Streator council joins North Central Illinois Economic Development Corporation

The Streator City Council said yes to joining the North Central Illinois Economic Development Corporation.

Streator’s entry fee is $17,064.

City Manager David Plyman recommended the city join the group, which serves La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties, to improve its economic development promotional capabilities. The city already participates in the Greater Livingston County Economic Development Council, which is a similar organization focused more on the region to Streator’s south. That group proved instrumental in the Vactor Manufacturing expansion.

Of the North Central Illinois group, Plyman said he invited the group’s director Mike Kirchhoff to Streator for lunch a few months ago and learned about the organization. Plyman said he continued conversation with Kirchhoff over the phone regarding economic development issues and how the organization could help Streator.

The North Central Illinois Group markets local advantages for possible business investments. It was founded in 2016 by business leaders and local officials and is supported by hundreds of investors.

The council was hopeful it would have a representative sit on the board of directors for the group, so that it could weigh in on the group’s initiatives. Plyman believed that would be the case.

The city’s membership kicks in June 1.

In other items:

• The City Council approved a $15,000 facade grant for God’s Will, 217 E. Main St.
• The City Council approved the extension of the city’s facade grant program to areas outside of the downtown, with those areas receiving funds after July 1.
• The City Council agreed to hire Lauterbach & Amen for professional accounting services for $52,740.