Published: May 07, 2008 12:16 pm            

City looking for possible help in targeting retailers

Effingham City Council members are looking over a proposal that could help the city target retail establishments for future development here.

The Effingham City Council heard a presentation Tuesday evening from a Texas company that helps communities identify commercial retail matches.

Senior Vice President Joseph Fackel said The Buxton Co., a customer analytic business, has about 1,500 clients, 420 of which are communities seeking help with attracting retailers.

Fackel said his company’s community identification program helps match specific retail concepts to the buying habits and lifestyles of the people living in the community.

Buxton’s services will profile customers in Effingham, offer a list of matching retailers that fit the city’s characteristics and provide a customized marketing package, including SCOUT 2.0, an online

tool that can show interested retailers a potential site and detailed marketing information.

“I think it would provide us with the tools to go to retail businesses and show them that we are a retail match,” Economic Development Director Todd Hull said.

The council will study Buxton’s proposal and make a decision at a future time. Buxton did not say the cost of participation in the prgram.

In another matter, Tourism/Marketing Director Kim Wiedman gave the annual tourism report about accomplishments during her first year on the job.

The council was especially complimentary of the launch of a new Web site for the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Wiedman’s report also included a list of advertisements, articles and tour buses that have come through Effingham, new marketing materials for the city and events where the city has set up booths.

In other business, the council:

• Authorized the execution of a contract services agreement to retain the services of Economic Development Consultant Hank Stephens for one more year at a rate of $40,000.

• Granted permission for Effingham High School to have a homecoming parade on Oct. 2. U.S. Route 40 (Henrietta Street) at Grove Avenue, Fayette Avenue at Cherry Street and U.S. Route 45 (Third Street) at Jefferson Avenue will be temporarily closed off intermittently between 6:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. for the parade.

• Donated $5,000 to Southtowne Business Association of Effingham as a matching funds contribution to be used for the Fourth of July fireworks display.

• Granted a resolution to temporarily close portions of Effingham city streets from 8-9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, for the Crossroads Dash.

Angie Faller can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 131 or angie.faller@

effinghamdailynews.com.