Serving Crawford, Edwards, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne and White Counties in Southeast Illinois
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GWRPC Board of Directors 2019 Officers
The GWRPC Board of Directors elected officers for 2019 at the annual board meeting on Thursday, March 21st. All four current officers were reappointed for an additional one-year term. Joe Judge, of Wabash County, will continue as Commission Chairman; Rob Anniss, of Richland County, will continue serving as Vice-Chairman; Scott Merkle, of Wayne County, will continue as Secretary; and Randy Hallam, of Edwards County, will continue serving as Commission Treasurer. The GWRPC Board of Directors hosts members from all seven counties the Commission serves and oversees Commission activities.
The GWRPC mission is to serve the Greater Wabash District by providing local, regional, and comprehensive planning, facilitating knowledge enhancement, securing and administering funds and promoting cooperative solutions to regional issues. The seven counties in the GWRPC Economic Development District include: Crawford, Edwards, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White.
GWRPC Hires New Executive Director
GWRPC is excited to welcome Rileigh Lear as the new Executive Director at GWRPC. Rileigh comes to GWRPC with a diverse background in sales, event management, and work in higher education, most recently with the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, IN. She also earned her bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Advertising from USI. Rileigh will be managing the day-to-day operations at GWRPC, spearheading economic development planning, and overseeing the commission’s community development and grant writing efforts.
The GWRPC mission is to serve the Greater Wabash District by providing local, regional, and comprehensive planning, facilitating knowledge enhancement, securing and administering funds and promoting cooperative solutions to regional issues. The seven counties in the GWRPC Economic Development District include: Crawford, Edwards, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White.
GWRPC Hires NEW Community Devlopment Coordinator
Heather Neuman has been hired as the new Community Development Coordinator at GWRPC. Heather will be supporting GWRPC with community development planning, grant writing, and grant administration. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and brings to the table her experience in grant writing, family law, and third-party liability. Heather is married with three children and currently resides in Fairfield.
The GWRPC mission is to serve the Greater Wabash District by providing local, regional, and comprehensive planning, facilitating knowledge enhancement, securing and administering funds and promoting cooperative solutions to regional issues. The seven counties in the GWRPC Economic Development District include: Crawford, Edwards, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White.
GWRPC Seeks Steering Committee for IDOT Grant
Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission has received a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation to conduct a planning study for a bike/walking path between Grayville, Illinois and New Harmony, Indiana. The result of this planning study will be a written report back to the Illinois Department of Transportation and the public.
As a part of this study, a steering committee of interested persons will be formed. The steering committee will guide the direction of this study. A kickoff meeting for the steering committee has been set for April 17, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. The meeting will take place at the office of Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission, 10 West Main Street, Albion, Illinois. Lunch will be provided. To RSVP, please contact Michael Gill, Grant Administrator, by Thursday, April 11th, at 618-445-3612 or email at mgill@gwrpc.com.
The GWRPC mission is to serve the Greater Wabash District by providing local, regional, and comprehensive planning, facilitating knowledge enhancement, securing and administering funds and promoting cooperative solutions to regional issues. The seven counties in the GWRPC Economic Development District include: Crawford, Edwards, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White.
Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission Hires New Grant Administrator
We are excited to welcome Michael Gill as the new GWRPC Grant Administrator. Gill is a retired Professional Engineer from Mt. Carmel. He was a consulting civil engineering for over 40 years working on infrastructure projects in the Southeastern Illinois area. Gill has a Bachelor’s of Science in Civil Engineering from University of Missouri at Rolla and a Master’s Degree in Geographic Information Systems from Penn State University.
He is married with 3 children and a member at the Mt. Carmel’s First Christian Church Disciples of Christ. Gill is also the Vice President of the Wabash Valley College Foundation and a member of the Mt. Carmel Economic Area Alliance. Gill will be assisting GWRPC with an Illinois Department of Transportation- Rural Transportation Bike Study and various other grant administration.
The GWRPC Mission is to serve the Greater Wabash District by providing local, regional, and comprehensive planning, facilitating knowledge enhancement, securing and administering funds and promoting cooperative solutions to regional issues. The seven counties in the GWRPC Economic Development District include: Crawford, Edwards, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White. Please visit their Web-site at www.gwrpc.com.
City of Grayville partners with Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission receives $59,807 SEDAP Investment from Delta Regional Authority
NEWS: Delta Regional Authority, state and local partners are investing to the strengthen Illinois' workforce, infrastructure, and economy
GRAYVILLE, Ill. – The Delta Regional Authority, together with its federal and locally-based partners, are investing to strengthen the Illinois' infrastructure, workforce, and economy.
The city of Grayville is going to extend Koehler Street within the Grayville I64 Plaza Industrial park to make room for a new business that will be located within the city owned park.
"These strategic investments help us accomplish our core mission - create jobs, build communities, and improve the lives of families across Illinois," said DRA Chairman Masingill.
DRA will be investing $59,807 in supporting southern Illinois' entrepreneurial ecosystem, upgrading and repairing road, and water infrastructure in Hardin County and Evansville. As well as purchasing equipment to train local workers on engine systems. Other public investments include city funds and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). Together they are investing $407,193 into the project.
"The residents of Illinois' Delta region understand the importance of investing in our nation's infrastructure – whether that be our roads, bridges, water, or workforce. I will continue working alongside the Delta Regional Authority to ensure Illinois' communities have access to the critical federal resources they need to thrive,” said U.S. Senator Richard Durbin.
The GWRPC Mission is to serve the Greater Wabash District by providing local, regional, and comprehensive planning, facilitating knowledge enhancement, securing and administering funds and promoting cooperative solutions to regional issues. The seven counties in the GWRPC Economic Development District include: Crawford, Edwards, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White. Please visit their Web-site at www.gwrpc.com.
GWRPC Board of Directors Annual Meeting 2017
Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission Board of Directors held their annual dinner meeting on Thursday, March 23rd at Old Tyme Steakhaus in Olney. A progress report was given by the Executive Director, Sarah Mann, and the board elected new officers. 2017 officers elected were: Chairman: Joe Judge, Vice Chairman: Rob Anniss, Secretary: Scott Merkle, Treasurer: Randy Hallam. Dennis Turpin with the City of Albion was the guest speaker. Dennis spoke about the need for shared government services and how to utilize the Planning Commission for shared services. David Savage, Community Development Coordinator at GWRPC, also addressed the board and guests by detailing the USDA Stronger Economies Together Plan and future planned projects.
The Board Chairman, Charlotte St. Ledger was honored for 29 years of service to the GWRPC Board and 11 years as Chair. In addition, Jim Pfeister and Steve Hartsock were honored for their service as officers. The GWRPC mission is to serve the Greater Wabash District by providing local, regional, and comprehensive planning, facilitating knowledge enhancement, securing and administering funds and promoting cooperative solutions to regional issues. The seven counties in the GWRPC Economic Development District include: Crawford, Edwards, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White. Please visit their Web-site at www.gwrpc.com.
GWRPC Hires New Community Development Coordinator
Ms. Olivia Baumgardner has been hired as the new Community Development Coordinator by GWRPC. Her primary job responsibilities will include leading the area's ongoing community development orgainizations, and area businesses. Olivia graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a bachelor degree in communication studies with a specialization in public relations. She has exerience in public speaking and writing that will be vauable when serving our communities.
The GWRPC Mission is to serve the Greater Wabash District by providing local, regional, and comprehensive planning, facilitating knowledge enhancement, securing and admininistering funds and promoting cooperative solutions to regional issues. The seven counties in the GWRPC Economic Development District includes: Crawford, Edwards, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White.
Business and Education Symposium
On August 9, 2016, Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission, GWRPC, hosted a Business/Education Symposium at Carmi White County High School. The event was attended by the region’s K-12 superintendents and principals, community college Presidents and representatives, workforce development representatives, elected officials, economic development directors and many area business professionals. The event featured speakers on workforce topics such as: soft skills, life skills, the region’s workforce issues, and business/school partnerships. Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chairman, Chris Masingill, was the keynote speaker. Mr. Masingill spoke passionately about workforce issues in the Delta Region. In addition to Mr. Masingill, Jonathan Hallberg from Jefferson County Development in Mt. Vernon, IL spoke about the program that they are utilizing in the Mt. Vernon area called WorldClass Workforce. Stepheny McMahon presented the program, “No Job Left Behind” that has been implemented in Sullivan, IL. She brought Kurt Bunfill from AgriFab to talk about the work his company is doing with high school student internships as part of this program.
Many of the region’s businesses and educators have met since the symposium to discuss the region’s workforce issues. Some issued discussed have been: why do we have jobs that can’t be filled and why do we have people who can’t find jobs. GWRPC is hosting Partners in Employability, PIE, round table discussions at each of the local community colleges to discuss these question and what can to be done locally to address these issues.
GWRPC is proposing a different mindset to the region’s workforce issue. We want our population to stop declining. We want to keep our youth in the region. We want to fill employment positions that are in the region with quality employees. If you would like to be a part of this group, contact GWRPC today at 618- 445-3612 or sarahmann@gwrpc.com.
City of Carmi works with several Local, State, and Federal Agencies finished long awaited Indutrial Park West
After the flooding in 2011, the City of Carmi teamed up with Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission to apply for finding to build a new industrial park on the west side of Carmi. During the 2011 flood, it was clear that businesses needed space to develop outside of the floodplain. In 2013, Delta REgional Authority, Illinois Department of Transportation and the U.S. Economic Development Administration funded water, sewer and road improvements within the City of Carmi's Industrial Park West. The Industrial Park West started out with 12 acres available for development. The project included DRA, IDOT and U.S. DOC Economic Development Administration grant monies. Since the infrastructure development, there have been three businesses locate within the park, $1.5 million in private investment committed, as well the creation of 10 new jobs with the potential for creation of 20 more jobs within the next year.
The city had been without a hardware store for 8 to 10 years. Gillard's True Value Hardware was the first tenant with an inital investment of $420,000 and job creation of 10 new jobs. Taylor Eye Care was the second tenant to locate in the park. Projected construction and development investment is $705,865 with job retention of 6 jobs with anticipated job creation of 5 more new jobs. Construction is now underway and should be completed in the next 3-4 months, weather permitting. The Taco Factory Mexician Restaurant will be located at the corner of Falcon and Industrial. Construction is now beginning and should be completed in hte next 3-4 months, weather permitting. Construction and equipment costs are estimated at $408,000 with new job creation of 25 with an anticipated additional 10-15 jobs once the restaurant needs are realized. The entire project cnsisted of water and sewer lines, Lincoln Ave., Falcon Ave., and Industrial Ave. (a Truck Access Route from Hwy 1 to Hwy 14).