News
2008 County Updates
Christian County
The Taylorville Energy Center/Christian County Generation, LLC is a proposed 630-megawatt clean coal power plant using Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle that will be located a mile northeast of Taylorville. The plant will convert Illinois coal into synthesis gas to generate electricity to power about 630,000 area homes. Construction of the plant could begin as soon as late 2008 with full commercial operation expected in 2012.
The Taylorville Mining Company is currently developing a new underground coal mine near Stonington. Ground breaking is anticipated in the second quarter of 2009. Total investment of the proposed coal mine is estimated to be in the range of $125 million dollars with estimated employment of 275 full time jobs when the mine reaches full production of 3 millions tons of coal per year.
The GSI Group, Inc., headquartered in Assumption, chose to segregate their Grain and Swine Protein business units, which provided Protein the opportunity for a fully autonomous manufacturing facility. The GSI Protein unit chose to lease and renovate an existing facility in Taylorville. Shortly after the location was announced, GSI then announced it would also expand the building, which would result in the creation of 100 additional jobs and double the original investment of approximately $5 million.
With the construction of the Five Oaks Gas to Energy facility, Waste Management, Inc. has made Taylorville the chosen site for H.M. Buckley Growers' greenhouse relocation. Buckley's began searching for a site to construct a new and more cost effective facility due to their current location's constraints and inefficiencies. Waste Management offered Buckley's the opportunity to utilize hot water, a by-product of methane gas, fueled electricity generators, to heat a new facility at seventy-five percent less than their current energy costs. This reduction in operating costs and innovation in heating systems for the new greenhouse positions Buckley's at the leading edge in the industry and a considerable advantage over their competitors. Buckley's is located on a 35-acre site adjacent to Waste Management in Taylorville, and consists of a 4-acre greenhouse and a 20,000 square foot support building.
Clark County
On November 28th, the people of Clark County and the surrounding area welcomed the Lake Land College Eastern Region Center to Marshall. The Center originated through a unique partnership between the City of Marshall, Marshall Community Unit School District, Mr. Jerry Forsythe, and Lake Land College. Other community and business leaders, including First Bank of Marshall, Martinsville, and Paris, Rowe Foundry and Yargus Manufacturing, have offered their financial support for the Center.
The newly renovated 8,000 square foot facility houses a spacious multipurpose vocational skills lab and classroom, two regular classrooms, a computer lab and a computer resource area for the community. A Marshall High School dual credit automotive and small engines class has been meeting there since the Fall of 2007 while regular college courses began in January 2008.
The Wal-mart Supercenter held its grand opening on October 24th. The new 99,000 square foot store is located just off I-70 in Marshall. With the Wal-mart Supercenter open, Burger King decided to renovate and reopen its restaurant by the I-70.
The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy relocated their facility in 2007. Their brand new building has a drive-up window and additional square footage to offer more products. It is now conveniently located at the corner of US Route 40 and North 2nd Street in Marshall.
Coles County
It has been an exciting year in Coles County. Many events have occurred that brought the citizens, both corporate and individuals, together in ways not seen before. All of the people in Coles County shared a seat on the same rollercoaster as they have moved through the highs and lows of the FutureGen project and the excitement and disappointment that have accompanied the selection process. They wish to report that they continue to work with the FutureGen Alliance, the City of Mattoon, the State of Illinois, elected officials in Springfield and elected officials in Washington D.C. to build FutureGen in Mattoon. The FutureGen Alliance Board of Directors unanimously agrees that building FutureGen in Mattoon remains in the public interest and is unwavering in its resolve and support to do so.
By successfully recruiting FutureGen, Coles County has shown the world theyre ready to compete on a global level. Coles County is a smart destination for new and expanding businesses. The leaders of the county hope that by bringing in leaders in energy, science and research it will lead to a stronger and more diversified local economy that brings quality jobs to their citizens.
In addition to the excitement surrounding FutureGen, Coles County is working on many other exciting projects also in the pipeline. The Illinois Clean Fuels (ICF) project near Oakland is making great strides and hopes to announce full funding by the middle of this summer for a project that will go on line in 2012. ICF will mine coal locally for conversion into synthetic diesel fuel and synthetic jet fuel. Six hundred jobs will be created in the process. Family Farmers Meats, an organic meat processing plant, continues to push forward on its project and will result in more than 50 jobs being created.
Existing industry continues to gain strength and momentum evidenced by capital investment and growth at many local plants, including Dow Chemical, Hi-Cone, Red Rock Tile Company, Anamet Electrical, Rural King Supply, Arkwright, and Olmsted Brothers Insulation.
Cumberland County
Cumberland County celebrates with many events. They hosted their first ever Relay For Life of Cumberland County, where they broke state records for participation. Toledo, Cumberland County seat, boasts five years of great success with their annual Freedom Day celebration and firework extravaganza scheduled for June 28th. Cumberland County Development hosted their first Community Connection Dinner Celebration (CCDC) in February with great success. This event will now be an annual event, already set for February 28th, 2009. Toledo Development hosted the 2nd Biannual Circus at Legion Field in April.
Development is on the rise in Cumberland County. This past year, Toledo and Greenup Volunteer Fire Departments received generous gifts to purchase equipment from the Neal Foundation. Lincoln Trail Motosports received $557,000 for continued operation and has submitted a second application to build an indoor, year round riding arena. The Village of Jewett received CDAP grant dollars to repair and replace storm drains throughout the Village. The Cumberland County area received a financial commitment from a local benefactor to construct a community center with an indoor pool.
Thirty-four new businesses were located in Cumberland County in 2007. Greenup Recycling chose to locate in Cumberland County and Evapco Midwest purchased 40 adjacent acres in preparation for their future expansion. Casey's General Store announced a "prototype" store will locate in Greenup this spring. Go Joes Quick Lube is currently under construction at the intersection of IL Rt.130 and I-70. Brighton Cabinetry announced their intention to expand at their current Neoga location.
Douglas County
Douglas County has had a wealth of projects taking place this past year.
Tuscola has just completed its Business Retention Survey and TEDI hosted a meeting in April to share the results of the survey with the community. TEDI is using much of the information gathered renewing its organization's three year strategic plan.
The City of Tuscola gave final approval on a new Re-development Agreement with Tanger Outlets this year. The agreement provides incentives to Tanger Outlets for attracting new tenants and maintaining set occupancy levels.
Tuscola continues to work with a number of parties who have expressed interest in the proposed FutureGen site at Tuscola. They continue to support FutureGen at Mattoon and monitor the status of the project as well as the actions taken in this area by the Department of Energy.
In Arcola, many new jobs were added in 2007 due to expansions. Herff Jones initiated a $4.5 million dollar expansion of their Cap & Gown facility in June of 2006. The project added 20 full-time production jobs at the facility. Mid-State Industries initiated their expansion in February. As part of the $250,000 project, the industrial steel processor used a $75,000 loan from the City's revolving fund to expand their production line. As a result, 5 new jobs were added as the business celebrated its 10th anniversary in Arcola. Since 1957, Libman Broom Company has called Arcola home. Since 2003, the Libman Company has expanded four times with the latest started in July 2007 and will be completed this spring. The $4.5 million project will add 132,000 square feet of warehouse space and add at least 20 jobs. JER Overhaul began in 1996 with a local resident Eric Headrick in a 2-car garage with Eric and another employee. After moving to their present location on Route 45 in 2000, JER has had gone through numerous expansions and is set to expand again this year.
In Arcola, much ground has been broke to begin new construction and development. Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center broke ground on a 5,000 square foot facility on Route 133 in September 2007. Arcola Clinic will offer a traditional medical practice, mobile MRI services, x-rays and other services. The City of Arcola and TEMM 2000, Inc. have partnered to develop a new subdivision. The City will be using TIF funds to offset eligible costs by the developer to provide expanded affordable housing opportunities. With ground broke on the first condo unit already the subdivision is set for early this summer. Arcola has a development agreement with Green Mill Village, LLC. The group plans to construct an "Environmentally" friendly commercial site on 63 acres off of I-57. The plans call for the ground to be broke on a LEED certified Silver Hotel and Conference Center designed by Seebree Architects as well as other commercial/retail developments in 2008.
Edgar County
For Paris and Edgar County, 2007 was primarily a year of preparation for 2008 to be a year of execution.
In late 2007 North American Lighting, Inc. completed a $13 million manufacturing plant expansion designed to add another 160 jobs in the 57,000 square foot addition. PEDCO is working with three local industries that are planning to expand either local production centers or offices this year, but have not publicly announced their projects. Also, having nearly filled all acreage in its south industrial park, PEDCO has developed an adjacent 64-acre industrial site for future locations.
The City of Paris expects to solicit construction contracts this spring for its $16 million municipal water project that will tap into the Wabash aquifer in Indiana to provide a virtually unlimited future supply. Concurrently, the Clark-Edgar Rural Water District opened bids in February for an $8 million well field, treatment plant and additional rural lines. It will deliver water from the same aquifer for residential, agricultural, and future industrial needs in the two-county rural area. The City of Paris opened bids in February for a $600,000 Department of Transportation "streetscape" improvement in the central business district. The Illinois Industrial Labor Council is investing in a 50-unit entry-level housing development located between the Paris Community Hospital campus and the east-side commercial-retail area, to be completed this year.
New retail developments this year will include a new McDonald's restaurant and O'Riley's Auto Parts store. A major chain pharmacy also is acquiring property for a new location. Paris Community Hospital initiated planning for a "Phase II" expansion/addition centering on surgical, radiology, laboratory, emergency department and business areas.
In a major initiative by the city, PEDCO and the educational community this year is to acquire the former Department of Corrections Work Camp facility at the north edge of Paris which has sat vacant for the past five years. The community plan seeks to retrofit the existing buildings into an adult education/vocational training and college extension center, available for staffing and programs from all area institutions including the University of Illinois, Eastern Illinois University, Indiana State University; and Lake Land College, as well as the U. of I. Extension Service. Adjacent to this will be the site for a new unified high school complex. Two local school districts have proposed development of a cooperative high school and invited other units in the county to investigate joining with them.
Effingham County
In Effingham, construction is underway for the new FedEx Freight facility which is located south of the Petro Stopping Center and north of U.S. Route 40. The new facility will be approximately 100,000 square feet in size with 166 truck docks. The complex will be a regional hub for the Freight Division.
Harlan Bakeries purchased the former Krispy Kreme facility located in the Effingham Business Park. The Company specializes in bagels, cakes, pies, mixes, cookies and dough.
Schulte Building Systems purchased property in the South U.S. Route 45 Business Park and constructed an 88,800 square foot manufacturing facility. The company manufactures metal building components and is headquartered in Hockley, Texas.
Outer Belt West is under construction in two different sections off of Fayette Avenue. Outer Belt West from Fayette Avenue north to Evergreen Avenue is under construction and will provide direct access to the middle and southern interchanges. Outer Belt West from Fayette Avenue south to U.S. Route 40 is being constructed as part of the FedEx Freight Project and is slated to be completed in 2009.
The Rose Bud Theatre, a live performance theatre, opened in the Fall of 2007 and seats 1,564 people. The theatre is home to around 60 performances per year.
Kohl's Department Store opened in the Fall of 2007. The new store is located just north of the Wal-Mart Supercenter off Ford Avenue. The 67,553 square foot department store is the first development on the 30 acre site.
Moultrie County
2007 was a year of celebration in many respects for Sullivan. The Sullivan Chamber & Economic Development commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Sullivan Chamber of Commerce. The Little Theatre on the Square also celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special production featuring stars from past shows.
Nine new businesses opened in Sullivan this year including a bed and breakfast and a rental home for vacationers. The Do-it-Best Hardware store on south Route 32 was reopened by entrepreneurs from Stewardson. Petersen Healthcare began construction on Courtyard Estates, making this their third property in Sullivan.
Sullivan saw many changes in 2007 with the biggest news being the closure of the Old School Market in Sullivan. The owners made a difficult decision to sell the property to make room for a new CVS Pharmacy retail location. With CVS scheduled to relocate in 2008, Jerry's IGA will fill the available space by expanding their products and services.
Downtown Revitalization efforts continue with two completed façade renovations and several more buildings in various stages of construction. Our IDOT Enhancement Grant start date was postponed and should be underway in spring 2008.
Local manufacturers continue to work with the schools and economic development on ways to increase the skill level and work ethic of potential employees. Their demand for workers results in Moultrie County having one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state of Illinois.
Shelby County
Shelby County is currently in the formation stages of developing the Shelby County Economic Development Corporation. The new corporation will operate under the Shelby County Board with the purpose to encourage, foster, promote and stimulate economic, community and industrial development to create and retain employment in Shelby County.
International Paper has partnered with Lake Land College, Pana Schools and Shelbyville Schools to develop a vocational training program called Mechatronics. This leading program will attempt to utilize the Tower Hill vocational building to provide mechanical, electrical, and industrial arts education for high school students wishing to further their education and employment skills.
The General Dacey Trail is a scenic walking and biking trail still in the process of completion. In 2007, phase II of the trail was completed and bids for Phase III of the Trail will be awarded in the spring of 2008 with construction to begin in the summer.
The Shelbyville Forest Park has added several new attractions including an indoor sports complex. Also, Forest Park now has a full size soccer field and two fields of a four-field baseball diamond complex are nearing completion. A new concession facility will be added to serve patrons.
The Shelby County Lincoln Heritage received a $26,000 grant from the Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. The grant money will be used to promote Lincolns history in Shelby County with storyboards to be located throughout the Shelbyville community. From other monies raised, the organization is having a bronze sculpture of Lincoln fabricated. The sculpture will reside at the base of the Shelby County Courthouse steps.
Since 2007, many new businesses have opened or are in the process of opening in new locations in Shelbyville and in Shelby County including the Willow Ridge Winery and the Country Charm Bed & Breakfast. Catherine Yutmeyer, a NCCPA board certified and Illinois state licensed physician assistant has opened the Shelby Community Medical Center.