It's official, new Lincoln and Logan County Enterprise Zone designation announced

[February 02, 2017]  LINCOLN - On Wednesday, February 1, 2017, the Logan County Regional Planning Commission held its monthly meeting. The main focus was an update on the approval of the Lincoln and Logan County Enterprise Zone application made to and approved by the state of Illinois.

The enterprise zone application was filed at the end of 2015 and then had to be reviewed and scored with awards granted by the end of 2016 to take effect in 2017. The previous zone would have expired in 2017.

Logan County Zoning Officer Will D'Andrea said the state has certified and granted the Lincoln and Logan County Enterprise Zone designation. D'Andrea serves as the local administrator for the enterprise zone. D'Andrea said he has new login credentials and a new zone name. He has issued one certificate for sales tax exemption under the new zone.

Commission member Becky Werth asked how long the enterprise zone would be valid.

D'Andrea said the enterprise zone will be in place for thirteen years.

D'Andrea said he has updated the zoning office link by adding an enterprise zone page on the county website. This page shows the new zones.

Logan County Board chairman Chuck Ruben said the [farm grain] elevators paid for most of the process.

D'Andrea said the elevators made contributions to fund the consultant.

D'Andrea said consultants did "the bulk" of the work in setting up the enterprise zone, though he was involved in planning.

Commission Vice Chairman Blair Hoerbert said the enterprise zone has helped with construction in New Holland.

Zoning officer report

D'Andrea said he is working on next generation Geographical Information System applications. He will use a collector app to help create web maps.

D'Andrea said the collector app has a feature where you can take an iPhone or iPad out in the field, then access the map to make changes that will be downloaded into the GIS. The app allows people to use a smartphone or tablet to collect and update information.

D'Andrea said he will need to update his cell phone with the cost of the package going from $38 to $47 per month. With the new package, D'Andrea will be able to get an iPhone 6 to update the GIS. D'Andrea said if that works well, he may get an iPad at a later date.

Other updates

D'Andrea said the 2015 audit has been completed and there were no issues. He said it was the third year of having an audit done, which was one of the commission's goals. Three years of audits are required to get federal funding.

D'Andrea handed out a list of the current officers for the Regional Planning Commission and its executive and finance committees. New officers are elected in February.

Current officers for the RPC are Bill Graff, chairman; Blair Hoerbert, vice-chairman; and Jeff Hoinacki, treasurer.

Officers for the RPC's executive committee are Bill Graff, committee chairman; Blair Hoerbert, committee vice-chairman; Jeff Hoinacki, Marty Neitzel, and Jim Vipond.

Officers for the RPC's finance committee are Jeff Hoinacki, treasurer and chairman; Bill Graff, committee chairman; Blair Hoerbert, committee vice-chairman; Becky Werth, and Fred Finchum.

Board chairman Chuck Ruben motioned that the current slate of officers be re-elected with Becky Werth seconding his motion. The motion was unanimously approved.

Commission members present were vice chairman Blair Hoerbert, Jim Fuhrer, Gerald Lolling, Ryan Murphy, Chuck Ruben, Dave Schonauer, Scott Schaffenacker and Becky Werth. Zoning Officer Will D'Andrea was also present.

[Angela Reiners]