Politics & Government

Village Gets New Economic Director: Board Bits

The New Lenox Village Board approved Nancy Roman as its new economic development director, passed a comprehensive village alcohol code and more during its Aug. 22, 2011 meeting.

The Village Board approved a contract Monday for Nancy Roman to become New Lenox's new economic development director.

She replaces Randall Lowman, who resigned a few weeks ago. Roman worked in Shorewood with new village administrator Kurt Carroll, so familiarity was a plus for her deciding to come to New Lenox. In Shorewood, she was the economic development director for 13 years, and Carroll praised her work, especially during major road construction projects.

The village's economic development director works to promote New Lenox as a viable option for new businesses to call home. The job includes corresponding with potential businesses seeking more information and attending conferences to promote the village.

Find out what's happening in New Lenoxwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Carroll said she’ll be able to apply what she learned in that job to watching out for businesses during the Route 30 widening. More importantly, Roman said she’s excited for all the expected growth in New Lenox, especially around the new Silver Cross Hospital campus, which opens in February 2012, and Route 30 upon the project’s completion.

“I think New Lenox is positioned very well for new development when the economy comes around,” she said.

Find out what's happening in New Lenoxwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In a previous article, Mayor Tim Baldermann said the position paid about $86,000, but Roman’s salary wasn’t announced Monday. She officially starts her job Sept. 19.

More from the meeting

Village Alcohol Code: The board amended village code regarding alcoholic beverages. The 48-page ordinance goes into great detail to outline various liquor license classifications that Baldermann said will help the village “cover all of our bases.”

The ordinance defines various types of licenses, instead of requiring the village to create a new type of license every time a different establishment comes into town. For instance, it includes language about hotels, which are projected to come here in the next couple years.

It also provides more protection for the village during license renewals in cases that a business no longer falls under the license classification it was given (for example, if a business is licensed as a restaurant, but given various circumstances begins to primarily sell alcohol).

Route 6 roadwork: The board approved an agreement for the village to conduct engineering services at Route 6 and Cedar Crossings Drive, where a proposed mall will be, as well as Interstate 355 improvements. The improvements will consist of widening Route 6 to three lanes in each direction with turn lanes, installing a traffic signal at Cedar Crossings Drive and the I-355 west ramp intersection and constructing Cedar Crossings Drive from Route 6 to Silver Cross Drive, about 900 feet south. The estimated fee the village will bill the developer is $56,330.

September events: The village proclaimed September 2011 as National Preparedness Month and thanked all the various departments and volunteer organizations that help New Lenox ready the village for emergencies. The board also recognized , and proclaimed the “11 Days of Giving” from Sept. 1-11.


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