Nonprofit group’s director wants Paxton, Gibson City to team up
PAXTON – The new leader of a nonprofit group dedicated to improving Ford County’s economy thinks Paxton and Gibson City could easily compete with their Champaign County neighbor, Rantoul, to attract new businesses and economic growth if they work toward one common goal.
Diane Johnson, in her new part-time position as executive director of the Community Economic Development Foundation, said she hopes to strengthen working relationships between Paxton and Gibson City. She thinks it’s in the best interest of both cities when new business or industry comes to either town.
Johnson plans to create what she calls a “Route 9 economic corridor” connecting the two, both physically and through better communication.
“I see the executive director’s position as one of a coordinator, facilitator and marketing director,” she said. “The overall success of the organization, though, really comes down to cooperation among community leaders and highly committed volunteers who truly believe Ford County is a great place to live and do business.”
Johnson, who assumed her duties this week, replaced retiring Director John Goldrick.
Johnson said she hopes greater cooperation among the county’s towns will help not only Ford County’s economy, but the surrounding area’s as well.
“I am excited about the position and look forward to bringing energy, innovation, and cooperation to” the economic development foundation, Johnson said. “It’s an opportunity to bring all the expertise from my former work experiences to a job that will benefit the entire county.”
Johnson, who lives in Paxton, is a lifelong resident of the county. She spent the majority of her employment as partner in her family’s insurance and real estate business, Johnson & Johnson in Paxton. In 2005 she retired from there, but she has continued operating her other business, a tax preparation and financial services office, on a part-time basis.
Johnson was the best choice for the economic development foundation director’s post due to her set of skills and knowledge of the community, said Randy Ferguson of Gibson City, who serves as the Foundation president and is a member of the Ford County Board.
Johnson was chosen for the position from among nine applicants.
“She had the right skill set, and she knows her community very well,” Ferguson said.