TMCnet News
Prison task force aims to prepare, sell communities' strengths [Clinton Herald, Iowa](Clinton Herald (IA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Sept. 16--CLINTON -- More than a decade has passed and what the Gateway and surrounding areas once considered the development of a lifetime has provided little to zero long-term economic fortitude to the region -- until now. When the federal government in 2012 purchased the Administrative United States Penitentiary in Thomson, Illinois, built in 2001, it brought with it another surge of potential to Northwest Illinois and Eastern Iowa that fizzled after years of inactivity. However, when the federal government announced this year that $54 million has been allocated to activate the vacant facility, those positive affirmations returned. And in the wake of the Federal Bureau of Prisons' hiring of a prison warden, the region is finally gearing up for that development of a lifetime. To prepare for when that day arrives, the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce has formed a task force to aid in the development, promotion and marketing of the entire region. "This is a regional opportunity; it's beyond just one area," CACC President Nathan Sondgeroth said. "It's going to take every organization playing a part. Everything has to be complementary to really integrate this facility into our region." Enlisting a partnership with a variety of promotional agencies in the area, including the Clinton Regional Development Corp., the Clinton Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Downtown Development Association of Clinton, Sondgeroth is hoping the group can use a variety of avenues to execute the best strategy for the area. One major tool the task force is relying on is an economic study, conducted in 2010, that breaks down all the areas in which Clinton and neighboring communities have the strongest assets. Since the initial study was conducted nearly four years ago, the first step for the task force was to update the details. With up-to-date statistics and current demographics of the region, the group is using the study as a primary tool for creating the best sales pitch to prison personnel. One area CRDC President and CEO Mike Kirchhoff recognizes as a concern in the city of Clinton is the availability of housing. However, one of the goals of the task force is to address the housing issues and seek out development opportunities. "We recognize that housing is a shortfall in the area. That's also a shortfall for us bringing in new industry," Kirchhoff said. "(But) we are absolutely interested in Thomson prison and excited for the region. We're supporting the chamber and other organizations who are working to develop the area." It's not just the city of Clinton that is preparing for the prison's opening, though. The city of Fulton, Illinois, has already welcomed at least three new residents that are employed with the prison and their families. The city has also created a top-10 list for reasons to locate to Fulton on the city's website. The Village of Thomson, Illinois, also took to the internet to promote its community. A total revamp of the village's website is one way Village President Vicky Trager thought to highlight the qualities of Thomson, also including opportunities for businesses to get connected to the prison directly on the site's homepage. It's that kind of collaborative effort that Sondgeroth is hoping for with the task force. He believes if every community in the region can put forth the best it has, the better outcome the entire area will get from the Administrative United States Penitentiary in Thomson. "This shows that there is no one place that is going to benefit from this opening," Sondgeroth said. "This is truly a regional uplifting because of what the federal government has invested." Clinton Herald Staff Writer Amy Kent can be reached at [email protected]. ___ (c)2014 the Clinton Herald (Clinton, Iowa) Visit the Clinton Herald (Clinton, Iowa) at clintonherald.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |