Community News
MEDP explains their business plan to Rotary
Helped over 17 businesses in 2011 with funding
The Benld Area Rotary met for a regular luncheon this week and was enlightened by Shari Albrecht. Albrecht informed the Rotary of different plans in store by MEDP to help grow business in Macoupin County.
“Despite our economy, 2011 was a productive year for Macoupin County,” Albrecht started, “Our businesses met the challenges that the economy brought and we had quite a few businesses upgrade their facilities and services which in turn added jobs.”
Some of the businesses Albrecht spoke of that expanded were Carmak, Madison Communications, Carlinville Area Hospital, and TDS Transport. With the good and the bad, Macoupin County also lost a few old friends like H&H Construction in Carlinville.
2011 was also a productive year for MEDP. According to Albrecht, the team was able to work with the City of Carlinville to design the first ever business park. “We plan to move to other parts of the county and create similar partnerships,” Albrecht explained. Along with the park, MEDP was also able to make an impact with the Build Macoupin County as they received $75,000 with state funding.
MEDP was to assist small business owners with energy efficient upgrades with the state funding. They were able to assist 17 small business owners and the projects totaled over $188,000. In addition, it provided work for local contractors.
Last year MEDP held quarterly workshops to emphasize on marketing. The BenGil Post was the main partner as The BenGil Post’s sister site is launching in early April. Shop BenGil will be an online virtual mall where consumers will be able to shop their favorite stores 24 hours a day. The stores included will be any brick and mortar store in Benld or Gillespie as well as any at-home business.
In the last six weeks, MEDP was able to work with an architectural firm out of Springfield from the help of a $7,000 grant. The firm is working on a street scape plan for Central Avenue which will be unveiled by the end of the summer. This project has been managed by both Build Benld and MEDP.
Now for the 2012, MEDP is focusing on business development and bringing entrepreneurship to Macoupin County. “Our goal this year is to bring business to Macoupin County,” Albrecht stated. Albrecht unveiled the new business development program which is intended to provide services for businesses at all stages whether the business is currently getting on their feet, trying to find customers, replacing the business strategy, or even moving to the business district in their own city.
The core services MEDP will offer include business marketing, business district development, networking, access to capital, tax increment financing, and education. All services are provided to businesses whether they are a member of MEDP or not.
Business start-up by MEDP is encouraging businesses to start off on the right track. The entrepreneur comes to Shari Albrecht or a banker and explains their business idea. The group will then tweak the plan and make sure it is perfected before applying for loans. “We want to get their business up and going and eventually into store fronts,” Courtney Wood, assistant, explained.
For entrepreneurs that do not know where to get started, they join Macoupin Made which is another program under MEDP conducted by Wood and Albrecht. It is cooperative advertising, print advertising, facebook advertising, and events so business owners can sell their products. Along with all that, the business becomes ranked at the bronze level with MEDP.
“So often I get a phone call that someone wants to open a business,” Albrecht explained, “Mentoring and business startup are the most important things for success for these individuals.” Albrecht went on to say that the business has to have a business plan as well as marketing ideas. MEDP will help get the entrepreneur on the right foot with the tough challenge with the free services they offer.
After the startup, MEDP stresses the importance of staying on the right track to success. “We will never leave them,” Albrecht explained, “We help them face the challenges of emerging their business.” The pair went on to explain the importance of getting online and having an ecommerce website which is something Shop BenGil will bring to the community.
“We are very excited to be working with TJ Allan and his staff to bring Shop BenGil to the community,” Albrecht stated, “It is going to be groundbreaking! There is no community in the State of Illinois that has this feature.” Consumers will be able to shop their local businesses online just like they shop on Amazon or eBay. The products will be Macoupin made.
New this year for MEDP, they have the ability to map downtown business districts. “Thanks to the new technology and Courtney’s talent, we can map the downtowns and include who owns which business as well as include a phone number or email address to contact the owner.” The new program also indicates which buildings are vacant and available to rent.
This helps MEDP find a ‘home’ for a new business as they can find the perfect building for whatever the business might be. As of March, the City of Staunton is already complete and MEDP is working on the downtown of Build, Gillespie, and Carlinville. MEDP will essentially serve as a resource to help get store fronts occupied and growing.
In June, MEDP will have their second annual dinner. The caterer will, of course, be local. The event will be on June 14th and is a great time to network with business leaders and community leaders. “Also, it is the only fundraiser for MEDP throughout the entire year,” Albrecht closed.
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FELONIES
Jamie L. Whitford, 49 of Alton, is charged with violation of an order of protection in connection with an August 17 incident.
Sarah J. Crays, 39 of Virden, is charged with aggravated fleeing/damage to property (>$300), aggravated fleeing police/21 mph over the limit, and driving on a suspended license in connection with an August 18 incident.
Eric J. Trump, 33 of Carlinville, is charged with aggravated battery/great bodily harm in connection with an August 17 incident.
Henry D. Wilson, 37 of Mt. Olive, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with an August 19 incident.
Nicholas A. Williams, 31 of Staunton, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with a May 19 incident.
Holly A. Messerly, 38 of Bunker Hill, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams)in connection with a May 5 incident.
Garret A. Brown, 22 of Springfield, is charged with aggravated battery/peace officer, criminal damage to government property (<$500), possession of a controlled substance, driving under the influence of alcohol, and canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with an August 19 incident.
Andrew K. Ridens, 36 of Staunton, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams), driving on a revoked license, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a July 21 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Tarina S. Slaughter, 46 of Girard, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee in connection with an August 17 incident.
Joseph W. Reiniesch, 40 of Gillespie, is charged with aggravated assault/public property in connection with an August 16 incident.
TRAFFIC
Dallis E. Houseman, 56 of Modesto, is charged with drivers license expired more than a year and failure to obey police officer in connection with an August 18 incident.
Jameson E. Anderson, 35 of Shipman, is charged with improper use of registration/title, unlicensed, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an August 11 incident.
Jordan A. Abner, 18 of Godfrey, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with an August 13 incident.
Amanda R. Bianco, 44 of Staunton, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with an August 7 incident.
Hunter J. Kapp, 18 of Highland, is charged with speeding 35+ mph over the limit in connection with an August 15 incident.
Adam L. Bray, 43 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a revoked license, canceled/revoked/suspended registration, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an August 16 incident.
Kaelan N. Ramos, 34 of Shiloh, is charged with speeding 35+ mph over the limit and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an August 15 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Justin Robert Bickel versus Melissa Ann Bickel
- Jennifer Miller versus Matthew Miller
- Ryan T. Bloomfield versus Cheyenne M. Bloomfield
- Angela K. Greenwalt versus Jay A. Greenwalt
- Val Leffers versus Karen Leffers
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Jeremy Wayne Pride and Brandi Marie Hatzel, both of Shipman
- Jacob Patrick Millard and Jenna Frances Wernsing, both of Carlinville
- Dustin Eugene Bauman and Miriam Susan Jenkins, both of Virden
- Jeremy Dale Canoy and Samantha Elaine Goyke, both of Girard
- Bryan Edward Woodward and Jake Marie Cain, both of Shipman
- Glen Alexander Mcelyea and Candice Dawn Herin, both of Shipman
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FELONIES
Jacob R. Morgan, 38 of Staunton, is charged with burglary and theft/control/intent ($500<10k) in connection with a July 28 incident.
TRAFFIC
Justin C. Grider, 41 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an August 14 incident.
Chynasyl B. Chynybaev, 38 of Kent, WA, is charged with CDL not obtained and no fee paid/over registration weight in connection with an August 20 incident.
Clinton D. Coleman, 34 of Springfield, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an August 22 incident.
Gary L. Cunningham, 61 of Staunton, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an August 23 incident.
Christopher J. Moreland, 38 of Staunton, is charged with DL expired more than a year, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and driving/operating a non-highway vehicle.
Matthew W. Stoops, 32 of Bunker Hill, is charged with DL expired more than a year and no valid registration in connection with an August 19 incident.
Jordan T. Trimm, 33 of Benld, is charged with improper use of registration/title, unlicensed, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
Cole Y. Waugh, 41 of Gillespie, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an August 16 incident.
Jessie J. Waugh, 44 of Gillespie, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an August 15 incident.
Austin D. Guiliacci, 25 of Staunton, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with an August 20 incident.
Matthew D. Knick, 20 of Mount Olive, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an August 25 incident.
Kirstain S. Harris, 29 of Memphis, TN, is charged with driving on a suspended license and speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with an August 24 incident.
Devin Berry, 36 of Blue Island, is charged with driving on a suspended license and driving 15-20 mph above the limit in connection with an August 24 incident.
Rudolph H. Jackson, 60 of Gillespie, is charged with driving on a revoked license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and no valid registration in connection with an August 24 incident.
Sean M. Rogerson, 50 of Palmyra, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with an August 27 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Peggy Wells versus Jason E. Wells
- Cheri Woodson versus Alan Woodson
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Community News
Football, parade, and GHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction highlight Gillespie homecoming
A football game pitting the Gillespie Miners against the Staunton Bulldogs, a parade and the second annual induction ceremony for newly named members of the Gillespie High School Athletic Hall of Fame will highlight Homecoming next month.
The theme of this year’s celebration is The Roaring Twenties.
The parade will kick off on South Macoupin Street at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25. The parade will march to the high school where a pep rally is scheduled for 7 p.m., followed by the coronation of the Homecoming King and Queen at 7:15 p.m. There will be a Powder Puff Game/Cheer Section competition at 7:30 p.m., also on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
There will be a meet and greet with newly named members of the Athletic Hall of Fame at 6 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27, followed by the Homecoming football game at 7 p.m. Hall of Fame inductees include Mike Viano, Jack Genet, Dennis Best, Barbella Magus, Sam Stewart, William & Florence Schmidt and Family, and Deb Olson and the ’93, ’94 and ’95 GHS softball teams. New members will be inducted during a 2 p.m. reception on Sunday, Sept. 29, in the high school gym.
The annual Homecoming dance is set for 7-9 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28 at the high school gym.
For GHS students, Homecoming activities will start well in advance of the Homecoming weekend festivities. Students from all four high school classes will work on building parade floats from 6-9 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 19, Monday, Sept. 23, and Tuesday, Sept. 24. Students will decorate hallways for Homecoming from 3-5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 20, and 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Saturday, Sept 21.
Monday, Sept. 23 will kick off a week of “dress-up” days for students. For Monday, the theme is Boas and Bowties. Tuesday, Sept. 24 will feature Glitz and Glitter. Wednesday, Sept. 25 is Rhyme Without Reason Day, and Thursday, Sept. 26, will feature Gangsters vs. Flappers. The dress-up theme for Friday, Sept. 27 will be School Spirit.
In addition to Wednesday’s pep rally following the parade, there will be a game-day pep rally at 1:15 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27.
