FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Sarah Miller
Public Relations & Media Director
304 Eighth Street
Charleston, IL 61920
217-348-8475
smiller@insidethegreenbox.com
www.greenmillvillage.com
MULTIMEDIA ELEMENTS:
Video: GMV’s Impact on the Local Economy
Photos: High Resolution GMV Construction Photos
Logo: GMV Logo
March 3, 2009
Green Mill Village Bringing Economic Boost to Central Illinois
Construction, local partnerships offer employment opportunities
Arcola, Ill. – With the second wave of construction on Green Mill Village (GMV) set to begin within the next few months, developers are certain the project will provide an economic boost to Arcola and the surrounding communities.
Feutz Contractors, Inc. of Paris, Ill. completed infrastructure work on the roads, sewer and water lines and storm water control in December. The construction of the hotel, conference center, spa and restaurant will begin this spring along with the GMV Retail Center. A service station and out lot restaurant are also planned for this phase of construction.
“In order to boost the local economy, GMV will utilize as many local contractors as possible during each of the construction phases,” said Bob McElwee, developer/partner. “A majority of the construction materials will also be provided by local vendors, which reduces our transportation costs and our impact on the environment.”
The breakdown of employment figures for the upcoming phase of construction is as follows:
Hotel, Conference Center, Spa: Max 95 people
Retail Area: Max 20 – 25 people
Service Station, C-Store: Max 10 – 15 people
Out Lot Restaurant: Max 25 – 35 people
With a strong focus on the sustainability of the local communities, GMV is utilizing several local entrepreneurs and businesses for the design of the décor as well.
Working with LaVerne Schlabach of Das Holz Haus in rural Tuscola, McElwee and his team have completed the one-of-a-kind designs for the dressers, beds and other furnishings that will be featured throughout GMV. Opening day does not mean that the local partner’s involvement with the project is complete as their goods will also be available to purchase at GMV’s Retail Center, said Sarah Miller, public relations and media director.
“Essentially, everything you see in your hotel room will be available to purchase in the Retail Center,” Miller said. “Each time a guest purchases one of these items it creates or maintains a job for someone in our community.”
In addition to furniture, the Retail Center will offer breads, coffee, jellies, jams, snacks, lotions, soaps, candles and other locally made products. A selection of gift baskets featuring local goods in currently available through McElwee’s product company Family Journeys.
“We are very fortunate to have these valuable local businesses and entrepreneurs in our own backyard,” Miller said. “GMV will provide new opportunities for them to showcase their products to the public. Our goal is for guests to see these items at GMV and then venture out into the communities to meet the producers.”
Announcements on the hotel, spa and the local businesses that will be a part of GMV either as suppliers or tenants in the Retails Center are expected to take place during the next few months. Wind turbine production in also slated for the announcement list.
“One of the components of sustainability is to protect the local people and their environment. Each guest that visits GMV will contribute to our local communities, whether they realize it or not,” Miller said.
For more information about Green Mill Village, visit www.greenmillvillage.com or contact Sarah Miller, Public Relations & Media Director at smiller@insidethegreenbox.com.
A video presentation about GMV’s impact on the economy and high resolution construction photos are also available in the Media section of the Web site.
About Green Mill Village
Green Mill Village (GMV) is scheduled to open in 2010 and will include a hotel/conference center, spa, restaurants, retail center and education center – powered by wind turbines and solar power. Developers have said this will provide a new way of thinking about tourism and community development. They will focus on bringing innovation in energy, agriculture and wellness together into one destination.
Located in the heart of Illinois Amish country, Green Mill Village is in the center of a triangle formed by the three major cities of St. Louis, Indianapolis and Chicago, and just over two hours from each. The conference center, hotel and spa facility will be designed with a 1940s era theme, reminding visitors of a simpler time with a slower pace. The conference center will accommodate meetings for 200 people with a staff trained to support "green" meetings.
Green Mill Village will emphasize key elements of responsible tourism, which include not only environmental considerations but also respect and appreciation for different cultures and ensuring that the local people benefit economically from tourism activities.
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