Monmouth

Deep Blue Innovators in Monmouth

Rich Egger — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 23:43:41 +0000

Rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, and hip hop all have their roots in the blues. Yet it seems as though the blues does not get its due. That will change – at least for a day – in Monmouth.

The Deep Blue Innovators Blues Festival begins Saturday afternoon at the Rivoli Theatre. The doors open at 2:00 and the music begins at 2:30. Ticket information can be found here.

Monmouth Wins Broadband Innovation Money

Rich Egger — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 16:42:44 +0000

Monmouth will receive $10,000 from the inaugural Illinois Broadband Innovation Fund. The state received 113 applications for the grant program. Just 14 winners were selected.

Monmouth Director of Community Development Paul Schuytema said his city was the only municipality chosen.

“That’s pretty exciting, and to be a municipality that’s not like Chicago but a little bitty town of 9,400 people in the cornfields, it’s a great honor,” Schuytema said. “We’re looking forward to delivering some good work and sharing it.”

Monmouth Lifts Ban on Video Gambling

James Lenz — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:12:02 +0000

Monmouth allowed the use of video gaming for “amusement purposes” only. That did not include gambling although the ordinance was difficult to enforce.

The discussion was prompted by changes to state law that will allow video gaming this year. The proceeds will help pay for capital improvements.

City Administrator Eric Hanson says the city council discussed keeping the ban in place.

Monmouth and Firefighters Ratify Contract

James Lenz — Thu, 24 May 2012 20:50:20 +0000

Monmouth's city council and the firefighters union each ratified the three-year contract by a unanimous vote.

Firefighters will receive a 2.5% pay raise each year of the deal.

The city and the union each wanted similar changes in the time-off policies. The city wanted to reduce overtime. The union wanted to reduce the likelihood firefighters would be called in on their days off.

City Administrator Eric Hanson said the major change was to vacation policy.

Developer Plans $2 Million Project in Monmouth

James Lenz — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:02:50 +0000

Six buildings on the southeast corner of Monmouth's town square will receive a $2 million facelift.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa developer Frantz-Hobart will turn the buildings into condominiums and retail space.

City Administrator Eric Hanson calls it “the biggest development project” in the downtown area in decades. He says it advances the city's vision for the downtown area.

Enterprise Zones in Illinois Near End

James Lenz — Tue, 01 May 2012 20:27:59 +0000

The legislation that established Enterprise Zones in Illinois was passed in the mid-1980s. Many are nearly at the end of their 30 year lifespan.

Enterprise zones abate the property taxes on improvements for up to 10 years. The zones also offer a state sales tax exemption on building materials that are purchased in the state and are used in an enterprise zone.

Monmouth Will Replace Troublesome Water Main

James Lenz — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:57:47 +0000

Monmouth will disrupt traffic downtown for about six weeks while it replaces an old water main.

The work will take place near the southeast corner of the town square. It will involve two-and-a-half blocks of blocks of South First Street and a block of First Avenue.

City Administrator Eric Hanson said the city has repaired leaks in the main many times. He said the renovations of several nearby buildings prompted the project.

Monmouth Building Chosen for Artist Studios

Rich Egger — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 23:56:42 +0000

After months of study, the Spurgeons building on South Main Street in Monmouth was selected to house artist studios and a retail shop to sell their work.

The choice was made by city representatives and members of ArtSpace, which is a non-profit arts development and consulting organization from Minneapolis.

The Spurgeons building has a limestone front and was built in 1940.

Monmouth Prepares for Higher Energy Costs

James Lenz — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:33:07 +0000

Monmouth residents often see a bright flare in the north part of town. It's a burner that keeps excess methane from building up at the city's waste water pre-treatment facility. Someday, it might produce electricity.

City Administrator Eric Hanson said the 15 year-old burner had to be replaced recently. He said the city has installed one that could be part of an energy-generating system.

Survey Goal is to Boost Economic Activity

James Lenz — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:47:52 +0000

Monmouth is a partner in a new survey that will provide a snapshot of the job skills of the workforce in western Illinois-and the the skills they might need.

Community Development Director Paul Schuytema said the survey has two goals. One is to provide a detailed picture of the area in light of the 2010 census data. He said any large firm looking at locating in the area will be concerned with the regional workforce instead of just that in one city. He said the second goal is to discover skill sets that are lacking in the region.