Editors note:
These minutes discuss the lack of a community calendar for Jasper County. There is a community calendar on our website which offers a free way for people, groups, and organizations to promote their events. During school season, we also include school related events.
Jasper County Economic Development, INC.
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020 at 1:15 P.M.
Was held via Google Meet video call.
Attending: Amber Wakefield, Sarah Kinkade, Tom Brown, Ben Bollman, Brett Lessley, Jason Warfel,
Marlene Harris, Ron Heltsley, Frank Dhom, Scott Bierman, Mark Bolander, Andy Johnson, Larry
Brooks.
Start Time: 1:17pm
1. Call to order, Chairman Scott Bierman
2. Motion to approve previous March 2020 meeting minutes made by Mark Bolander,
second by Sarah Kinkade, motion passed.
3. Amber Wakefield:
Others are taking notes on how Jasper County is handling COVID-19.
We need to get ahead w/ marketing the community.
o Examples: Community calendar, available homes, meet community leaders.
There needs to be a more cohesive avenue for our community’s information.
Amber W’s team can come up with a solution and help with getting out this
information.
The Marketing Committee will start meeting again and will brainstorm with Amber
Wakefield.
4. Monthly Updates
a. Amber Volk, Executive Director
i. Currently in Phase 3 of the State’s Reopening Plan. We will have in person
meetings once we are in Phase 4.
ii. The City of Newton was able to send in applications for two local businesses
in regards to the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program. Currently
waiting to hear from the State.
iii. St. Joseph Renewable Fuels: $400 million project. 100 full time jobs. Will
use brown & yellow grease to create drop in diesel fuel. Will take 2 years for
construction.
b. Mark Bolander, Mayor of Newton
i. Sarah Bush Lincoln Clinic will be relocating across from Napa. Looking to break
ground this year.
ii. First National Bank of Olney will have a zoning hearing and is looking to
break ground this summer.
iii. Westend Reception and Events has started dirt work.
iv. The Five Aprils Crossings Lot Lottery has been pushed back to a later time.
v. Will be meeting with IGA.
c. Ron Heltsley, Jasper County Board Chairman
i. Have approved jail concept but is currently being tweaked. Goal is to start Sept 1 st .
ii. The hazard mitigation plan has been submitted and will probably receive
feedback to tweak.
iii. County bars are open w/ outdoor seating.
iv. Next County board meeting is June 11 th @ 7pm located upstairs in the
courthouse but will also be on Zoom video call.
d. Andy Johnson, Superintendent of Jasper County Unit #1.
i. Next School board meeting will be June 15 th but will send more information on a
later date about location.
ii. Filmed 111 graduates and will show the movie at the Drive-in theater only
for family on June 22 nd .
iii. Currently preparing for next year, very little guidance currently. We have
three options: 1. Have everyone in person at school. 2. Have everyone at home. 3.
Have half in person and half at home and alternate. We are doing everything we
can to have everyone in person. Will keep everyone updated.
iv. Will be starting an Advisory Group to get input from lots of different areas.
e. Sarah Kinkade, Chamber of Commerce Director
i. Have yet to send out invoices to Chamber Members due to current events. Will
work w/ members who can’t pay.
ii. Busy with helping the Health Department in organizing various needs like
homemade masks and getting groceries for the workers at Newton Care Center.
iii. Event dates are currently up in the air and unsure if they will be different.
5. Comments from those attending the meeting: None.
6. Motion to close meeting made by Andy Johnson , second by Jason Warfel, and motion
passed.
