L.J.’s Garden Cafe
114 N. Chicago St., Magnolia, IL • 815-869-3600
Friday, July 7 • Turtle Dinner • 5pm - 8pm
“PRSRT STD.” US Postage Paid No. 486 SHAW MEDIA
Tryour Homemade Desserts!
PUTNAM COUNTY’S ONLY NEWSPAPER • putnamcountyrecord.com
POSTAL PATRON LOCAL R.R. BOXHOLDER CARRIER ROUTE PRESORT
WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017 • 50 CENTS
LOCAL NEWS
TOP STORY
NCIEDC marketing making progress
Fair pageantry The Little Miss Pageant is July 9 at the M-P County Fairgrounds. / 2
SPORTS
First annual meeting held on June 27 BY DAVE COOK news@putnamcountyrecord.com
Catch our coverage Scenes from summer softball action around the region. / 7
SPECIAL TODAY
Guide to celebrations Check out our “Save the Date” pages in today’s edition. / 12-15
LOCAL NEWS What’s in store for
the Marshall-Putnam County Fair, which begins July 17? / 3
PERSPECTIVE Local columnist
Shannon Serpette writes about putting the break back in summer./ 6
Panther pride goes cross country Putnam County High School student Teagan Pantenburg is well prepared to deliver victory to the cross country track team this year. See next week’s issue of the Putnam County Record for her high-mileage story. (PCR photo/Dave Cook)
See MARKETING, Page 4
Vol. 149 No. 45 One Section - 16 Pages
Marshall-Putnam Fa i r
Wednesday: Kick-off Dinner, Harness Racing, and Wine Tasting Thursday: Family Fun Night and Motocross show © The Putnam County Record
OGLESBY — The North Central Illinois Economic Development Corporation (NCIEDC) has begun to harvest some of the results from their first year of globally marketing the assets of the Illinois Valley. On June 27, the group held their inaugural meeting at IVCC to review the year’s work and to also look toward the future. The goal of the NCIEDC is to efficiently promote the regional advantages in order to attract new growth and industry. This growth will then create new employment opportunities and added tax revenue which will help bring economic stability and prosperity to the area. “The board has set the organization on a path to development success. Strategic planning, teamwork and fiscal management assure the NCIEDC can meet the marketing objectives necessary for progress,” NCIEDC Chairman Jim Riley said. NCIEDC President Ivan Baker presented information showing that 318 new jobs have been created in the tri-county area of Bureau, LaSalle and Putnam counties over the past 18 months. Baker said both the labor force and population has grown recently in the Illinois Valley and the average household income has also increased, to $65,184. He also reported that unemployment and poverty rates have declined. “We still have much to do to encourage business growth and more good jobs for our young people. Our marketing effort is really new and we have to make sure business decision-makers know about us and will consider our region,” Baker said. The NCIEDC is achieving success by not duplicating efforts of other organizations, such as chambers of commerce, and by marketing the area to prospective investors.
FREE GATE
Julyy 12-16, 2017
Friday: Demolition Derby, Beer Tent with live music by Joe Stamm Band
Saturday: Tractor Pulls, Beer Tent with music by DJ Brain
FREE Parking
Sunday: Rodeo Car Show For a complete list of events, visit marshallputnamfair.org