Jasper County Economic Development, INC.
Monthly Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 2nd
10:30am Via Zoom
Attending: Jason Warfel, Amber Volk, Frank Dhom, Marlene Harris, Ron Heltsley, Tom Brown, Louis
Ochs, Doug Weddell, Amber Wakefield, Jack Thompson, Mindy Hartke, Andy Johnson, Ben Bollman,
Sarah Kinkade, Mark Bolander.
1. Call to order, Vice Chairman Jason Warfel.
2. Motion to approve previous January 2021 meeting minutes made by Marlene Harris, second by Ron
Heltsley, motion passed.
1. Monthly Updates
a. Amber Volk, Executive Director
i. JEDI Celebration Summary: Over 35 individuals attended. The JEDItalks can be found on our
website: https://jaspercountyillinois.org/jeditalks
ii. 360 Videos: After speaking with Adrian Guzman, a simple video with no talking would
be $100-$150 and one with a voiceover will be $250-$300 per business. It would take him 24-
48hours to finish a video. JEDI has 20 brick-and-mortar businesses members and 2-3 other. If
we look to do a 360 video for all the brick-and-mortar businesses on the high end would be
$6,000 and for the others doing a regular video high end $450 totaling around $6,450. JEDI has
recently received $11,500 in Enterprise Zone Fees due to two new projects. We also have 3
more new businesses that will be looking to implement the Enterprise Zone this year.
1. Motion to approve $6,450 for the business videos made by Andy Johnson, second by
Mark Bolander. Roll call was taken: Yes: Frank Dhom, Marlene Harris, Tom Brown,
Louis Ochs, Mindy Hartke, Andy Johnson, Mark Bolander.
No: Jason Warfel, Ron Heltsley, Doug Weddell, Ben Bollman, Sarah Kindkade.
Motion passed.
After discussion it was decided to have the Chamber be the first 360 video.
iii. JEDItalks: We will start doing more JEDItalks. There is current discussion on if we
should do them during a different time than our monthly meetings via Zoom and invite the
public or keep them at the first Tuesday of the month.
iv. I am currently working on closing out the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant.
There will be a public hearing on March 16 th at 5:30pm at the Newton City Hall.
v. We will be meeting in person starting April 6 th at 10:30am at the Chamber building with
the option of Zoom.
b. Mark Bolander, Mayor of Newton:
i. First National Bank of Olney, Sarah Bush Lincoln Clinic, Senior Living Complex, and Agri-
Tek Enterprise LLC/Agri-Systems Solutions are all busy with building and remodeling. The
Senior Living Complex ended up having to redo some drainage.
c. Jason Warfel, Jasper County Board Chairman:
i. January opted for bids for the jail project.
ii. The consolidated election is April 6 th but early voting is going on now.
1. The proposition on the ballot is not a new tax and that money helps with county
roads.
d. Andy Johnson, Superintendent of Jasper County Unit #1: none
e. Sarah Kinkade, Chamber of Commerce Director:
i. There will be ribbon cutting ceremonies for:
1. Prehab – March 18 th @ 3:30pm
2. Miss Bradlie Mercantile Co – March 12 th @ 5pm
3. West End Receptions and Events – March 29 th @
