As most of you are aware, JCDC is currently sharing the financial challenges faced by the City of Mt. Vernon in the form of a sales tax shortfall that threatens it may become the new normal. Nationally, communities who collect sales tax are feeling the “Amazon Effect” as consumers turn to the internet for convenience shopping and deals. Among other cuts, the City suspended 1/3 of its annual contribution to JCDC, amounting to a $50,000 shortfall in revenue for us. This year, the same cut has occurred. This year, we can expect another 8-14% reduction in annual in-store sales as a result of what has been referred to as “the Amazon Effect”.  To add another challenge, the state budget that was passed in early July includes a number of provisions that, when added together, will create approximately $250,000 in shortfalls to the City’s funding.

We realized JCDC needed to take action to shore up our funding and also make cuts. The key challenge to this strategy hinges on ensuring we have enough funding to drive economic development opportunities toward the county. Therefore, we went on a drive to increase membership funding by $20,000 for the year. We will accomplish this through new membership and also through increases in annual funding by existing members. So far, we have gotten some positive responses and are following up with prospects to receive more.

JCDC is very proud to announce the addition of two partners to the organization:

Benoist Brothers Supply Co. has joined at the Bronze Level, contributing $1,000 to the organization!
Benoist Brothers Supply Co. is a full service wholesale distributor of heating and air conditioning products. Currently the company offers 10 convenient Pro Stock locations in Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana. The management team at Benoist Brothers has over 400 years of HVAC experience and believes that excellence in customer service is their Number One Goal. Their primary distribution location is here in Mt. Vernon, IL at 107 N 16th Street.

NuTherm International, Inc. has joined at the Contributing Level, committing $250 to JCDC! Nutherm International, Inc. established in 1979, is dedicated to providing 1E products to the nuclear power industry and network solutions to the DoD.  Nutherm’s 1E products have evolved to include electrical power distribution equipment, control and
instrumentation panels, instruments and instrumentation systems and over 8000 qualified parts and assemblies. They have expanded their 
markets to include heavily-engineered, custom-built, electrical panels, instrument panels, and distribution equipment for non-safety related applications.

JCDC has received a handful of verbal commitments and additional interest in further supporting our organization. We are excited to share those with you as soon as those commitments are solid. In the meantime, whether you are a current JCDC Partner or not, we invite you to join in our effort to retain, expand and attract businesses and create jobs in Jefferson County. Our membership brochure can be found HERE! You can use it to either join JCDC or increase your membership level! Thanks to all for their continued support!