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FOIA Number: 2013-0661-F (3) FOIA MARKER This is not a textual record. This is used as an administrative marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff. Collection/Record Group: Clinton Presidential Records Subgroup/Office of Origin: Americorps Series/Staff Member: General Files Subseries: OA/ID Number: 24237 FolderID: Folder Title: [Scrapbook of Success - Chicago, East St. Louis, & Two Rivers] [3] Stack: Row: Section: Shelf: Position: S 66 1 1 2 W S R R T NATIONAL AMERICORPS A SERVICE AmeriCorps in Illinois α->wan E I Getting Things Done for America YWCA Quincy 421 Jersey Quincy, Illinois 62301 December 19, 1994 (217) 222-4996 Dear Mr. McCartney: The YWCA of Quincy would like to thank you SO very much for your Ameri Corps program and all the fine work they have done for us. Your crew of workers has been very busy scraping and painting the inside of the YWCA. They have painted the gymnasium, stairway leading up to the gym, the hallway, garden room and wall-papered the main-floor bathroom. Excellent work by very nice people. We have also scheduled them to finish painting the downstairs weight room, men's locker room and small dining room. This Spring, we have alot of outside work that needs to be done, also. Again, thank you and Uptown Quincy for having this program. Without you, we would have been hard pressed to get these projects done, both physically and financially. Sincerely, Denne-Mayloget Donna Mayenzet, President Board of Directors YWCA of Quincy 8 Uptown Quincy Incorporated 110 North 6th Quincy, Illinois 62301 Phone 217/228-8696 Fax 217/228-8698 February 1, 1995 Bill McCartney Two Rivers Resource Conservation and Development Corporation Pittsfield, IL 62363 Dear Bill: Before you decide I'm completing lacking in manners, I want to "officially" thank you for the assistance you've offered through the AmeriCorps program. Susie, Starr, Darlene, Chad and Mike have been a tremendous help to us! Without them it would have been nearly impossible for me to get this survey completed. They are doing a great job and coming back with not only statistical data but comments which we need. My next challenge is to follow up on this. You can be sure we'll do our best to let our members and the public know what we've learned and what we hope we can accomplish. I have enclosed copies of several items for you. The first, on the yellow paper, is a survey which a student intern conducted in November/December 1994. This is the one Susie tallied and summarized the final data. A copy of what the Quincy Herald-Whig printed and what I submitted in the Quincy Merchant are attached. The second set of materials includes articles from the Quincy Herald-Whig and the Quincy Merchant as well as a copy of the survey which Starr, Darlene, Chad and Mike are conducting. Susie is compiling the information as they turn it in each day. In addition to the newspaper articles, most of the radio and television stations also mentioned these surveys. Again Bill, I'm extremely grateful for the help being offered! Sincerely, Eie Executive Director Jill Amold Blickhan Enclosures Uptown Quincy, Inc. works with its members and the community to (1) market, (2) develop and (3) represent Quincy's central business district. Village of Brussels Sarah A. Kinder, Mayor Raymond Menke, Clerk P.O. Box 84 P.O. Box 43 Brussels, IL 62013 Brussels, JL 62013 April 3, 1995 Mr. Bill McCartney Two Rivers RC & D 110 East Fayette Pittsfield, IL 62363 Dear Mr. McCartney, I would like to express my appreciation for the presentation about AmeriCorps given to the board by Phillip Beemer and Darlene Ivarson. After some discussion we felt that a Community Highlights Profile would be beneficial to help the village promote tourism. We also have an historic jail which needs painting and a sign indicating its historic nature. These are two projects that the AmeriCorps group could help us with. Please advise me as to further information necessary to participate in your program. Sincerely, Sarah a. Kinder Sarah A. Kinder Mayor March 21, 1995 Dear Bill blocks at West Pike up volunteers for Thankyou for living School. Our client's trailer will be set this week. Relay a up for to your the client. Again Thanks. Sincerely yours in B Service Bowen Uptown Quincy Incorporated 110 North 6th Quincy, Illinois 62301 Phone 217/228-8696 Fax 217/228-8698 March 31, 1995 Bill McCartney Two Rivers Resource Conservation and Development Corporation 110 East Fayette Pittsfield, IL 62363 Dear Bill: I want to thank you once again for the assistance provided Uptown Quincy, Inc. through the AmeriCorps program. Starr, Darlene, Chad and Mike were a tremendous help conducting our door-to-door survey project! They completed nearly 350 surveys gathering information and opinions about parking and one-way street conversions. They've also completed structural surveys and helped provide additional information for our maps. Starr also did quite a bit of work tabulating information we need for our Special Service Area assessment. Susie has also been a godsend for us! She's done any number of secretarial tasks asked. In addition, she's compiled all the information collected by the survey team, tabulated responses and doublechecked information. Again Bill, I'm extremely grateful for their work! They've enabled us to provide factual information for me to use in my work with revitalization and economic development and other issues facing our central business district and community. I've heard equally glowing reports on the work done by the teams at the YWCA and WCU! Both organizations are grateful for the assistance! Sincerely, Sec Blickhan Executive Director Copies: Starr McDaniles Darlene Ivarson Mike Miller Chad Denison Susie Ruble Uptown Quincy, Inc. works with its members and the community to (1) market, (2) develop and (3) represent Quincy's central business district. April 5, 1995 U.S.D.A. AmeriCorps William McCartney-Director 110 E Fayette Pittsfield Il 62363 Dear Mr. McCartney, We appreciated your Americorps representatives attending our Village Board meeting the evening of April 3, 1995. Their presentation was interesting and informative. The Village of Hull is in need of having identifying numbers assigned to each business and residence within the Village limits. The village trustees would like to request the help of your Americorps program in completing this task. Please contact Mayor John Lehr at 217 224-5311 or Judy Smith at 217 432-5471 with any questions you might have regarding this project. Thank you. Sincerely Jahn Pchn John Lehr VILLAGE OF BROWNING P.O. BOX 169 BROWNING, IL. 62624 DATE: APRIL 6, 1995 TO: MR. BILL McCARTNEY RE: AMERICORPS FROM: BURL H. BOYD, VILLAGE PRESIDENT DARLENE IVARSON AND STARR McDANILES GAVE A PRESENTATION AT OUR APRIL 4 th BOARD MEETING AND THE BOARD HAS AGREED TO TAKE THEM UP ON THEIR OFFER. THE PRESENTATION WAS VERY WELL ADDRESSED AND THE TWO LADIES CONDUCTED THEMSELVES VERY PROFESSIONALLY AND FRIENDLY. THEY SPOKE VERY POSITIVE ABOUT THEIR WORKING ABILITIES AND ABOUT THE PROGRAM THEY ARE WORKING UNDER. THE BOARD AND MYSELF LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE PROGRAM AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME ANYTIME. MY HOME NUMBER IS 217-323-2796. THANKS BuillBoyd Village of Pearl Pearl, IL 62361 June 21, 1995 Dear Bill, We wish to thank you for sending the AmeriCorps Environmental Team to Pearl. We appreciate that they cut brush out of the main drainage ditch that run through the village and off the levee. They were polite and friendly, even when cutting brush in hot weather. They did a very good job and are very hard working. It has been a pleasure to have Susie, Larry, LeeAnn, Gary, Joe and Rachel. For without their help I don't know how we would have it done. Yours Truly, Village President Kidh Danahor Read Jice chat Daniles June 27, 1995 Mr. Bill McCartney, 110 E. Fayette St., Pittsfield, Il. Dear Sir: At the June 13 meeting of the Village Board of Payson, it was agreed that Americorp workers should proceed with pub- lishing a brochure concerning the Village of Payson. We were impressed with their work on other projects similar in nature, and wish to advertise the advantages and prospects Payson has to offer to anyone searching for a commendable lo- cation for businesses or any other project which could be of mutual value to both the interested party (ies) and the Village of Payson. We feel we have assets here that could be developed to be of benefit to all concerned. Sincerely yours, Charles McCallister, President Clerk Village Board Village of Nebo VIN FIZ P.O. Box 237A Nebo, IL 62355 July 12, 1995 Two Rivers RC&D Bill McCartney Pittsfield, Illinois IN REGUARDS: USDA AMERICORPS The Village Board would like to express to you and the workers of Americorps how much we appreciate the help they gave our community. The profile they did on our community was excellent and we intend to pass out copies on Vin Fiz Day and during the Color Tour. The days the workers spent in Nebo doing anything they were asked to do and doing the job well not only saved our Village a lot of money it also improved the looks of our Village and we have received many compliments. They were respectful of the property they were on and acted in a respectful manner. We were very grateful for the time and energy they gave our community and we hope the program can be continued to help Villages such as ours. Sincerely, Village President Village Board Trustees GIS ADAMS COUNTY July 17, 1995 2002 Bill McCartney Two Rivers Resource Conservation and Development 110 E. Fayette St. Pittsfield, IL 62363 RE: Note of appreciation for services provided by Americorps volunteers Dear Bill: On behalf of the Adams County Highway Department, the Adams County 9-1-1 Department, Klingner & Associates and Poepping, Stone, Bach and Associates, I would like to express our thanks to you and your Americorps volunteers for assisting Adams County with the field verification portion of our countywide addressing project. We have found your people to be enthusiastic and dedicated to completing the tasks assigned. They were also able to make adjustments while in the field to discrepancies in some of the maps provided them. As project manager for the countywide addressing initiative, I soon learned to feel confident that final field information returned to our office was well documented with very few errors or inconsistencies. Your volunteers also helped fill a manpower gap faced in the project. 1995 has been a very busy year for county, city and local engineering staffs and we would have been hard pressed to find enough people to complete field verification on schedule. Your offer of volunteers was extremely timely and was exactly what the county needed to bridge our manpower gap. From our standpoint, we would like to see the Americorps program continued, if possible. Americorps is an excellent win-win type of program that provides volunteers with valuable practical experience and college credits while at the same time providing valuable benefits to local communities. We'd like to thank you again for your service and want you to know we have really appreciated our partnership with your Americorps team. Very truly yours, KLINGNER & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Mark Werra Mark Warren, Geographic Information Specialist MSW/H:\ADMIN\92FILES\92051-02VADDRESSAMERCOR3.DOC CC: Dick Klusmeyer, Adams County Engineer Cathy Brogdon, Adams County 9-1-1 Coordinator Pat Poepping and Tom Hickman, PSBA KLINGNER &ASSOCIATES.P.C. PSBA_ Consulting Engineers POEPPING. STONE, BACH & ASSOCIATES, INC. 613 Broadway, Quincy, Illinois 62301 501 Broadway, Quincy, Illinois 62301 GIS ADAMS COUNTY 2002 July 17, 1995 Bill McCartney Two Rivers Resource Conservation and Development 110 E. Fayette St. Pittsfield, IL 62363 RE: Americorps assistance with Adams County, Illinois, 9-1-1 addressing Dear Bill: As expressed in our telephone conversation on July 14, 1995, Adams County, Illinois, has finalized Phase I and II work on countywide addressing and is preparing to move on to Phase III. During Phase II work, one of your Americorps crews drove the three townships (commonly known as the Tri-Townships) surrounding Quincy township and marked down distances in thousandths of a mile from intersections to a house or structure. One area of additional work needed for Phase III is to convert these mileage readings into addresses based on the Quincy street numbering system. Americorps volunteer Mike Miller has done an excellent job in entering addresses for the rural townships in the County. We are requesting Mike's services to help convert the Tri- Township mileages to addresses. We realize that the term of service for many of your volunteers is coming to an end, therefore we would like to have Mike work on this aspect of Phase III addressing until the end of his term if that does not impose an inconvenience on your plans and schedules. Please contact me at your earliest convenience if you have additional questions or want to discuss the scope of work on this phase of our project. As always, the Adams County Highway Department, 9-1-1 Department, Klingner & Associates, and PSBA greatly appreciate your organization's offer of assistance. Very truly yours, KLINGNER & ASSOCIATES, P.C. mark Warren Mark Warren, Geographic Information Specialist CC: Dick Klusmeyer, Adams County Engineer Cathy Brogdon, Adams County 9-1-1 Coordinator Pat Poepping and Tom Hickman, PSBA KLINGNER &ASSOCIATES.P.C. PSBA Consulting Engineers POEPPING. STONE. BACH & ASSOCIATES, INC. 613 Broadway, Quincy, Illinois 62301 501 Broadway, Quincy, Illinois 62301 8-31-94 Rushville Times Spotlight on Education in Schuyler County Ill Recruiting Begins for Area National Service Project The United States Secretary of Agriculture Department of Agriculture Mike Espy urged all interested (USDA) announced that it has Americans to apply. Espy said begun recruitment for the AmeriCorps is grounded in the AmeriCorps National Service mainstream values of communi- Project that the Department will run in the Two Rivers ty, responsibility and opportuni- Resource Conservation and ty. It is good for the participants to benefit from their increased Development Area (Adams, ability to attend college or Voca- Brown, Calhoun, Pike and tional school. It is good for the Schuyler counties) starting in communities which benefit from October. their service and good for the AmeriCorps is President country which benefits from re- Clinton's national service initia- newed civic spirit. tive that allows diverse groups Applicants must be a high of young people to earn college school graduate or be willing to or vocational school scholarships work on their GED during their while performing critical service service and college graduates to meet human, environmental, public safety and educational are eligible to apply. There will be nine Public Land and needs. Environment Team members Participants in the program and six Rural Development will work for a year earning a Team members selected. stipend ranging from $7,660 to The United States $12,000 and then receive an ed- Department of Agriculture ucational award worth $4,725. There will be two teams orga- (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of nized in the Two Rivers Area. race, color, national origin, sex, One tenm, the Public Lands religion, age, disability, political and Environment Team will beliefs and marital or familial help restore parks and streams status. (Not all prohibited bases damaged by the floods of 1993 apply to all programs.) and 1994. The Rural Persons with disabilities who Development Tenm will do sur- require alternative means for veys and inventories that will communication of program in- result in the development of formation (braille, large print, strategies that will lead to in- creased income for businesses audiotape, etc.) should contact and farmers in the five county the USDA Office of area. Communications nt (202) 720- Any citizens 17 years or older 5881 (voice) or (202) 720-7808 from west central Illinois are el- (TDD). igible to apply for the program. To file a complaint, write the There is no maximum or mini- Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. mum family income required to Department of Agriculture, apply. Applications will be nc- Washington, D.C. 20250, or call cepted until Sept. 16. To apply (202) 720-7327 (voice) or (202) for the program or obtain more 720-1127 (TDD). USDA is an information, call Bill equal employment opportunity McCartney, 217-285-4114 or the employer. toll free national USDA AmeriCorps hotline at 1-800- 880-4183. Hearld witig Parks to get boost from AmeriCorps Several young adults from the National Service Inside Program will work for the Quincy Park District and Park Board in- other area agencies. creases district's insur- By William Mussetter ance coverage. Herald-Whig Staff Writer - Page 8B As many as seven young workers hired through President educational, human services, Clinton's AmeriCorps National public safety and environmental Service Program could be concerns. As many as 20,000 working for : the Quincy Park young people are expected to be District as early as mid- serving by early 1995. October. Corps members receive lodg- And at least two other local ing, meals, uniforms, health lagencies, the American Red care and child care in addition Cross and West Central Child to an $8,000 living allowance Care Connection, will benefit for 11 months of service. After from the program. completing the program, they "This is a real opportunity for will receive an education award the Park District," said Direc- of $4,725, or a cash payment of tor Stephen Carpenter. "And the $2,362. obligation to us is minimal. While with the Park District, We'll have to train these young the young people will work in people, but we'd have to do that maintenance, landscaping and anyway." basic environmental practices. The young people will be re- Because the federal govern- cruited through the National ment is doing the hiring, Car- Civilian Community Corps, an penter couldn't guarantee the AmeriCorps program. The workers would come from the workers can work 1,700 hours. local area. "That's almost a full year of "But applications from local employment, with no cost to the residents will be given prior- district, he said. ity," he said. AmeriCorps is a national In about two weeks, an Ame- service program designed to riCorps participant will begin employ American citizens 18-24 work with West Central Child years of age in jobs that address (See AMERICORPS, Page 2A) Page 18 Springfield, Illinois Saturday, September 17, 1994 THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER Local applicants sought for AmeriCorps By ROSALYNNE HARTY loosely modeled on the GI Bill and needed for the rural development offers educational benefits in return team, which will be working on three REGIONAL EDITOR "Here is a chance to for service. main projects: a small-town business PITTSFIELD - Bill McCartney is The 15 workers in the Two Rivers research and retention project, re- looking for some trailblazers to join get a little scholarship area will be among 400 AmeriCorps quiring surveys and information- the new federal AmeriCorps. members in Illinois this year. Other gathering; research into possible al- McCartney, a Soil Conservation to go to school, and groups will work with river-quality ternative uses for farmland that will Service employee working with Two maybe expose people monitoring, day-care and other com- soon be coming out of the Conserva- tion Reserve Program; and surveying Rivers Resource Economic Develop- munity service projects. local township and county officials ment Corp., is trying to recruit ser- to some careers - The Two Rivers teams will be as- vice-minded workers to build hiking about pending bridge replacements signed to work in Adams, Brown, Cal- to see if a market can be created for and bike trails as well as be pioneers find out what they houn, Pike and Schuyler counties. local wood for timber bridges. in the new Clinton service corps. want to do the rest of Nine AmeriCorps members are be- "We're trying to accomplish things These workers will be paid $12,000 ing recruited for the Public Lands within the communities that they for 1,700 hours. their life. and Environment team. Those work- probably wouldn't be able to accom- ers, who will earn $7,600 for 1,700 The application period has been plish without their help," McCartney hours work, will build hike and bike extended to Sept. 23. For more infor- said. Bill McCartney The tasks, which range from taking Soil Conservation Service trails, a 50-acre wetland, an environ- mation or to apply, contact McCart- mental education center that will ney at 285-4114 or by writing: Two surveys to planting trees, also will employee serve six counties, and help stabilize Rivers Resource Conservation and provide exposure to careers in agri- streambanks that were damaged in Development Corp., 110 Fayette, culture, forestry, horticulture and ru- the Flood of '93. Pittsfield, III. 62363. ral development. AmeriCorps applicants must be 17 "Here is a chance to get a little "up to whatever," McCartney said. Some of the workers will work with For information on other Illinois scholarship to go to school, and may- Workers will be paid a modest salary, park districts and not-for-profit AmeriCorps programs call the lieu- be expose people to some careers - plus health benefits, while earning groups that deal with environmental tenant governor's office at 1-800-843- find out what they want to do the rest stipends for higher education or to issues. 5848. The national information num- of their life," McCartney said. Six AmeriCorps members are ber is 1-800-942-6777. repay college loans. The program is Runing 10/95 Chad Dentays And II-W Photo/Mic Fifteen area residents were sworn into the AmeriCorps Susan Ruble, left, and Chad Denison. Behind them, 1 program Friday In Moorman Park. Corps members will be are corps members Mike Miller, Gary Smothers an working In a five-county area In West-Central Illinois. Shown Elledge. taking the AmeriCorps oath of service In the foreground are AmeriCorps pulled from The_problem, he said, is Car- union supports. AmeriCorps program, which the the problem wasn't about the members would be doing. He said outlining what the AmeriCorps time and negotiated an agreement have met with the union ahead of Meehan said the district should worth it," McCartney said. with Rick Meehan. It's just not "I'm not going to push the issue (Conti AmeriCorps city parks to talk about. Workers assigned to Quincy have been At a Glance relocated after a dispute between the Park District AmeriCorps is part of President Bill Clinton's Na- Carpenter said there's nothing refuses to talk to the union. weeks. Meehan said Carpenter with the Park District for several has been locked in a labor dispute organize seasonal workers, and Union. Meehan has been trying to are members of the Machinists The 12 full-time park workers two empty full-time positions. status of seasonal workers and penter's refusal to discu and a labor representative. tional Service Program. Corps members must be By William Mussetter American citizens, age 17 or Herald-Whig Staff Writer older. They receive lodging, Four AmeriCorps members meals, uniforms, health care e caught in the middle of a labor and child care in addition to dispute between the Quincy Park an $8,000 living allowance District and Machinists Lodge 822 for 11 months of service. year?" have been moved to a job site in After completing the pro- Calhoun County. gram, they receive an ed- "It's too bad this has happened. ucation award of $4,725, or But I can't risk bad publicity for a cash payment of $2,362. Meehan said the district has 12 that aren't going to be back next "How do you organize people workers each year, he said. trict typically hires new seasonal back the following year, the dis- better workers are asked to come penter said. While a few of the at the time they are hired," Car- money runs out. They know that ployment is terminated when the "The seasonal the AmeriCorps program," said William McCartney, program coordinator for Two Rivers Re- We knew at that time how long source Conservation & Develop- their part-time or seasonal em- ment Inc. in Pittsfield. ploýment would last. The employment of several "If the AmeriCorps program Park District seasonal staffers had started in the middle of the ended Monday, the same day the summer, there would have been rker's em- AmeriCorps workers reported for absolutely no part-time or sea- work. sonal (workers) leaving. I think Rick Meehan, business repre- that's a very irresponsible state- sentative for Machinists Lodge ment (by Meehan)," Carpenter said. 822, called the move a layoff. Meehan said the AmeriCorps "I didn't think (the seasonal program prohibits the displace- workers) fell under the displace- ment of workers by corps mem- ment clause in the (AmeriCorps) bers. legislation," said McCartney, who Stephen Carpenter, executive moved the corps members after District?" Meehan asked. director of the Quincy Park Dis- Meehan threatened to file a trict, said nobody had been laid grievance with the Park District. off. "All of our part-time people the citizens of Quincy for the Park full time, so we can better serve tional seasonal people, make them "Why don't we add the addi- two more full-time workers. were being used to avoid hiring ers, then AmeriCorps members, He believes first seasonal work- time positions since mid-summer. district has had two vacant full- seasonal workers. He sai full-time workers and were budgeted back in January. (See AMERICORPS, Page 2A) the 40 Western press Oct. 25, 1994 STARR McDANILES AND CHAD DENISON are working with Pittsfield Economic Developer Robin Hendley to gather information on Pittsfield's downtown area. McDaniles is from Pearl and Denison from Pittsfield. They're parts of Americorps team By DAN LONG by the US Department of Agri- economic developer. culture. The information will be used "Hopefully some of the things Denison, from Pittsfield, and to meet ADA requirements, ful- I'll be learning I can take back to McDaniles are working through fill Main Street designations for Pearl and use it to stop the de- the Pittsfield economic develop- application and other possible cline there," Starr McDaniles said ment office to collect data on. projects. about her working as an Ameri- Pittsfield's downtown area. "We need to know what the corps volunteer. They'll collect information on data says and see what direction McDaniles and Chad Denison businesses, buildings, residences, it's pointing," Hendley said. are two members of Americorps, parking and other factors, accord- It could point to a certain mar- a group of volunteers employed ing to Robin Hendley, Pittsfield ket area not being met by current businesses or a need for more parking, or it might not, Hendley said. Denison and McDaniles will work for 9-10 months on the data collection project. They've al- ready undergone some training in- cluding CPR and first aid from the Red Cross and team building at WIU, according to Denison. : At the end of the project, both volunteers will receivè scholar- ships toward additional education as well as experience. "It's a volunteer position with a living expense," McDaniles said. "You eam money and there's a $4,725 scholarship toward (educa- tion)," Denison said. "It's a chance to make contacts and gain experi- ence." Both volunteers applied for the program through Two Rivers RC&D, the local sponsor of the program. 8-THE CALHOUN NEWS, HARDIN, IL WED., OCT. 26, 1994 There were 13 AmeriCorps/USDA Team workers from the Two Rivers Area in Kampsville on Thursday, October 20. They were front row, left to right, Rachel Elledge, Pittsfield; Chad Denison, Pittsfield; Susan Ruble, Griggsville; LeeAn Daniles, Detroit; Bryan Hart, Pleasant Hill; Scott Jones, Kampsville; Larry Warcup, Morgan County; and Bill McCartney, coordinator of Pittsfield. Second row, left to right, Phil Beemer, Pittsfield; Starr McDaniles, Pearl; Bob Gillespy, Springfield; Gary Smothers, Pittsfield; Jamie Totsch, Clayton, IL; and Joe Daniels, Pleasant Hill. Calhoun News Photo Workers assisted in dismantling a sidewalk in the Village of Kampsville. Calhoun News Photo USDA AmeriCorps Projects Announced For Local Are The USDA Soil Conservation research, retention and from streams and repair damag Service and Two Rivers Resource revitalization program. Their streambanks. Conservation & Development, Inc. second goal will identify and AmeriCorps is Presi announced the kickoff of the local promote alternative uses of land Clinton's new service program which will be released from he likens to a domestic F USDA AmeriCorps projects recently. Fifteen USDA Conservation Reserve Program Corps. The difference is .e holiday tinsel and g' : are packed 'ay. workers' help in th ntral busine district. first gift came from AmeriCorps service program Thanks to Bill McCartney, coordinator of the regional rkers. Teams of workers offered to help the city and AmeriCorps program, and to the workers who have ,ptown Quincy, Inc. with public-works projects. made a difference project by project in the central business district. City assistance from AmeriCorps involved clearing trees and brush from city right-of-way areas, mostly Our second Christmas gift -- $4 million worth -- was along the riverfront, and re-laying bricks for alleys in delivered by seven local banks and the city on 1 the East End Historic District. December 20. They announced the enhancement of } the Central Business District Commercial Revolving AmeriCorps workers approached Uptown Quincy, Inc. Loan Fund (CBD-RLF). and offered to assist with rehabilitation and revitalization projects. UQI notified members of the The CBD-RLF program was established in the early offer and asked for requests involving improvements 1980s. It was devised to stimulate the rehabilitation to public property of for not-for-profit organizations. of commercial structures in the central business district. Although utilized by some, many felt the The Quincy YWCA was one of several UQI members limitations exceeded the benefits and potential quick to respond. opportunities for economic growth and development in the CBD were being lost. ? During the past few weeks, anytime weather has prohibited outdoor work, the AmeriCorps teams have Initial conversations between representatives of the, grabbed their paint brushes and moved inside the city, the banks, Great River Economic Development YWCA at 421 Jersey. Donna Mayenzet, YWCA Foundation and Uptown Quincy, Inc. focused on the president, has been grateful for the AmeriCorps $100,000 limit placed on individual loan applications and the inability to use funds for new construction. As a result of those conversations, the following revisions have been made to enhance the effectiveness and marketability of the program: increasing the revolving loan fund to a minimum of $4 million; -- increasing the loan limit to 15 percent of pool funds available; -- allowing new construction projects to be eligible; -- allowing property acquisition in conjunction with a building project to be eligible. The public-private partnership required the commitment of $500,000 from the City of Quincy as well as a minimum of $500,000 from each of the participating banks: Boatmen's Bank of Quincy First Bank FSB First Bankers Trust Company First Federal Bank FSB Mercantile Trust and Savings Bank State Street Bank and Trust Company PAGE 4 - December 28. 1994 - QUINCY MERCHANT Gary Haddock/Pike Press Susie Ruble and Joe Daniels helped with the painting last Tuesday in a volunteer effort to improve Nebo's main business district. Nebo is sprucing up By GARY HADDOCK But volunteers did the work. Nebo is getting a face lift along Working last Tuesday were Susie the west side of Union, the town's Ruble, Joe Daniels, LeeAnn main business street, with new paint McDaniles, Hubbard and Bud jobs along the entire block. Smith. Hubbard said Charlie Moore Nebo Mayor Kenny Hubbard of Pittsfield donated the paint said he was happy to see the change sprayer and Donnie Hodson of in town. "So many small towns like Barry donated a bucket truck. ours are just hanging on, barely sur- Harpole said he was donating the viving," Hubbard said. "It's awful paint to Nebo in return for all their easy for a town to go downhill." support of Heartland Outfitters. Hubbard said the painting was Pam Robinson of Pam's Place sponsored by Gary Harpole II, who restaurant said she thought it helps recently opened Heartland the town. "We had the window Outfitters, a deer hunting. resort woodwork and bench in front paint- south of Nebo. "He brought the ed. but left the brick as it was," she paint and materials," Hubbard said. said. PIKE August 16,1995 PRESS