Enterprise Zone Board Reviews Past Year Projects

The Effingham City/County Enterprise Zone Board amended the qualifications for projects seeking annexation into the Zone.

The minimum requirement for non-residential projects was 10 jobs at $13.50/hour. Now, the minimum will be five jobs at $15.00/hour. The residential guidelines added last year are for a minimum of 10 single-family lots or four multi-family lots.

Enterprise Zone Administrator Sasha Althoff said seven projects were begun in the past year, generating nine jobs and $8.5 million in investments. The projects included concrete expansion for a lumber yard at John Boos and Company; two 25,000 square foot warehouses developed by Fritz Krampe on South Raney Street; two new bays and two jobs at Truck Centers; a new building across Illinois Routes 32/33 from their current location for Sperry Sales and two jobs; and a new home for RentX on the site of the former Tourism Office on Hampton Drive and one job created. 

Althoff said there was also an office renovation at 3Z Printing, as well as one house in Golden Fields Subdivision and another house on the way, as well as Northwind Apartments.

The Enterprise Zone Board re-elected Plan Commission Chairman Brian Hayes as chairman and Teutopolis Village Board President David Repking as vice-chairman. Luke Hayes was earlier chosen to remain as the public member of the board.