DeWayne's World — 'Act as if you have faith ...'

Are you confident in the local economy?

I ask that based on what I heard last week from Ed Scharlau, vice-chairman of Busey Bank, during the Busey Bank Peoria Area Economic Seminar. There is positive news about the economy in the Tri-County Area. (See accompanying story on this page.)

“You can take pride in knowing that most other communities in the country would be envious of your local economy,” Scharlau said.

I ask that based on the fact that Bloomberg Business Week in May published a story titled, “Midwest Tops in Affordability and Life Quality.” In Illinois, Woodford County was listed as “Best Affordable Place in Illinois.”

I ask that because I cannot help but recall what former Peoria Mayor Jim Maloof did in the 80s when it looked like it was lights out for Peoria.

Maloof set about revamping the city’s image. He put it on the world stage. He courted media attention. He courted resident involvement. And, in the process, what he did was make people inside and outside the city believe in it again.

Is Woodford County capable of doing the same thing? Of course, it is.

Will it happen? That’s a big question waiting to be answered. It’s all about confidence.

The county’s mayors believe in the county. But, all is quiet on the Woodford Front.

Metamora Mayor Bill Belshaw said when it was announced that Woodford County is the best affordable place to live in the state that Woodford County, in general, and Metamora, in particular, is set apart.
“Our schools are very good. We have a low crime rate. We have one of the best nursing homes in the country. I’m very proud of that,” Belshaw said.   

Belshaw said once the economy rebounds that Metamora is prime for growth.

“I don’t know what anyone could say is lacking ... I think in due time you will see things grow between Metamora and Germantown Hills.”

Does that give you confidence?

Eureka Mayor Scott Punke said while he was a “bit surprised” Woodford County was listed as the best affordable place to live in Illinois, he should not have been.

“We have great amenities. We have a business park ready to go. We have probably more amenities — with a hospital, golf course, and college — than any community our size in Illinois,” Punke said.

“We’re working on our infrastructure to make Eureka more attractive to business. We’re trying to make ourselves as attractive as we can be.”

Does that instill confidence?

Germantown Hills Mayor Kenny Mitchell said he was not at all surprised by the Bloomberg Business Week announcement.

“Other collar counties around Woodford have higher tax rates in business and real estate taxes,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell said efforts to attract business should be shared by the village and county.

“I believe it’s both the village and county’s responsibility to encourage and attract new business to our community.  The effort benefits everyone,” he said.

“It is the responsibility of all municipalities to work collectively as well as internally to re-engage in actively pursuing new businesses in their locality.”

Mitchell is onto something important there.

I must also mention I love that Mitchell refers to Peoria, Tazewell and McLean counties as Woodford’s “collar counties.” That’s hubris. And, hubris is exactly what’s called for in the fight to grow Woodford County. Hubris comes from confidence.

Now retired MTHS Superintendent Ken Maurer said, “We need to use this. The county board and our citizens need to know what we have in Woodford County,” Maurer wrote in a letter to the Woodford Times.

“(W)e need to be encouraging business and industry to locate in Woodford County. We do that by making Woodford County and our municipalities as business friendly as we can and by making sure we have the infrastructure business and industry needs.”

Maurer was right on target.

John Ginder, president of Re/Max Unlimited in Peoria, and a Metamora resident, said if Woodford County needs to do anything it is to start exercising its bragging rights.

Ginder wondered how many in and outside of Woodford County were aware it had been declared “the best affordable place to live in Illinois.” That is a crucial question.

“A community needs to brag about it. They need to call attention to it,” Ginder said.

“They need to be out-going. They need to go after job creators. They need to promote small town living. There needs to be promotion of this area. Woodford County is thought of as an agricultural county. We need to be more pro-active,” Ginder said.

“Don’t hide our light under a bushel. We have a light. We’re too quiet a county.”  

There’s a saying that goes, “Act as if you have faith, and faith will be given to you.”

That is a sentiment that can be applied to the local economy. Do you have faith?