Wednesday, September 12, 2007 12:32 AM CDT
Our View: These days, attractive Arcola hums with optimism
By the JG/T-C Editorial Board
editorial@jg-tc.com
Arcola is on a roll.
The attractive little city, noted for its brick streets and elegant turn-of-the-century architecture, fine restaurants and shops, hums with economic activity.
Bordering Interstate 57 and tied to Amish country, Arcola projects an image of times gone by — good times when life was simpler and the air purer.
It’s a deception in appearance, though; this community thrives with energetic leaders, residents and business people, exuding optimism.
These days, optimism reigns. And for good reason. A number of economic developments reared in August and early September.
In mid-August the city council approved a proposal by partners Bob McElwee of Charleston and AF Holding Co. of Sullivan to begin work on The Green Mill Village.
The project calls for construction of a lodge, conference center, retail center, education center and restaurant. The environmentally friendly green village will be located on 100 acres near the I-57 exit. Work on the basic infrastructure is expected to commence by year’s end. Construction of the lodge and a service station should begin in the spring.
Particularly, good news came in August with the announcement the former Arcola IGA store would be reopened. Plans call for the facility to be upgraded and include produce and dairy sections, a fresh meat case, frozen foods, bakery and deli offering hot fare.
A development promising to attract travelers cruising I-57 is the reopening of the renovated Best Budget Inn. Purchased by Vintage Hospitality LLC, owner Bob Stevenson predicts a bright future for the hotel. “We do a lot of research before we buy a hotel and this has a lot of potential.”
The hotel’s attraction benefits the community. Best Budget Inn has 78 rooms; many of the travelers will no doubt take advantage of Arcola’s charms.
These developments come at a time when a steering committee headed by Arcola City Administrator Bill Wagoner launches its Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs’ MAPPING program to create a vision of the future.
Such planning, much in vogue, calls for Arcola residents to also implement a plan of action to translate vision into reality. “I’m impressed with the assets and resources of Arcola,” said Frank Antonucci, economic development specialist with the Institute of Rural Affairs. “I see Arcola as being a community that has strong assets.”
Assets and strong sense of community attracted the attention of another far-sighted local entity. Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System and the city broke ground early this month at the site of a new clinic near the high school. The 6,000-square-foot, $1.6-million clinic will house Dr. Brent Miller’s practice.
The clinic will feature bigger rooms for lab work, an X-ray department and newer equipment. It will, in short, provide one more reason for Arcola residents to stay local as well as providing another incentive for people to settle.
What benefits Arcola also benefits the area. All economic development in our ring of communities prospers from the fortune of counterparts.
In a sense, we are all working together to make East Central Illinois a better place in which to live, raise a family and do business.
Congratulations, Arcola.
— JG/T-C Editorial Board
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