Area receives economic development award from Gov. Ryan

Charleston, Mattoon and Coles County received an economic development award Wednesday from the state in honor of the hundreds of volunteers who participated in the local government coordinated planning effort.

The economic development Award was presented during the Governor's Hometown Award Ceremony held at the Springfield Hilton. It honored the coordinated efforts that created a comprehensive for plan for Charleston, as well as a strategic plan for Mattoon and Coles County.

The award was presented in the category of communities with a population of 29,00 to 49,999. Charleston, Mattoon and Coles County were the only finalists for the economic development award in population category.

"I'm excited, this is great," said Mattoon Mayor Wanda Ferguson after receiving award. Ferguson cited award as an example of what the three local governments can accomplish if they all together. She said they should continue to work together.

"I want to say thanks to all the volunteers who made this possible," Ferguson said.

Gov. George Ryan praised the work of volunteers throughout the state during his address to the more than 700 people who attended the ceremony.

Ryan said volunteers make their communities better places to live and provide free services that reduce costs to taxpayers.

Charleston, Mattoon and Coles County received a plaque and a set of road signs as part of the economic development award. Ferguson said these signs will be placed at the major entrances into Charleston and Mattoon.

The Charleston City Council approved its comprehensive plan on Dec. 7, the Coles County Board approved its strategic plan on April 11 and the Mattoon City Council approved its strategic plan on April 27.

All three local governments hired the planning firm Pflum, Klausmeier and Gehrum of Indianapolis to coordinate the development of the plans.

The plans were developed through the work of local officials and steering committees, as well as the input of hundreds of residents who attended public hearings.

All three plans present goals for the next few decades in areas such as beautification, economic development, education, infrastructure and facilities, intergovernmental cooperation, land use, parks and open spaces, and transportation.

Local officials can use the plans to guide their work but are not required to implement all the goals in the plans.

Strategic plans present general goals, while comprehensive plans take the outline of strategic plans and add details and actions items.

Mattoon and Coles County may pursue the creation of comprehensive plans. Charleston has a strategic plan known a Charleston Tomorrow Plan.

A group of about 20 from County attended the awards ceremony. This group included Charleston Mayor Dan Cougill, Ferguson and County Board chairman Tim Yow.

Pictured from left to right: Carl Ferguson, husband of Mattoon Mayor Wanda Ferguson; JoAnn Homann of the Mattoon Arts Council; Doug McDermand, executive director of the Coles County Regional Planning and Development Commission; Cindy Titus, executive director of the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce; Denny Burrell, associate director of Coles together; Brenda Yager, deputy director of the Bureau of Community development in the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs; Gary Boske, a vice president with First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust; Dan Cougill; Steve Pamperin, a county planner; Wanda Ferguson, Jeanne Gustafson, executive director of Coles Together; Bill Riebe, Charleston city manager; Tim Yow; Janet Meyer, exectutuve director of the Mattoon Chamber of Commerce; Jill Nilsen, Eastern Illinois University’s vice president for external communications; Joyce Madigan, president of Coles Together; Donnagene Quivey of the Charleston Community Center Committee.

Used with permission from Mid-Illinois Newspapers
Publishers of the Mattoon Journal Gazette and the Charleston Times-Courier

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Coles Together
400 Airport Road
Mattoon, Illinois 61938
(217) 258-5627 FAX (217) 235-9492