By Adam Studzinski
BLOOMINGTON – McLean County’s leaders had a chance to speak on the needs of the county at Thursday morning’s annual State of McLean County.
Most leaders believed infrastructure is one of the major challenges facing the county. County Board Chairman Matt Sorenson said the area’s infrastructure is showing its age and more funding is probably needed.
“There are many people that would suggest that you fix this by just raising the motor fuel tax,” said Sorenson. “I’m certainly not going to stand up here and start beating the podium about raising the motor fuel tax, but it may be the only short term solution.”
Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner said he’s preparing to ask the city council to take out a $20-plus million bond to help put a dent in the city’s backlog of infrastructure needs.
“That’s to be paid for by the earmarked revenue from the sales tax for streets and street resurfacing,” said Renner. “That’s necessary and that will begin to make a huge difference.
“We’re also pursuing the Hamilton Road extension that will connect (State Farm) corporate south, in a sense, on a four lane highway to the interstates.”
Officials also spoke to the importance of economic growth.
“If we as a community don’t step up and address our stagnating economy, we stand to lose ground to other areas of the country and the world who are aggressively seeking investments in their community,” Normal Mayor Chris Koos said.
Koos explained that’s why his town is putting part of the revenue from the recent sales tax increase towards economic development.
Renner said the opening of the Route 66 Visitor’s Center and Hy-Vee have provided a boost, but more is still needed. He believed property acquisition could be a way to continue to create growth.
“If we can take something, an area that has either been dilapidated or sitting, and turn it into an engine of economic growth – a destination – as opposed to a rental for garages or something, we need to do that,” Renner said.
Thursday’s event was hosted by the McLean County Chamber of Commerce on Illinois Wesleyan University’s campus.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].
