Mount Carroll Community Development Corporation Contact Information

Mayor Bob Bulman, left, presents a $180,000 check to TEAM Products president Dave Johnston, center. CDC president John Swiech, right, assisted with the grant application.

CDAP Grant Received for Revolving Loan Fund

By JAN VANBUSKIRK

After nearly three years of red tape, Mayor Bob Bulman presented a $180,000 check from the city's newly established revolving loan fund to Dave Johnston, owner of TEAM Products, during the city council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 11.

Johnston will use the money to purchase additional equipment for his factory, which is undergoing a major expansion. He will pay it back along with three percent interest and it will be available for other businesses in the community.

To acquire a Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP) grant for a revolving loan for economic development, the city needed an initial project that would satisfy the state's requirements for the loan.

Johnston, vice president of the Mount Carroll Community Development Corporation, delayed the expansion of his factory, which makes a huge variety of molded rubber products, so the city could qualify for the grant. But it's been a huge task for Johnston, the city, the CDC and Sharon Peppin of MSA, who wrote the grant application and led everyone involved through the hoops. With all the requirements finally fulfilled, the city received the money right before the new year.

Johnston thanked the city council, Mayor Bulman, CDC president John Swiech and Peppin for "hanging in this all the way." He said the new building, which was added to his factory on the southeast edge of Mount Carroll, is almost finished and he will now purchase the equipment that will go into it. The project should be done and ready to move into in late March or early April, he said. He will be adding several new employees to his operation at that time.

Come Grow With Us in Mount Carroll and Save Thousands

Save thousands when you buy or build your dream home in Mount Carroll. The Mount Carroll Community Development Corporation, the City of Mount Carroll, and local building trades businesses are offering incentives to encourage new housing starts and new families to move to Mount Carroll.

The total incentives package can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Conditions and restrictions apply.

For details, view the Incentives Brochure (free Acrobat Reader required) or contact the CDC at 815.244.2255 or e-mail info@mountcarrollcdc.org.

Job Opportunity

The Mount Carroll Community Development Corporation is looking to hire an energetic self-starter with experience in rural economic development to fill our part-time executive director position. Must possess knowledge of local businesses, TIF districts, enterprise zones, etc. This position requires some day and evening meetings with various city, county and state committees/organizations. Interested candidates should submit resume to Mount Carroll CDC, P.O. Box 104, Mt. Carroll, IL 61053. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled

CDC and City Work to Establish TIF District

The Mount Carroll Community Development Corporation is currently assisting the City of Mount Carroll in creating a TIF District that will encompass most of the southern portion of the City along the Route 52/64 corridor.

The TIF District will also include all of Campbell Center as well as traveling northward through several residential neighborhoods to the retail business section. The completion date for this project is expected to be this spring.

Progress on the TIF District will be announced on this web site.

Improvements Made at Point Rock Park

Point Rock
Photo courtesy Blue Mountain Design

Point Rock Park, located on Mill Street, south and west of downtown Mount Carroll, is a place of natural beauty. Its scenic bluffs along the Waukarusha River, as well as the picnic and playground areas provide recreation for all ages.

Recently, a number of the old walking trails that ascend the bluffs were cleared and restored. The main trail begins behind the picnic pavilion and climbs the bluffs to where it intersects with two other paths. The path to the right leads to Point Rock with its panaramic view of the river and city. The path to the left will take you to historic Oak Hill Cemetery which overlooks Market Street and the downtown area. The cemetery holds numerous Civil War grave sites, as well as historic personages, such as Anita Snook who taught Amelia Erhardt to fly.

The Mount Carroll Lions Club and many others from the community have undertaken the task of restoring the park and improving its facilities with new playground equipment and a Frisbee golf course. Signage and maps marking the trails and other features will be in place by the spring of 2005.

In the early 1900's, Point Rock Park was much larger than its present size with many more walking paths and vistas. It is the goal of the people of Mount Carroll to make Point Rock Park once more a "go to" place for all who come to northwest Illinois.

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