(WJBC file photo)
By Eric Stock
NORMAL – As local officials seek to find a buyer for the Mitsubishi Motors plans in Normal, the plant’s planned closure might actually help that area retain the economic incentives that help bring the auto plant to town three decades ago.
The area’s designation as a enterprise zone which covers parts of Bloomington-Normal, Gibson City and McLean and Ford counties is set to expire in 2016.
PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen’s interview with Ham on WJBC.
Kyle Ham, CEO of the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council, told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin, the state rejected an application to get that zone extended the first time before the plant announced plans to close.
“One of the checkoffs is having a closure of a major facility in the last year,” Ham said. “In round two of our enterprise zone, we were able to check that box off with Mitsubishi closing. “We are much more confident in our round two application.”
“It is a key part and we’ve expressed that to the governor’s office, and the (Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity) director that to be able to find a new user of the Mitsubishi site, the enterprise zone is a must.”
Ham said he expects the state will award 10 to 12 enterprise zones next year.
College town
A new survey ranks Bloomington-Normal as the third-best college town in the country. www.CollegeValuesOnline lists only Normal but sites the areas low crime and unemployment rates, reasonable cost of living and recreational opportunities. Ham said the community also benefits from the cooperation between the cities and schools.
“They just said we are going to work together,” Ham said. “We are going to in our plans in how we build out and how we support each other particularly livability for millennials.”
Three other Illinois cities made the top 25. Urbana was 24th, Evanston 17th and Carbondale 15th. Number two was Manhattan, Kansas. The top small college town was Laramie, Wyoming.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
