The September Meeting was held at Maple Lawn Homes with 12 in attendance including our featured speaker, Jolene Jamison from the Woodford County Farm Bureau. Nancy Scott introduced Karen Smith who is the new marketing/public relations person at Eureka Public Library. The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m. The minutes of the last meeting were accepted for filing. Treasury balance as of August 31, 2006 is $7,784.32
Committee Reports:
Reagan Fest - Donna Sweeney reported on the Reagan Fest, which for the first time in recent memory was cancelled due to weather. We made approx. $2000.00. The vendor contacts were non-refundable. However, to try and retain them, we are offering coupons for $5 off per booth space for next year. Donna did some preliminary research on an alternative rain site for next year. The high school would be willing to have us. There would be a fee. She stated that the chair for next year could further explore and decide.
Taste of Eureka – Heidi Bowman reported that 19 businesses participated and 256 tickets were sold. The EBA made approx. $1000.00. Ticket sales appear to be dwindling each year. It was suggested that we explore other possibilities for next year or try to come up with ways to bring some excitement to the event.
Donna and Heidi should both be commended for their efforts on these projects.
Economic Development Council - No Report.
City - Jim Meares was present for the city. They are waiting on paperwork from IDOT to precede with the left turn lanes west of town. They hope to have it by the end of the week. The project can be complete in one month if weather permits. Trees will be planted on the SE corner of the intersection with IDOT’s permission. John Getz will be planting the other trees on Main St. Local Artist Peg Toliver did the art work on the new banners. Jim had one to show the association. There are some cosmetic changes to the city website. The city is looking for a variety of community members to contribute. CDAP grant for water project has been received in the amount of $264,820. The City of Eureka and Eureka College have partnered in an ad for the Peoria Economic Development book
Old Business – Christmas with Santa – Vada Schertz chaired this last year. It was successful. There were some concerns raised last year about the location of the event. John Greene countered that it was an EBA sponsored event.
Business Spotlight – Jolene Jamison from the Woodford County Farm Bureau was our monthly business spotlight. Jolene answers to the 13 member board. They set policies and she carries them out. This is a lobbyist organization that promotes agriculture. The Farm Bureau was started in Illinois in Dekalb in 1913 and in Woodford County in 1915. Farm Bureau is also affiliated with County Insurance and Evergreen FS. It is no longer affiliated with Cooperative Extension. She explained what her job entails and what Farm Bureau does for their members. She also talked about the Farm Bureau Park South of town and their plans for a new building.
New Business – None to report.
