The village of North Lewisburg has a new economic development partner.
At a meeting Tuesday night, the village council was greeted by Marcia Bailey, the economic development director for the Champaign Economic Partnership (CEP). She talked about how the CEP, through the Champaign County Community Improvement Corporation (CIC), can help advertise the progress and success of North Lewisburg to other parts of the country through cooperation with the West Central Ohio Development Coalition.
“We try to go to all villages, communities, meetings, and all of those kinds of things to market Champaign County as a whole, from business development to education,” Bailey said.
She said this marketing would make sure people know “where Champaign County is at” and show how many jobs and other resources the county has.
She said this initiative is also a way for people to make sure what is going on in the county.
“Champaign County is just as important as anywhere else,” Bailey said.
The council agreed to enter into an agreement to have the county CIC be the economic development partner for the village for the purpose of increasing the general welfare of and promoting the village. This includes the village acknowledging the county CIC can borrow money, purchase property and issue bonds for economic development purposes.
Through the agreement, in order to be a part of this initiative, the village will pay the county CIC $2,000 a year, with this year’s remaining charge being $500.
Also at the meeting, Mayor Cheryl Hollingsworth said the village has entered into contracts for the 2018 Ohio Public Works Commission Street Paving Project.
She said this project will be using funds from a $300,000 grant and a $93,300 zero interest loan to repair some streets within the village. She said these streets include Townsend, Winder, West Elm and Young streets, as well as Dooley Drive, Lincoln Place, Curtis Drive and the remainder of South Sycamore Street.
Hollingsworth said last year the project included paving East Elm and East streets, as well as the first part of South Sycamore Street, Lloyd Drive and Abbey Lane.
The council also approved of amending the 2018 budget to add $52,964.75 to the general fund.
“This is to cover some expenses we didn’t necessarily have budgeted but we overbudgeted in those areas,” fiscal officer Jennifer McCombs said.
Also covered at the meeting:
-The council approved of Constitution Week has been declared to take place from Sept. 17 to 23.
-Scrap tire day, where residents can drop off their worn tires for free, will be held Sept. 22.
-Community yard sales will be held Sept. 22 and 23, and will coincide with the Union County Bridge Festival.
The next meeting will be held Sept. 11.