Paul Schuytema

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 Seeks More Inviting Downtown

James Lenz — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 17:46:20 +0000

Monmouth will use its broad sidewalks around the town square to make the area more inviting while offering an opportunity for business expansion.

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.

New Art Studio Will Create Opportunities Downtown

James Lenz — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 20:46:06 +0000

Monmouth wants to spur economic development in the downtown. Public meetings have shown residents would like to see a vigorous arts community develop downtown.

Community Development Director Paul Schuytema said the city will rehabilitate a building downtown into an art studio and gallery. The new project will create foot traffic and new business opportunities. He said the original plan was to offer artists studio and gallery space and apartments. A study showed that was not economically feasible.