Jasper County Economic, INC.
Unofficial Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 at 1:15 P.M.
Jasper County Government Building
Board Room
The meeting was moved from the Chamber Building due to carpets being cleaned
Attending: Ron Heltsley, Larry Brooks, Scott Bierman, Amber Volk, Jason Warfel, Mark Bolander, Louis Ochs, Andy Johnson, Jack Thompson, Brett Lesley,
1. Call to order, Chairman Scott Bierman.
2. Motion to approve previous meeting minutes made by Andy Johnson, second Larry
Brooks, motion passed.
3. Motion to approve $1,500 for the upcoming Corvette Funrun coming to Newton on
September 19 th made by Ron Heltsley, second by Louis Ochs , motion passed.
4. Monthly Updates
a. Amber Volk, Executive Director
i. Scott Bierman and I currently working on LOIS (Location One).
1 An online site which presents large parcels or buildings available for
companies to purchase.
ii. Dollar General predicts to be completed in September 2019 and possibly be
open in October 2019. The project is implementing the Enterprise Zone but I am
still waiting on additional information so the contractors are able to obtain their tax
exemption certificates.
1 Although the project is in the Tif, it was not able to be used because of the
start before paperwork and approval.
b. Mark Bolander, Mayor of Newton
i. One new house is 2/3 built in Five Aprils Crossing and another this fall.
ii. 40 banners were ordered for the new street lamps and they are now in.
iii. The logo that will be painted on Washington will be
prepped and painted on August 9 th and 10 th . The section will be blocked off but the road will still be open.
iv. The Queen of Hearts is now on 35 weeks and is bringing money into Jasper County.
1 Jack Thompson : People from Indiana are buying tickets from the Gas Station in Sainte Marie and we had a total of $10,000 in ticket sales. While people are there, they are buying gas, drinks, etc.
c. Ron Heltsley, Jasper County Board Chairman
i. Cruise Night had a really nice turn out. It was bigger than last year.
ii. The jail project is still on going and the next meeting is August 15 th .
d. Andy Johnson, Superintendent of Jasper County Unit #1.
i. School starts back up next week.
ii. This will be the first year with the from scratch food service OPAA Food
Management Inc. All current food staff will stay until they retire then OPAA will
do local hiring.
1 We are hoping for more participation from students.
2 Neoga, Dieterich, Robinson, and Hutsonville are using the food service.
3 The food will be better and an estimated $50,000 will be saved per year.
iii. There were 17 personnel hired for replacement positions.
iv. 18-20% of our students are special needs. We have two full time counselors.
v. We are looking for volunteers for our mentor program. For any questions
contact Andy Johnson.
5. Comments from those attending the meeting.
6. Motion to close meeting made by Louis Ochs, second by Jack Thompson, and motion
passed.
