DIETERICH – A new business is coming to town and the village will pay for a curb cut providing access to the new building expected to open in October.
ENTEC, a commercial heating, ventilation and air conditioning company with business contacts across Illinois, will be the latest commercial project for Dieterich’s eastside industrial park. ENTEC has facilities located in Peoria, Springfield and Mattoon
Earlier this month, Dieterich Village Board approved an agreement with Brian and Lynn Higgs, owners of the future building site, for a curb cut to provide access to ENTEC. That industrial park is in one of three Dieterich Tax Increment Financing Districts, that sets aside property tax revenue to help with commercial development. The village agreed to commit $15,700 in TIF money to pay for road access at 300 Corporate Steet. That roadway and Commerce Street connect the industrial park to Illinois Route 33.
The Higgs will lease the property and building to ENTEC, which has started construction on a 13,000 square foot structure. The targeted opening date is Oct. 1.
ENTEC is familiar with Effingham County and decided Dieterich offered an excellent opportunity for expanding its number of facilities, said Michell Sowell, ENTEC director of marketing and customer support.
“Effingham County stood out to us. The Higgs offered the opportunity to locate in Dieterich. Commercial property is tough for us on our needs for bays in the building and enough space for parking,” Sowell said.
ENTEC works with schools, hospitals and industry across Illinois, she said. Effingham County is familiar with the firm.
The new building will staff up to 15 technicians. Their trucks will be on the road a lot.
There are three buildings already in place on the industrial park, including a car wash, the Wright Family building and the EJ Water operations facility. A sign at one of the entrances of the industrial park shows many of the property lots have been sold with the goal to fill them with businesses.
It was announced during the recent village board meeting that Illinois Department of Transportation plans resurfacing Illinois Route 33 in Dieterich with bidding scheduled in 2027. This work will also improve pedestrian crossings along the highway. The village can seek improvements for side street entrances to the state highway. The local share of the side street work will be 20 percent of the total cost.
An unoccupied house on Railroad Street has been declared dangerous and unsafe by a vote of village trustees. The structure at 105 Railroad (an address confirmed with Effingham County property records though the house number states 104) has produced neighbor complaints regarding excessive weeds, high grass, deterioration of the structure allowing access to animals and an outdoor pool filled with slimy water. A recent inspection confirmed those conditions.
This is a necessary legal step for the village to end the problem and if necessary arrange for demolishing the house. But the property owner, whose name was not clear in county property records, will have an opportunity to appeal in circuit court.
In other business, the trustees learned the Wright Community Center management is offering special after hours in the gym to Center members willing to sign appropriate agreements. The Center lobby closes at 6 p.m. and this change would allow more flexible hours to qualified gym users. More information is available at the Wright Community Center office.
Work is progressing on new concrete runners for older headstones in the Dieterich cemetery.
The next regular Dieterich village board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 3 in the village hall, located at 103 Section St.