It's been just under a year since the DeWitt County Board voted to proceed with a plan to try and develop 74-acres of county owned property at Clinton Lake.  Thursday night they heard the plan has yet to attract a developer.

Ruth Stauffer, Executive Director of the DeWitt County Development Council, updated the County Board on her group's progress with the Clinton Lake Development Plan.  She explains the project has been looking for qualified developers, however the search failed to yield any.  Stauffer feels several contributing factors are involved.

[audio:82511lakeproj1.mp3]A Word From Stauffer[/audio]

Despite the lack of results, Stauffer notes the project has drawn interest.  She says the DC-DC has fielded numerous calls from interested parties.

[audio:82511lakeproj2.mp3]A Word From Stauffer[/audio]

The results of feasibility studies in 2010 suggested the county pursue a tourist lodging project that includes up to a 140-room lodge with indoor aquatic park, as well as outlying cabins on the property.  Stauffer says the Clinton Lake Development Plan will proceed, but they plan on holding off heavy advertisement for the time being.

[audio:82511lakeproj3.mp3]A Word From Stauffer[/audio]

The DeWitt County Development Council has teamed with Chicago-based Market & Feasibility Advisors to attempt to develop the plan.  The DeWitt County Board has invested 40-thousand dollars in the studies and plan development.

In other business Thursday night, the DeWitt County Board...
> voted unanimously to begin paying members of the Regional Planning Commission 20-dollars per meeting and mileage.  The Chair will receive 25-dollars.

> voted 11 to 1 to slightly increase some slip rental rates in 2012 at the Clinton Lake Marina.