January 26, 2021
Dear GLCEDC Members & Friends:

On January 20, the GLCEDC held its election for the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. The GLCEDC welcomes our new directors, and appreciates their service to the organization.

In the last few months, the GLCEDC approved five building improvement grants to: Ehresman Holdings LLC, to update three buildings on the square in Pontiac; Market 59, creating a pop-up shop in Block 59 of downtown Pontiac; and Chenoa Pharmacy to update their newest Fairbury location. The GLCEDC also approved a Property Tax Abatement to Technical Metals in Fairbury and gained a new member, Ron Briscoe, Flagstar Bank.

The GLCEDC and Livingston County created a COVID Relief Stimulus Grant for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Please see below for further details and an application.

Best Regards,
Chief Executive Officer
GLCEDC Election
Following are the new members on the GLCEDC Board of Directors and Executive Committee:

Executive Committee
Chairman
Matt Vanderveen – Caterpillar
Vice Chairman
Ashley Ralph – State Bank of Graymont 
Secretary/Treasurer
Don Lambert – Village of Saunemin
Jason Bunting – Livingston County Board
Jimmie Lansford – Mayor, City of Streator
Jon Kilgore – Pontiac Township High School
Kevin McNamara – Village of Dwight
Mark DeKeersgieter – CIRBN
Mike McCoy – McCoy Construction
Terry Sullivan – Lyons Sullivan Realty
Ty Eshleman – The Farnsworth Group

Board of Directors
All Members of Executive Committee Plus:
Ann Adkins – Johnson Press of America
Bennie Hardin – Exact Packaging
Bernie Anderson – Nicor Gas
Bill Alvey – Mayor, City of Pontiac
Bob Kalebich – Republic Services
Bob Weller – Livingston County Board
Brad Gulliford – Selig Sealing
Brian Dukes – Pontiac School District #429
Brent Rush – Enbridge
Brian Wilkins – OSF Healthcare
Bruce Mustread – LSC Communications
Cathi Coppinger – Pontiac Area Chamber of Commerce (ex-officio)
Debra Karch – Dwight Economic Alliance (ex-officio)
David Slagel – Mayor, City of Fairbury
Dustin Smith – First Financial Bank
Jason Vanantwerp – Busey Bank
Jerry Hoffman – Technical Metals
Keith Cornille – Heartland Community College
Michael Blackwell – Dimond Bros.
Nick Hiltbrand – InsureChampaign
Ron Briscoe – Flagstar Bank
Ron Slagel – tdf Energy Services
Ryan McGuckin – Woodland CUSD #5
Sam Miceli – Vactor
Sandy Erschen – Manpower
Steven Mahrt – Ancel Glink
Troy Harms – Bank of Pontiac
Small Business Covid Relief Stimulus Grant
In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Livingston County and the GLCEDC have collectively created a COVID Relief Stimulus Grant funded by local resources. 

Please submit your application no later than February 26, 2021 to the Livingston County Board Office, 112 West Madison Street Pontiac, Illinois 61764 or [email protected]. Grant applications will be reviewed weekly and will be awarded on a first come first served basis. For questions concerning this application please contact GLCEDC Chief Executive Officer Adam Dontz at 815.842.2900 or Livingston County Executive Director Alina Hartley at 815.844.6378. 

Please visit the GLCEDC website to download the application or click here.
Market 59 Building Improvement Grant
The GLCEDC approved an $11,250 Building Improvement Grant to Market 59 in Pontiac to build a pop-up shop. The City of Pontiac anticipates the shops will attract new businesses and create excitement in the downtown area. 

Market 59, A New Retail Initiative
Applications are open NOW! The City of Pontiac recently launched a Facebook Page and are planning some virtual Q&A sessions. Keep an eye out on both the website and Facebook page and help them spread the word to potential business owners.

Do you have or do you know someone who has a passion or an idea for making, creating, or curating retail products? Maybe it’s time to test the waters! Market 59 is just the place before deciding to move into a storefront location. Market 59 is an innovative approach to complement our downtown shops, restaurants, and events. Click here for more information or to download an application. 
Ehresman Holdings, LLC Building Improvement Grants
Ehresman Holdings LLC was approved by the GLCEDC for three Building Improvement Grants of $6,250 each. Ehresman Holdings LLC purchased three downtown buildings located at: 109 and 117 West Madison Street and 315 North Mill Street in Pontiac. Grant funds will be used to replace the roofs on each building. 315 North Mill Street will become the corporate office for ATR with approximately 20 staff at the office building and the other two buildings will be used for retail and Air BNB.
Chenoa Pharmacy Building Improvement Grant
Chenoa Pharmacy was approved for an $11,250 Building Improvement Grant by the GLCEDC. Chenoa Pharmacy is expanding their business by purchasing a second location at 501 West Oak Street in Fairbury. Chenoa Pharmacy will use the grant funds to improve the interior and exterior of the building.
Technical Metals Property Tax Abatement
Technical Metals in Fairbury was approved for a seven-year property tax abatement by the GLCEDC, the City of Fairbury, Prairie Central CUSD #8 and Livingston County.
Technical Metals plans to expand their building 25,000 square feet, create 10 new full-time positions, and to invest over $3.25 million in building expansion and new equipment.

Visit our website to learn more information about property tax abatements in Livingston County.

Click here to learn more about Technical Metals.
New Member Flagstar Bank
The GLCEDC welcomes Mr. Ron Briscoe, Senior Loan Advisor, Flagstar Bank to the GLCEDC.

Click here if like to learn more about Flagstar Bank.

The GLCEDC and recipients of our grants recognize and greatly appreciate the sustained, generous support of Livingston County.