Let's change course and cheer the economic development that is happening around Lincoln

I confess to being a near constant whiner and critic when it comes to economic development in Lincoln. Specifically, I bemoan the lack of economic development in our midst.

Pardon me, because today I will reverse that trend with some welcome local happenings in the realm of economic development.

First, let me address the heavy equipment moving dirt in all directions on a sizable chunk of land just north of the Sysco food distribution property on Connolley Road. That’s the north/south blacktop connecting Fifth Street Road and Ill. Route 10.

At this point, I have another confession to make. Although I never put anything in print, several years ago, just after Sysco had opened its new Lincoln facility, I had predicted to myself that soon that within a year, the entire area would be filled with distribution centers by a wide variety of large companies.

Turns out I don’t know squat about the direction economic development might take. To date, several years later, Sysco remains the sole operation on that ground. But now I learn from Wes Woodhall, the City of Lincoln’s building and safety officer, that Roanoke Concrete Products Co. is constructing a new concrete plant on that land.

Roanoke is a well-established Peoria-area company that was founded in 1948. And, it’s already in Lincoln, at 601S. Kickapoo St. That’s been the site of a concrete plant for decades. The East Peoria company lays claim to 12 plants in central Illinois.

According to its website, “Roanoke Concrete started manufacturing concrete blocks in 1948. After a year of operation, business expanded to include ready-mixed concrete. The first operations and growth of the business began in Roanoke… After several updates to our business infrastructure and acquisitions of other locally owned businesses, our products have continuously improved to measure up to the expectations and detailed specifications of contractors, owners, and agencies.

“Our name and reputation have been established as a leader of product quality and customer satisfaction in central Illinois. Currently, there are ten ready-mix batch plants and two block-manufacturing facilities to serve central Illinois. Our ready-mix batch plants are computer automated and capable of hundreds of different mix designs to offer a precision and customized product.

“Our block manufacturing machines produce all types of concrete construction blocks, landscaping and retaining wall stone and blocks, and paver bricks. Our slogan, ‘The Beautiful Concrete People,’ emphasizes the attention to detail and customer service.”

I reached out to the company’s East Peoria headquarters, but by the time I wrote this, no one had responded to my inquiries. Nonetheless, it’s nice to know Roanoke Concrete has enough faith in Lincoln to make a sizable investment in our community.

The other development, which I am addressing isn’t really breaking news, but qualifies more as an update. It’s the fast-paced installation around town of underground pipe and cable that will bring ultra-high-speed Internet and other digital services to Lincoln homes and businesses.

The work, highly visible and already completed in many Lincoln neighborhoods, is under the direction of i3 Broadband, the leading fiber-to-the-home provider of 100% fiber-optic, high-speed Internet service in Illinois. i3 Broadband provides Gigabit-speed broadband, television, and voice services to residential and commercial customers throughout central Illinois and now Missouri. It also serves select markets in the East Bay of Rhode Island.

“The company will invest approximately $15M to bring the life-changing benefits of broadband service to the city’s approximately 13,500 residents,” according to a November 2021 news release it issued.

“i3 Broadband will offer a highly competitive package that includes Gig speed service, plus the company’s i3 Smart Wi-Fi … for $44.99 per month.”

“By expanding our network to Lincoln, we continue to execute our long-term vision of substantially growing our footprint, and our relationships with each community we serve,” said Brian Olson, chief operating officer of i3 Broadband. “We’re looking forward to continuing our work with the community and it’s elected partners to provide services that vastly surpass those of existing providers. Our expansion compliments Lincoln as an even more competitive place to live, work and play. We’re acquiring a retail location for service and billing needs and are thrilled to be bringing new jobs to the community.”

“The company, through its Smart Wi-Fi brand products, has long been committed to bringing broadband service to rural Americans. As part of that commitment, the company’s overall investment to bring high-speed broadband service to homes across Logan County, including the town of Lincoln. …. i3 Broadband’s network has been nationally recognized in the top three companies nationwide for both Internet speed and customer satisfaction.”

I think it’s safe to say without fear of contradiction that more local folks will utilize i3 Broadband services than those who will purchase concrete from the Roanoke company. It’s also a pleasure to join in the shouts of “Welcome to Town!” Lincoln needs you both.

Dan Tackett is a retired managing editor of The Courier. He can be reached at dtackett@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Lincoln Courier: Welcome Roanoke Concrete and i3 Broadband commitments to Lincoln