Jasper County Economic Development, INC.
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020 at 10:30am
*Via Zoom.
Attending: Andy Johnson, Amber Volk, Mark Bolander, Scott Bierman, Diane Scott, Doug Weddell,
Marlene Harris, Jason Warfel, Debra Riddle, Frank Dhom, Amber Wakefield, Sarah Kinkade, Louis
Ochs, Tom Brown, Brett Lessley, Ben Bollman.
1. Call to order, Chairman Scott Bierman
2. Motion to approve previous October 2020 meeting minutes made by Andy Johnson,
second by Marlene Harris, motion passed.
3. Debra Riddle with the Jasper County Health Department spoke about current COVID-19
conditions and mitigation for our area.
4. Monthly Updates
a. Amber Volk, Executive Director
i. Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant: IDCEO requested Newton Elite
Fitness to complete another GATA Budget.
ii. Newton Senior Living Complex: work has started. They are looking to be
walled up by winter.
iii. National Rural Economic Development Association Conference: I will be
attending conference from November 4 th -6 th .
iv. Rotary had to cancel last porkburger fundraiser due to weather. Will be
looking into a winter fundraiser.
v. Website Job Listings: list your business’s job listings!
https://jaspercountyillinois.org/job-listings
b. Mark Bolander, Mayor of Newton
i. Lots of construction going on.
ii. Painting on the square still needs to be completed.
iii. Sarah Bush Lincoln Clinic issues with storm and sewer lines are now figured
out.
iv. River Walk: should go out for bids first of year. Looking a Spring or
Summer to start.
v. Christmas Lighting: Tourism and the Leechman’s will be doing a Christmas
Lights display at Person Park. Lanette Huddleston is working on Christmas lights
at the Old Mill Bridge.
vi. First National Bank of Olney had their ground breaking.
vii. West End Reception and Events: Doug W.: Doing a lot of work yesterday;
drywall, guttering. Parking is complete. First event is December 5 th .
viii. Last home in Five Aprils was sold. Currently 8 homes and still vacant lots.
ix. GSI: Doing improvements. Used TIF money for Storm water, parking low
resurface, reskinning of building.
x. Railroad crossing activity: crossing arms.
c. Jason Warfel, Jasper County Board Vice Chairman
i. It’s Election Day. Go Vote.
ii. Next County Board meeting Nov 12 th @ 7pm in person to pass budget. Nov
9 th Finance meeting.
d. Andy Johnson, Superintendent of Jasper County Unit #1.
i. School Board voted to purchase Sunrise Center. Asking Zoning Board to re-zone
for the education of children. Ste. Marie will be moved to Sunrise Center. This
will save money compared to building new.
ii. School will do everything they can to play sports.
iii. Nov 16 th is next Board meeting.
e. Sarah Kinkade, Chamber of Commerce Director
i. Finished Shoptober, $52,000 in receipts = $1,000 Chamber Bucks. Will be doing
it again starting Black Friday.
ii. No Holly Jolly big Saturday event. Might have the Santa House on the
Square.
iii. We have great ideas for 2021 events.
iv. Expert Collision is the Chamber Member of the Month. Currently doing a
$500 gift certificate to Hartrich Meats giveaway for vehicles that hit deer.
f. Amber Wakefield, Marketing Manager
i. Monthly Newsletter: send to friends.
ii. Birthday and Anniversaries on marquee: $20 for birthdays and anniversaries
to be displayed on the Marquee. Runs Tuesday – Tuesday. Must have request and
payment in 1 week in advance. I'm only allowing 3 per week, 1st come, first
serve. I will have a form that I can email people if they don't live in JC and want
to put something up. There will be a limit to characters or templates but I'm not
certain what that actually is at the moment. Checks get made to Jasper County
Chamber of Commerce, 124 S. Van Buren, Newton, IL 62448. No charge for
100yr(+) birthdays or 75yr(+) anniversaries.
iii. Sarah K: Jasper County shirts and sweatshirts will be available for purchase
soon. Can be shipped or picked up.
5. Comments from those attending the meeting: None.
6. Motion to close meeting made by Marlene Harris , second by Mark Bolander,
and motion passed.
