A proposed new development in Hoopeston has cleared a big hurdle now that Vermilion County has agreed to provide $600-thousand dollars for a new road. Hoopeston Mayor Jeff Wise reacted to the vote taken by the County Board’s Finance Committee….
{AUDIO: “I’m shocked! I’m thrilled! – This is going to be big for Hoopeston. We’ve been fighting for this for decades, and it goes to the council that was even before us. So, yow – I’m actually in shock right now. We’re really excited.”}
The money is part of the ARPA funds – American Rescue Plan Act federal funds the county received to help recover from the pandemic.
Mayor Wise outlined what is being proposed….
{AUDIO: “Right now it’s a cornfield, but the city of Hoopeston does not have a hotel. And we have a group of investors that came together, and they want to put in – not just a hotel – but they want to include a restaurant, a small strip mall, and a small storage area along with a retention pond. And we’re looking for economic development in Hoopeston and this is really going to be a shot in the arm.”
The City of Hoopeston is providing $250-thousand dollars for water and sewer improvements in the area between route 9 and Elm Street to help jump-start the project.
Nicole VanHyfte, Chamber of Commerce Director at Vermilion Advantage, is excited about the project….
{AUDIO: “I am thrilled! It’s so exciting that the Vermilion County Finance Committee said ‘yes’. This has been a long-time coming and Hoopeston definitely deserves it. It’s going to bring in jobs. It’s going to bring in tourism. It’s just going to give Hoopeston that next step forward because they are definitely on their way right now with some really great businesses that have come recently.”}
Mayor Wise says people have not even been holding weddings in Hoopeston because the nearest hotel is about twenty-five miles away.
