A Look Back at 2010: Business

Did you miss the 2011 GREDF Annual Meeting? We hope you enjoy this series of articles highlighting the remarks of GREDF Board Chairperson, Connie Schroeder. 

[share] A Look back at BUSINESS in the Quincy and Adams County, Illinois region in 2010…

International trade is growing in the tri-states. Quincy-based Spin Screed, which manufactures the world’s lightest weight power roller screed used in concrete applications, was honored by the U.S. Department of Commerce for their successful entry into five new markets – Australia, Croatia, France, Mexico and South Africa. Spin Screed now serves customers in more than 11 countries thanks in part to assistance provided by the Peoria Export Assistance Center, a GREDF partner.

Broadcast Electronics hosted dignitaries from Saudi Arabia in October to mark the company’s 15-year partnership with Saudi Arabia’s state-run broadcast agency. The Saudi officials, including their Ministry of Culture and Information, were also in Quincy to preview a new transmitter. Canadian-based Nautel, a recent broadcast company to the area, is expanding its workforce and presence in the Quincy Business and Technology Center. Along with Harris, these companies are the reason Quincy is considered the broadcast equipment capital of the world.

Speaking of the Quincy Business and Technology Center, Winegard Company out of Burlington has opened an electrical design product group at the facility. Winegard chose Quincy because of the availability of qualified electrical engineers in our area. The company received the 2009 Tri-State Development Summit Iowa Entrepreneurship Award for its contributions to the television reception industry and Burlington region.

Although the Quincy area did feel the sting of Gardner Denver’s decision to move its global corporate headquarters from Quincy to Philadelphia, we are pleased that the company remains committed to the region. Their corporate support services, including compliance, human resources, information technologies, accounting, treasury and transaction processing will all remain in Quincy as will the Industrial Products Group headquarters and compressor and pump manufacturing operations. Another reason to be positive about the future of Gardner Denver in our area – the company is expanding its workforce initiatives with the help of GREDF, John Wood Community College and the Workforce Investment Board in order to meet its growing demand for skilled employees.

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce and Illinois Development Council honored another South Quincy Development District company with a 2010 Economic Development in Illinois Award. Prince Agri Products received the EDIE in recognition of their 165,000-square-foot manufacturing, warehousing and laboratory facilities. The $18 million dollar project created 41 new jobs and retained 59.

Scotties Fun Spot celebrated the grand opening of its $2.5 million dollar, 15,000 square-foot expansion in December. Scotties doubled its payroll to about 50 employees and is becoming a regional tourist attraction with its laser tag arena, three-story ball-o-city and arcade. GREDF Entrepreneurship specialist Charles Bell worked with the Scott family in acquiring the financing.

Banks in Quincy are also expanding. First Bankers Trust Company broke ground in April on a 30,000-square-foot complex at the corner of 12th and Broadway. The new downtown Quincy landmark is on schedule to be completed by April. A satellite facility for Bank of Quincy is currently under construction at 48th and Broadway. The new facility will have the same look as its downtown headquarters and better serve the bank’s east-end customers.

We would like to note some of the 2010 business anniversaries in the region. Congratulations to Farm and Home Supply for 50 years, Dot Foods also 50 years, Blessing Hospital which celebrated 135 years, Ursa Farmers Cooperative for 90 years, the Quincy Herald Whig and its precursor Bounty Line Register for 175 years and State Street Bank for 120 years in business. It’s because of these and all our area businesses that we continue to thrive as a region today. Congratulations also to the Quincy Business and Technology Center on 25 years of helping businesses grow.