Alliance Working on Residential Development Site

With all Effingham has going for it, the one major concern is having a sufficient workforce to staff local businesses and industries. Many people working in Effingham are commuting from a half-hour away or more. Some of those workers say they'd like to live here and avoid the commute, but they can't find a place to live.

The Effingham Regional Growth Alliance is working to develop a site on Effingham's south end for residential development.

Alliance Director Craig Nielson talked about the project at Tuesday's Effingham County Economic Development Board meeting. Nielson said the Alliance has put some land under contract to be developed with residences. He said just over 50 lots would be created on land now owned by Billy and Florence Genaust along the Airport Road. The only parcel not included would be retained by the Genausts as their homesite.

Nielson acknowledged that the project would have to gain City approval to move forward, but said that is being addressed.

Nielson also talked about the residential project underway in Dieterich where the four property owners would assist one another in building their homes. He said four candidates have been identified for the sites, and said that should allow the project to move ahead.

Effingham Mayor Jeff Bloemker was also on hand and noted that the City Council was scheduled to address the needs of Village Square Mall. On the Council agenda tonight is authorization allowing City staff to help "nudge" the mall owner toward completing the items needing corrected.

The Mayor also noted that the Council is to address a traffic study tonight on Keller Drive, and said the City is also working on ways to increase activity at the North US 45 interchange.

The Economic Development committee also heard from member Larry Taylor that the Altamont City Council is discussing applying for  a grant to develop solar energy that could serve as a backup energy supply for Altamont.