoefle said he felt it was still something
the community could do even better. He noted during tournament times coming
across folks who don’t know everything that is available to them in Lincoln.
Bauer said that she wanted the goal for the city to include creating jobs. She
said that was an important part of economic development, to provide jobs for our
people.
Bauer noted that a retail outlet could bring job growth, where a sports complex
might not bring that many new jobs. She said that didn’t mean she thought a
sports complex was not good, quite the contrary because she knew it would bring
people to Lincoln, and also it could provide improvements to the quality of life
for our residents.
Neitzel said she was in favor of bringing a complex to Lincoln. She noted in
answer to Bauer’s concern that there would be a residual effect. Building the
complex would bring ancillary businesses that would employee people. She said,
“I’m with you Michelle, people need jobs in Lincoln. We’ll have happier people
if we have people who are employed.”
Other ideas that were introduced by aldermen included exploiting the 'craft
beer' trend. It was suggested that there could be a “brew trail” that included
micro-breweries in Springfield, Lincoln and Bloomington that would bring
out-of-town visitors to Lincoln as part of a day trip or road trip.
Others felt that creating a business incubator was also a good idea. Johnson
said that there could be an incubator that would address building up artists,
cooks, and chefs. Another comment regarded adding an incubator for the Lincoln
Land CEO program. Johnson said that the CEO students could take advantage of the
incubator program after they complete their education, to take what they have
learned and move forward in becoming entrepreneurs.
Blocks to progress
Moving on to barriers to economic development, Mourning said first that a large
barrier is the lack of fiber optic internet capabilities citywide. He noted that
fiber optic is scattered in town, but not citywide.
Partnerships
Huss pushed forward as the two-hour mark approached. She said she wanted to
review who could or should be the partners in economic development in Lincoln.
Bauer quickly said, the Logan County Board. It was explained to Huss that the
relationship between the city and county is a work in process. Conditions are
much improved now, compared to the past, but there is still work to be done in
building a good working relationship with the county.
Jeff Hoinacki said that the community also needed to be supportive of the
efforts, so involving them in the planning should be considered. It was also
mentioned that the youth of the area should have some say in what happens in the
future. Huss was asked if her firm ever did research at the high school level,
asking kids what they want their home town community to be like, so they will
stay here.
Huss said it can be difficult to get good, clear answers from high schools
students, but yes, when they can ask very specific questions, it does prove
beneficial. She went on to say that college students are better at assessing
what they want and need, and that those nearing completion of the education have
a better grasp of what they want in their future.
Huss asked what other people could be helpful? Bauer suggested that they talk
with leaders of industries that are already here. She named off several and said
it might be good just to go to ask them what made Lincoln attractive, why did
they come, and why do they stay?
As it had been noted throughout the two-hour meeting, the sports complex was a
very popular idea. As the meeting came to a close, Johnson did offer one
cautionary statement, warning the group not to become narrow in their vision. He
said, “Sports is not the silver bullet to reviving the Lincoln economy. I think
it can be a component of a combination of things.”
As Huss brought the meeting to an end, she said the goal for the day had been to
look at different sectors that could be used to drive economic development in
Lincoln.
She said what she was looking for was to “put a stamp on something that gives
you Lincoln Illinois.” She said she and her group would return to the work table
with what they have learned and will then determine how to position Lincoln and
how to market the community.
She said there was a lot to work with, and she anticipated her firm spending
another 12 to 16 weeks, doing their homework and creating marketable information
for the city.
Once everything is compiled, and understood, DCC Marketing will be able to
create a marketing playbook that should be used in the future to assist the city
leaders in accomplishing the marketing goals.
[Nila Smith]
Related
Lincoln aldermen host brainstorming session with DCC Marketing - Part one
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