CIC—
Fourteen
members and guests attended the April 18 meeting of the New London Community
Improvement Corporation at Firelands Electric Cooperative, with the Coop.
providing lunch.
President
Dar Anderson opened the meeting, and the secretary’s report was approved. Treasurer Theresa Smith reported $2,072.70 in
checking, $2,789.13 in savings, $6,081.42 in CDs and $385,369.52 in the
Revolving Loan Fund. She said we now
have 47 members.
Steve Von Behren said the Board of Trustees recommended we not
sponsor a Little League team. Darlene
Witter made a motion and Steve seconded it that we sell popcorn for the
Firemen’s Convention in front of The Record office June 18. Motion passed.
Vicki Missler made a motion and Myrt
Anderson seconded it that the Marketing Committee move forward with plans for
the business directory and sell advertising to help defray the cost, with
members getting a discounted rate.
Motion passed. Eric Rankine said we should check into paying for the directory
out of Revolving Loan Fund money.
Various
community projects were discussed, including a tot playground for the
Dar
presented a membership plaque to Darlene Witter of Fitchville
River Realty.
Steve was
thanked for preparing magnets and a banner for the Health Fair.
John Noss introduced Dennis Mingyar,
the Director of Economic Development for Buckeye Power, as the speaker, and he
discussed economic development for small towns and gave everyone a copy of the
book Boomtown USA: Keys to Success in Small Towns.
He said
small towns have many advantages in attracting business, but a community needs
a “brand,”—something that makes the area special. He said development takes take, and it is a
continuing process, and he suggested we hold an open forum where we invite
business owners to a meeting and ask them what issues they are concerned with.
Eric
discussed some of the problems he has encountered as a business developer and
owner in the village.
Ellen
Simmons
Secretary