Illinois presented 23 localities with honors for the 2018 Governor’s Hometown Awards program, during a special reception at the Governor’s Mansion on Tuesday, November 20, 2018.
Morrison Loft 112 was represented by Kim Ewoldsen, left, Executive Director of Morrison Area Development Corporation; Jerry Lindsey, MADC President; Barry Dykhuizen, right, Morrison City Administrator. Ewoldson and Dykhuizen displayed the sign for Lindsey.
Morrison Loft 112, a local artist retail cooperative, was created by the Morrison Area Development Corporation (the City’s economic development partner) in 2017. The community’s strong connection to the arts, combined with an annual arts-community event, became the major reasons the group considered creating a retail art gallery.
The project received strong support, and Loft 112 opened December 15, 2017. The Loft opened with ten artists and is now home to more than 50, including several alumni.
MADC and the City Council wanted to develop an arts, cultural, and entertainment district–the only one of its kind in the Region.
In June 2017, the Council approved a resolution establishing such a district. It was initially promotional, but MADC is working to create financial incentives, for entities that decide to establish a business within the district.
The unique success of Loft 112 is based on using all volunteer staff.
The Governor’s Hometown Awards program gives formal recognition to communities that contributed to their community’s quality of life, via projects that had strong volunteer support, met a need, and made a definitive impact.
Presented since 1983, projects are sponsored by local units of Government that generate a positive outcome in the community and, by extension, the State.
The program is administered by the Serve Illinois Commission, the Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism, and Community Service.