Flood Prevention Council Staffs Up, But Faces Funding Challenge

The recently formed Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention District Council has hired Lester Sterman, the long-time executive director of the East-West Gateway Council of Governments, to serve as its chief supervisor of construction and works. While the addition of this veteran administrator increases the Council's odds for success, the effort faces huge financial challenges.

About 35 percent of the funding for the levee repairs was expected to come from the new quarter-cent sales tax that has been being collected in Madison, St. Clair, and Monroe counties since January 1st. The rest--about 65 percent--was expected to come from the federal government; unfortunately, the economic recession has hurt collection of the new sales tax revenues, while reports indicate an unwillingness for the federal government to provide its anticipated share.

Jim Pennekamp, special assistant to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's chancellor for regional economic development and executive director of University Park as well as chairman of the Madison County Flood Prevention District, serves as president for the Council. Dan Maher, director of administration for St. Clair County and chair of the St. Clair County Flood Prevention District, serves as vice president of the Council. John Conrad, editor and publisher of the Monroe County Independent and chair of the Monroe County Flood Prevention District, serves as secretary/treasurer. Two additional commissioners from each county round out the nine-member Council.

City Launches New Blog: Playing Around Columbia

In April, the City of Columbia joined the National Campaign for Play (organized by a national organization with the remarkably playful name of KaBOOM!). This movement has begun to combat such social ills as childhood obesity, attention deficit disorder and violence among our nation’s children.

At that time, the Columbia City Council adopted Resolution 13-2008, endorsing the Playful City USA campaign and committing the City’s support to that effort; they also began assembling a list of likely candidates for the Play Commission, the community-based group that will be tasked with making this city-wide commitment to play a real accomplishment. On May 19th, the Play Commission was officially created with adoption of Resolution 02-2009.

The Play Commission will soon be hard at work finalizing its action plan, and the City has launched a new blog, Playing Around Columbia, to chronicle its achievements.

Miller Fiege Home Open This Wednesday

The Columbia Heritage and Preservation Commission (CHPC) welcomes the public to an open house at the Miller-Fiege Home this Wednesday from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

The open house is being held partly to inform the public of the City of Columbia’s intent to designate this home as a local historic landmark, which has been recommended by CHPC. Comments about this proposed action may be shared during the open house or submited in writing at City Hall no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26th. CHPC has also planned this event as a celebration of the building, the families who have lived here, and Columbia’s heritage in general.

This home was built in 1850 adjacent to a blacksmith shop run by P.W. Miller (the shop was located approximately where The Medicine Shoppe stands today). The shutters on the home, iron fence surrounding it, and the pump out back all date from this period. Miller purchased the house in 1857, and it remained in his family’s hands until the death of his descendent, Winnifred Fiege, last year; subsequently, the City of Columbia purchased the home and its many antiques, and the home is now being prepared as a historical museum for the whole community to enjoy.

All Greek To See...And Hear

Those who love cool jazz should mark their calendars for Saturday evening, August 1st--that's when Perry Danos and his 10-piece orchestra will perform a live dinner show here in Columbia.

Danos will visit Columbia as part of a breakout tour promoting his new album, "Swingin' on the Moon", from Grand Vista Music. He will make his only St. Louis area appearance at The Falls Reception & Conference Center, and packages are available that include dinner and even overnight accommodations at the new Hampton Inn.

Danos is an up-and-coming Chicagoan of Greek descent who blends the smoothness of Tony Bennett with the heart-on-his-sleeve grit of Rod Stewart. Moving interpretations of some of his own favorites, such as "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "The Long and Winding Road," and "Lately," are new and exciting renditions of some of the world's best -loved classics from the great American songbook.

The concert is sponsored by The Falls, the Hampton Inn Columbia, and the City of Columbia as part of an ongoing initiative to boost visits to this city.

Put the World in Your Palm May 13th

If Facebook were a country, it would be the the eighth largest in the world. Large-scale adoption of social media and the use of other new technology is impacting your small business, whether you choose to participate or not. With the current economic downturn, can you afford not to keep an open mind about the chance to receive more visibility, more referrals, and a new avenue for sales?

Gain a business perspective on new technologies and learn how to leverage one of the most powerful marketing opportunities ever invented—all for free. Technology 101: New Strategies to Market Your Business will be held May 13th from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at the Monroe County YMCA - HTC Center. The Monroe County Economic Development Council, in partnership with HTC - Harrisonville Telephone Company, will be hosting this workshop as part of the Think Monroe County First! campaign.

Whether you are proficient in current technologies or just want an entry level introduction to technology, this workshop is for you! Any business with a physical location in Monroe County is invited to attend with participation limited to two (2) individuals. There is no cost to attend and light refreshments will be served. In order to attend, you must RSVP by May 8th to Nora Feuquay, U of I Extension - Monroe County Community and Economic Development Educator, at 618-939-3434.

Mid-Sized, Mid-West Cities Weathering Downturn Best

As banks pull back on risk-taking across the nation, consumer lending is rising in places like Columbia. Many midsize cities are outperforming their larger counterparts, owing to more disciplined economic development strategies in those cities, more diverse employment and lower costs.

States in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain West are experiencing either mild recessions or none at all. Lingering effects of high commodities prices have helped, but the lack of a real estate boom may be the more important factor.

Columbia may be able to learn from Germany, where the Mittelstand (small- and mid-sized enterprises) are acting as a shock absorber against the economic smash-up. Firms with up to nine employees are the backbone of the German economy, making up 93 percent of the country's 1.6 million enterprises. While small and middle-sized firms hire two-thirds of new employees--an even greater percentage than in the US and Britain--the Mittelstand has avoided large-scale layoffs so far.

Playing Through the Downturn

Quality of life is becoming increasingly recognized as integral to local economic development, so it should be no surprise that communities are seeking to boost their appeal to potential new businesses by improving local assets like parks and playgrounds. Columbia is one community that hopes to leverage its better-than-average quality of life as an economic incentive.

That's why Columbia may seek designation as a Playful City USA community, signifying commitment to a national recognition program honoring cities and towns across the nation taking action for play. By ensuring the prominence of play in the community's agenda, members of the City Council hope local citizens will reap the benefits that result from happier, smarter and healthier children as well as stronger communities--one of them being more active consideration as a business location.

In addition, designated Playful City USA communities will:

• Receive highway signs, awards and special incentive opportunities in honor of the Playful City USA status;
• Be included in a national media campaign and be provided local media support receive priority status in accessing resources including playground builds, trainings, and grants opportunities;
• Be given access to online resources and communication vehicles to keep them connected to Playful City USA communities nationwide;
• Receive recognition at national municipal leadership and recreation conferences.

Communities become Playful City USA communities by meeting five commitments:

1. Creating a local play commission;
2. Designing an annual action plan for play;
3. Conducting a playspace audit of all publicly accessible play areas;
4. Identifying current spending on capital projects and maintenance of playspaces;
5. Proclaiming and celebrating an annual KaBOOM! Play Day in September.