| The Sun-Times Serving Williamsville and Sherman |
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A “major milestone” for Sherman
By Byron Painter
Editor
Village Center Drive in Sherman is officially open, after a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday.
The project, which will unlock 35 acres of commercial development, already has commitments from
Walgreens and Illini Bank (with the latter hoping to begin construction this month), and Sherman Mayor
Trevor Clatfelter said negotiations with County Market are in the “final stages.”
“This is a major milestone in the Village’s business development,” said Clatfelter, who became mayor
3 1/2 years ago. “This will allow us to expand our sales tax base and consequently lessen the burden on
our homeowners and their property taxes.”
In recent citizen surveys, Sherman residents clamored for a grocery store and pharmacy, and they will
have both (along with Beekman Pharmacy just down the road) if County Market agrees to build.
While he could not say what other businesses have shown interest in the development, “there will be a
host of new businesses” in the area in future years, Clatfelter said.
Clatfelter was optimistic that “this much progress” could be made on the project before the end of his
first term, but until the financial side of the picture became clearer, the progress was not as fast.
The project, which will cost $684,585, received $280,212 in federal stimulus funding, $75,000 from the
state, $118,917 from the village (in TIF district funding, with a commitment of up to $121,000, as the land is
in the Route 66 TIF district) and $210,456 from the developer, Prairieland Development.
“The purpose behind stimulus funds is to stimulate the economy, and by using our portion of the
funding to finance this intersection, the Village of Sherman is effectively committing taxpayer dollars for the
true purpose for which stimulus funding was intended,” said Clatfelter. “This project will not only create
construction jobs, but will also serve to create an ongoing, long-term employment opportunities and spawn
future economic development for the Village of Sherman and its surrounding areas.”
Walgreens is expected to bring 30-35 jobs to the area, and County Market would bring another 50-60
jobs, according to Clatfelter, no small feat considering the economy.
The location of the project, right off Interstate 55, is also key, and there will now be two entrances to the
development, which will help with traffic as well.
Clatfelter thinks that within 3-4 years, the project could essentially be finished.
But he cautioned that this development will be “controlled and managed growth,” not an explosion like
other communities where infrastructure needs are having trouble keeping up. Also, the village’s and
Prairieland Development’s engineers have tried to plan for the expected traffic load.
“Our residents want to grow business, but they still want to maintain Sherman as a bedroom
community,” said Clatfelter.
A lifelong resident of Sherman, Clatfelter called Friday “a dream come true for me professionally and
personally.”
By Byron Painter
Editor
Village Center Drive in Sherman is officially open, after a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday.
The project, which will unlock 35 acres of commercial development, already has commitments from
Walgreens and Illini Bank (with the latter hoping to begin construction this month), and Sherman Mayor
Trevor Clatfelter said negotiations with County Market are in the “final stages.”
“This is a major milestone in the Village’s business development,” said Clatfelter, who became mayor
3 1/2 years ago. “This will allow us to expand our sales tax base and consequently lessen the burden on
our homeowners and their property taxes.”
In recent citizen surveys, Sherman residents clamored for a grocery store and pharmacy, and they will
have both (along with Beekman Pharmacy just down the road) if County Market agrees to build.
While he could not say what other businesses have shown interest in the development, “there will be a
host of new businesses” in the area in future years, Clatfelter said.
Clatfelter was optimistic that “this much progress” could be made on the project before the end of his
first term, but until the financial side of the picture became clearer, the progress was not as fast.
The project, which will cost $684,585, received $280,212 in federal stimulus funding, $75,000 from the
state, $118,917 from the village (in TIF district funding, with a commitment of up to $121,000, as the land is
in the Route 66 TIF district) and $210,456 from the developer, Prairieland Development.
“The purpose behind stimulus funds is to stimulate the economy, and by using our portion of the
funding to finance this intersection, the Village of Sherman is effectively committing taxpayer dollars for the
true purpose for which stimulus funding was intended,” said Clatfelter. “This project will not only create
construction jobs, but will also serve to create an ongoing, long-term employment opportunities and spawn
future economic development for the Village of Sherman and its surrounding areas.”
Walgreens is expected to bring 30-35 jobs to the area, and County Market would bring another 50-60
jobs, according to Clatfelter, no small feat considering the economy.
The location of the project, right off Interstate 55, is also key, and there will now be two entrances to the
development, which will help with traffic as well.
Clatfelter thinks that within 3-4 years, the project could essentially be finished.
But he cautioned that this development will be “controlled and managed growth,” not an explosion like
other communities where infrastructure needs are having trouble keeping up. Also, the village’s and
Prairieland Development’s engineers have tried to plan for the expected traffic load.
“Our residents want to grow business, but they still want to maintain Sherman as a bedroom
community,” said Clatfelter.
A lifelong resident of Sherman, Clatfelter called Friday “a dream come true for me professionally and
personally.”
Issue Date: Nov. 4, 2010