Representing Quincy & Adams County

Adams County, IL – Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF) had the privilege of being invited to present to Governor Bruce Rauner’s Rural Affairs Council, on Thursday, December 1^st during the council’s quarterly meeting. The Rural Affairs Council is chaired by Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti and comprised of senior representatives from multiple Illinois agencies.

Joi Cuartero Austin, marketing & communications for GREDF gave a 10-minute presentation during the meeting and was joined by Ryan McCrady, president of Economic Development Corporation of Decatur & Macon County, as well as Jonathon D. Hallberg executive director of Jefferson County Development Corporation.

The three spoke on a regional economic development panel answering questions for the council from various Illinois agencies including, Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Department of Employment Security, Finance Authority, State Board of Education, Department of Transportation and others.

The group covered topics from workforce development strategies, including working in tandem with our educational institutions and attracting/retaining millennials by investing in quality of life features, to regional development successes and challenges and the need for additional state investment incentives. Additionally, the panel was asked about suggestions for reform including workers compensation.

The Governor’s Rural Affairs Council (GRAC) was founded in 1986 by executive order to serve as a link between state and local agencies to improve the delivery of State of Illinois services, to support innovative rural development initiatives, and recommend programs and policies to help improve the quality of rural life in Illinois.

For more information, contact Joi Cuartero Austin at GREDF (217) 223-4313.

Great River Economic Development Foundation is a 501(c)6 not-for-profit organization with a mission to maintain and improve the economic vitality of Quincy and Adams County, IL through the retention and expansion of existing businesses and the attraction of new businesses to our communities.