Enterprise Zone Board Holds Annual Reorganization

The Enterprise Zone Board representing Effingham City and County and the Village of Teutopolis reorganized Tuesday.

Effingham City Planning Commission Chairman Brian Hayes was re-elected chairman of the Enterprise Zone Board, and Teutopolis Village President David Repking was re-elected Enterprise Zone Board vice-chairman. Public members Jake Buhnerkempe and Luke Hayes are on terms that will run until 2025 and 2026, respectively.

City Economic Development Specialist Sasha Althoff shared that 13 projects have been started in the Enterprise Zone in the past year. Eight of those were residential. The business projects, either new or expansions, were at John Boos and Company, Valvoline, Mid Illinois Concrete, Shelter Insurance, Home 2 Suites, and South Central FS. 

The projects have a value of $5,339,600. 

Althoff said eight jobs were created by the projects, although she said it's harder to establish how many jobs might have been retained by the projects.

There was also discussion of the continuing need for housing. Unit 40 Superintendent Andrew Johnson said there continues to be a need for housing valued at around $150,000 for younger families wanting to locate in the community.