Effingham Enterprise Zone Board Meets

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Published on June 25 2019 1:53 pm
Last Updated on June 25 2019 1:53 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

The Effingham City-County Enterprise Zone Board elected officers for the coming year at its recent meeting.

Effingham County Board Chairman Jim Niemann was chosen chairman of the Enterprise Zone Board of Directors. Don Dawkins of 5th/3rd Bank was elected vice-chairman.

The Board welcomed two new members; Effingham Mayor Mike Schutzbach who succeeds former mayor Jeff Bloemker, and J&R Collision Centers Co-Owner Jake Buhnerkempe, representing a business located within the zone boundaries, to replace Jim Zumbahlen.

Enterprise Zone Administrator Sasha Althoff updated the Board on those whose terms will be ending; Dawkins as of May 1, 2020; Teutopolis Village Board President Greg Hess as of May 1, 2021; and Buhnerkempe as of May 2, 2023.

Althoff reviewed projects located in the Enterprise Zone that were finished or commenced in 2019. The list includes Heartland Dental, Wright at Home Interiors, Effingham Storage Solutions, RMC Cinemas, Beck's Superior Hybrids, HG Development/J&J Ventures, Sherwin Williams, and Effingham Diamond Development.

Althoff also summarized the work done so far this year. Nine projects are involved generating $7,553,890 in investment and the addition of 59 jobs. She said the Zone is over halfway to its 2019 goal of $10 million investment and 100 jobs created.

Althoff mentioned upcoming projects including Heartland Towing and Farmweld. She also shared that four zones were designated in 2018 with up to 13 zones available this year and eight zones next year. Althoff shared that Altamont is looking at submitting an application this year.