Logan County Board Finance Committee discusses economic investment

 

[November 12, 2020] 

At the Logan County Board Finance Committee meeting Tuesday, November 10, one focus of discussion was the 2020 Greater Peoria Economic Development Council (GPEDC) investment.

Committee members present were Committee Vice Chairman David Hepler, Board Chairman Emily Davenport, David Blankenship and Janet Estill. Other board members present were Cameron Halpin and Board Vice Chairman Scott Schaffenacker.

The Greater Peoria EDC recently sent their annual $5,000 invoice to the county for being part of the group and Davenport told them she would talk to the finance committee. Davenport said she wants to keep the $5,000 line item for the GPEDC in the budget.

The GPEDC helped with the county applying for Covid-19 support through the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant Program and the CARES Act.

In June, the county approved 22 of Logan County's businesses for the downstate grants with most businesses applying for the maximum of $25,000 for a combined total of $583,440.

In July, the county applied for CARES Act funds. While those funds have not come through yet, the county anticipates receiving between $250,000 to $300,000.

Davenport motioned the county continue with the $5,000 investment. Because of Logan County’s low-income levels, Davenport said the GPEDC likes having Logan County be part of the council.

Though Hepler said he is sure the GPEDC helped with the covid funding, every month for the last several years, there was nothing to report from them. He is not sure about giving the GPEDC $5,000 each year when he sees them doing little for the county.

For example, Hepler said four years ago, hundreds of people worked with the nuclear power plant and the future energy jobs bill was the difference between many of them having a job. When Hepler reached out to the GPEDC and asked if they would support the bill, they refused.

Though the GPEDC helped with the stabilization program, Blankenship said he is torn. They did not help the county with getting a $1.25 million Capital Grant and budgetary allowance from Senator Brady for the courthouse. He is not sure how much the GPEDC has done for the county.

When the budget is already tight, he is torn about the funding. Blankenship wants to know who can do best for the county.

When county dollars are already short, Estill said she is also torn about the investment. She has not seen much help from the group.

Schaffenacker said now is not the time to make a rash decision on the investment. Mount Pulaski has an Economic Development Council and Schaffenacker said they use GPEDC as a resource. He is in favor of staying in the GPEDC for the year.

For now, Halpin said it seems wiser to stay with GPEDC for another year. When the board finds a new liaison to attend the meetings, that person may have a different perspective. Halpin is torn like some of others, but also feels economic development is important.

Essentially, Hepler said the committee is voting to continue the $5,000 investment into the GPEDC. He said it would be good to let the GPEDC know Logan County would like to see more out of them.

Agreeing with Hepler, Blankenship said he would like to see more of their successes.

At one point the board was paying lot more for economic development. Davenport said the GPEDC might be happy with even $2,500 for six months. That would still show the county has some interest in being part of the GPEDC.

An amendment to include $5,000 for the GPEDC did not get enough votes from the committee. Hepler said it may be discussed further with the full board at the board workshop.

The Logan County Board Workshop is set for on Thursday, Nov. 19 and its voting session takes place at the Regular meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 24th. Both meetings take place at 6 p.m. in the Orr Building (across the street from Lincoln City Hall and Logan County Courthouse.)

[Angela Reiners]

Past related articles:

Big Round Table – Rural Matters invites public to sort out economic needs and interests in Logan County

Logan County Big Table: Big concerns - Big assets

Logan County Board approves 18 applications for Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program

Four additional Logan County business applications for Downstate Stabilization Program approved