County Economic Opportunity Committee Hears from The Alliance

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Published on March 6 2018 2:44 pm
Last Updated on March 6 2018 2:47 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

Craig Nielson, who heads the economic development group known as The Alliance, was a guest at Tuesday's meeting of the Effingham County Economic Development Advisory Board.

(CRAIG NIELSON)

Nielson discussed a possible increase in filing fees as a revenue source. He said the revenue could be a pool of funds for scholarships to train the workforce for skills needed in local business and industry, or for other development efforts.

Nielson suggested raising recording fees by $15. Committee members Dave Campbell and Rob Arnold, who are on the Effingham County Board, noted that County Clerk and Recorder Kerry Hirtzel has suggested a review of all fees to determine where they should be set.

Nielson also discussed other Alliance initiatives, including a self-help housing program where those involved would help each other in the construction of their homes. He also reminded of efforts to getting a coding program established through Lake Land College, and mentioned he's in the process of sending out letters to anyone who owns 30 to 40 acres of ground that could serve as a business or industrial site. 

The committee also briefly discussed county zoning and its pros and cons. Pros were that there would be better understanding as to what could be located where. Cons were the belief that a person should be able to decide how best to use their land. Campbell said he is taking a tentative look at the subject. When one person suggested they are "sticking their toe into the water" on the subject, another person jokingly wondered whether they got all of their toes back?