Jasper County Economic, INC.
Annual Business Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 7th, 2020 at 1:15 P.M.
Jasper County Chamber Building
Peoples State Bank Meeting Room
124 S. Van Buren St, Newton, IL. 62448
Attending: Amber Volk, Brett Lessley, Tom Brown, Mark Bolander, Amber Wakefield, Sarah Kinkade,
Beth Probst, Diane Scott, Marlene Harris, Ed Webb, Jack Thompson, Ron Heltsley, Jason Warfel,
Louis Ochs, Doug, Weddell, Ben Bollman, Andy Johnson, Mindy Hartke.
1. Call to order, Executive Director Amber Volk.
2. Motion to approve previous meeting minutes made by Andy Johnson, second by Jack
Thompson, motion passed.
1. Annual Election of JEDI Officers and Board Members
JEDI Officers
Scott Bierman, Chairman
Jason Warfel, Vice Chairman
Mark Bolander, Secretary
Brett Lessley, Treasurer
JEDI Executive Director
Amber Volk
JEDI Board of Directors
Amber Volk
Brett Lessley
Ed Webb
Louis Ochs
Scott Bierman
Larry Brooks, City of Newton
Mark Bolander, City of Newton
Marlene Harris, City of Newton
Jack Thompson, Ste. Marie
Jason Warfel, Jasper County Board
Ben Bollman, Jasper County Board
Ron Heltsley, Jasper County Board
Doug Weddell, Jasper County Chamber of Commerce
Sarah Kinkade, Jasper County Chamber of Commerce
Andrew Johnson, Unit #1 Superintendent
Beth Probst, NCHS Principal
NCHS Student Representative
NCHS Student Representative
*Beth Probst will be bringing two NCHS student rerpresentatives.
2. Annual Budget Approval.
a. Motion to approve annual budget approval made by Andy Johnson, second by Louis
Ochs, motion passed.
3. Annual JEDI Celebration
a. The annual JEDI celebration will be February 5th, 2019 at 11:30am @ the Sunrise
Center in Newton, Illinois. An invite will be sent via email. We ask you to RSVP for a
more accurate food count.
4. Jason Warfel speaking on JASPER TOGETHER and how it’s important for the
community. (The flyer can be found attached to email)
a. The first Meeting will be February 5, 2020 at 5:30pm @ Knights of Columbus Hall
with meal starting at 5pm.
b. We ask you to please RSVP for an accurate food count and materials for the meeting.
c. This is open to the public and no one will be turned away.
5. Amber Wakefield:
a. Working on the sign on the square. Having problems with finding instructions on how
to use the sign completely. This is a great opportunity make public any events.
b. If anyone has questions about social media or needs something posted, contact Amber
Wakefield at amberagogoblog@gmail.com or 937-572-8439
6. Monthly Updates
a. Amber Volk, Executive Director
i. The Solid Grounds building as been purchased. Although a name or exact
business is not available yet, the individual will be implementing TIF.
b. Mark Bolander, Mayor of Newton
i. 2020 is looking like it will be a big year for the county. A few projects are
currently in the works but am not at liberty to say. Hopefully it will be public
soon.
ii. We are needing to revive the River Walk fundraiser. It’s an 80/20 grant and trying
to fundraise the 20. Construction will not start till the Summer or fall due to IDOT
looking for possible Sand Darters in the construction area. There will be folder’s
containers at a few businesses for donations.
c. Ron Heltsley, Jasper County Board Chairman
i. Levey has been approved.
ii. A new project meeting will be Wednesday the 15th at 9am to discuss the
construction of the new sheriff department/ jail project.
iii. Some work is being done on the Court House, washing and receding brick.
d. Andy Johnson, Superintendent of Jasper County Unit #1.
i. School started back up on Thursday the 2nd.
ii. We are looking for a great 2020 year.
iii. Beth Probst: both boys and girls won the Dieterich Tournament.
e. Sarah Kinkade, Chamber of Commerce Director
i. Working on the Mapping project.
ii. Chamber Banquet is on March 16th at the KC hall.
iii. Citizen of the year forms will be available soon. Start thinking of someone who is
deserving of the prestigious award.
7. Comments from those attending the meeting.
8. Motion to close meeting made by Louis Ochs, second by Doug Weddell, and motion
passed.
