LONG CREEK - If you blink, you might miss Long Creek while heading down U.S. 36 or traveling along Illinois 121.
The biggest problem is the confusion about where the village is, said Cheryl A. Smith, who was elected president of the village in April.
"They have no clue where they live; people don't know whether they live in the village or township (of Long Creek)," she said.
"Heading south on (Illinois) 121 on the east side is the village and on the west side is the township. It can get very confusing."
Smith said she has been trying to work with the county to put together a map that specifies the township and village boundaries.
The village was incorporated in 1980, when the population was about 1,100. Now, it's peaking at 1,600, Smith said.
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Village boundaries are those areas along U.S. 36 East, from RP Lumber to Macon County Highway 57, and from Hawthorn Suites on Mount Zion Road to Ashland Estates on Illinois 121.
Long Creek Township includes the village and areas east on U.S. 36 down to County Line Road in Moultrie County, west to Country Club Road, south to Camp Warren Road and north to Lake Decatur past Illinois 105.
When it comes to some of the needs in the village, Smith is hoping to see more business development.
The village has one park off Salem School Road that is adjacent to the township office building. There is no police department as village officials rely on the services of the Macon County Sheriff's Office.
Smith, however, believes newer businesses, such as Sliders Bar and Grill and Timbuktu along U.S. 36 East, have helped to boost the village's economy over the past couple of years.
"That is what we are looking for, more businesses, because we have more people moving out to this area," she said.
Liquor sales were not allowed until 1999, when voters approved an ordinance prompted by Casey's General Store wanting to come to the village.
That ordinance opened the doors for other businesses such as Sliderz and Timbuktu to open in the village and sell liquor.
David and Sherri Birch are the owners of Sliderz.
The couple owns the Long Creek Plaza and just leased space in the strip to a medical supply company opening within the next few months.
"We were just putting up commercial building in this area. Then everyone kept saying they need some kind of bar and grill after Mount Zion changed its liquor laws," Sherri Birch said.
"During the week, between lunch and dinner, is when we get our biggest crowd. Our goal was just to have a sports bar for people to watch sporting events, have a beer and unwind," said Birch, an avid St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Bears fan. "So it's nice having the business located out here."
Birch said Sliderz differs from Timbuktu by providing live pop/rock band for entertainment Fridays and Saturdays, where Timbuktu has more country music bands.
"It's kind of a good compliment that way," she added.
The Birches also are industrious in completing a housing subdivision, Birchwood Estates, which is located in the township.
Most of the new homes are going up in the subdivision located in the township and not the village, said Kevin Greenfield, Long Creek township supervisor.
He also served as mayor of Long Creek village from 1998 to 2005.
"I was never one to promote growth for homes because the village didn't have property tax, and it would have cost us more to put in and maintain the roads," Greenfield said. As developers bought the land, the village chose not to annex the property.
He said Long Creek Township is one of few townships in the state that operates its own water supply. The township's five water towers provide water to 2,800 customers in Long Creek, Mount Zion, Oakley, LaPlace, Lake City, South Wheatland and Dalton City.
Glen Calhoun, who became one of the new faces on the village board after April's election, is hoping to make sound decisions that will impact the future growth of the village.
He said U.S. 36 East is ripe with possibilities for development.
"The economy right now has slowed things down," Calhoun said. "But the village has the potential to grow. The village and township are both nice communities to live."
"There are a lot of available lots for sale, even though there are no houses being built. I think we need businesses like a Lowe's, Menards or Home Depot on this side. And it can happen once the economy turns around."
