The third in our series of articles highlighting the remarks of GREDF Board Chairperson, Connie Schroeder at our 2011 Annual Meeting. 

[share] A look back at HEALTHCARE in the Tri-States in 2010…

An editorial in the Quincy Herald-Whig sums up healthcare in our region best, quote, “Physicians who want a high quality of life for themselves and their families can find it in the Tri-States. In return, they help maintain a quality of life and quality of care for this region,” end quote.

Blessing Hospital’s year-long anniversary celebration was marked by two high points. In March the American Nurses Credentialing Center gave Blessing Hospital Magnet status for nursing quality, an honor earned by only six percent of hospitals in America. In October, the AAIM Employers Association out of Peoria recognized Blessing Health System as its Employer of the Year. The award honors great employers that recognize people as their greatest asset.

We would like to congratulate former GREDF board chairman Brad Billings for being recognized as a Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce 2011 Business Hall of Fame inductee. It is well deserved.

S.I.U. Quincy Family Practice Center just last week received two awards for excellence in the fields of care for diabetes and coronary artery disease. The Family Practice Center ranks among the top 5 percent in the state among similar operations.

In October Quincy Medical Group announced a comprehensive community wellness program called Bridge the Gap to Health. The program combines preventive health care, personal nutrition and fitness and a partnership with Jackie Joyner-Kersee to get people moving toward better health. The Quincy Medical Group Foundation is also partnering with the Salvation Army to raise $2 million dollars for their new emergency shelter. We’d like to take this opportunity to welcome Quincy Medical Group CEO Aric Sharp to the GREDF board.

[share] Adams County unemployment fell again in December to 6.3%. That’s the lowest it’s been since April 2009. Adams County currently ranks 3rd lowest in unemployment out of 102 counties in the state. Unemployment in Quincy dropped 0.7% and now stands at 6.7%.

See the numbers for yourself: visit Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) on the Illinois Department of Employment Security’s Labor Market Information website.

The second in our series of articles highlighting the remarks of GREDF Board Chairperson, Connie Schroeder at our 2011 Annual Meeting. 

A look back at Quincy’s CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT in 2010…

[share] There continues to be a renewed sense of pride in the Central Business District. This is perhaps best displayed in the new image campaign featuring the “It’s where you work, play, shop” tag line. In June, the Historic Quincy Business District announced survey results that revealed 88% of the commercial storefronts in downtown Quincy are occupied. Executive Director Travis Brown gives credit to entrepreneurs and business owners who continue to see potential and invest in the downtown. 

 These business owners may also be encouraged by the wave of development in the central business district. The $24 million dollar Salvation Army Kroc Center is on track to open in August. Multiple locally-owned restaurants are in various stages of development and have either opened or will open very soon. We are pleased to be working with Noi and Tennille Sonethongkham owners of ‘One: Restaurant and Bar’ which is under construction in the former Adams Cinema at 6^th and Hampshire. The business took advantage of our low-interest loan program to renovate the historic building.

 And just outside where you sit tonight, the Franklin Square Apartment Complex is ahead of schedule for a spring opening. You may recall the Mayor announced the $9.2 million dollar, 42-unit apartment complex at our last annual meeting.

 Senior housing developments are also on the horizon for the downtown. The proposed $13 million dollar senior apartment complex that was originally planned for across the street from the Kroc Center is now being proposed for South Eighth Street at the site of the former Quincy Discount Carpet store. The building is expected to have around 65 one- and two-bedroom apartments as well as a library and computer center. Construction could start this fall. City officials are also cautiously optimistic that the former Newcomb Hotel will be redeveloped into a 98-unit assisted living facility. The City has heard that the Chicago-based developers are currently working on obtaining historic tax credits.  

 All of these housing opportunities are fulfilling the void identified by Teska Associates in 1993 of a residential neighborhood within the central business district. The development of these major projects in harmony with the high-end condominiums we are seeing crop up on the square illustrate the personal commitment and confidence Quincy residents have in the future of the downtown.

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 12^th 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 48^th 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.

JOINT STATEMENT FROM ACCIONA AND GLOBAL WINDS HARVEST

GREDF Annual Meeting: January 12, 2011

[share] The Prairie Mills wind project has been an exciting joint venture for ACCIONA and Global Winds Harvest. From the beginning, we saw this project as one of high value set to provide Adams County with renewable energy for years to come. This view has not faltered. Aside from energy production, the Prairie Mills Wind Project will increase property tax revenue, promote long-term income to family owned farms, propel job creation and reduce our nation’s dependency on foreign fossil fuels.

ACCIONA’s resources are currently focused on expanding in other regional markets. For this reason, Global Winds Harvest will take ownership of the project and continue to increase the project’s value while taking it to completion. Both companies have been actively working together to develop this project and are excited to have Global Winds Harvest carry the project forward.  

We would like to thank the Adams County community, the county and township officials, and the landowners for their support of the project. We hope that this support will continue as Global Winds Harvest brings this project to fruition and provides the Adams County community with promising environmental and economic benefits.

 For ACCIONA related inquiries, please contact:

• Erin Hazen, ehazen@acciona-na.com

For ACCIONA media inquiries, please contact:

• Jennifer Lopez, jennifer@ink-pr.com

For Global Winds Harvest related inquiries, please contact:

• Erich Bachmeyer, ebachmeyer@yahoo.com

For Adams County related inquiries, please contact:

• Mike McLaughlin, mkm@adams.net

[share]We held our 2011 Annual Meeting on January 12^th. The theme of GREDF 2.0 was a nod to this new website and the “next generation” of the Great River Economic Development Foundation.

“Technology has changed the speed at which business moves,” says GREDF president Jim Mentesti. “Thanks to our long range plan, we’re ready to move with it. We’re taking what has made us successful as an organization and region – partnerships and collaboration – and enhancing our efforts with the latest tools including a new website, social media and GIS.”

GREDF Board Chairman, Connie Schroeder, president of Illini Community Hospital in Pittsfield gave the presentation which included highlights from the past year. Some of the topics she covered were:

• International trade (Spin Screed) and economic development (Prince Agri Products) awards
• 2010/2011 projects & developments (partial list)

– Scotties Fun Spot
– First Bankers Trust Company
– Franklin Square Apartments
– Bank of Quincy
– Salvation Army Kroc Center
– One Restaurant and Bar
– Quincy University Dormitory
– Residences at Quincy Senior 65-unit housing complex

• Economic indicators – Adams County currently has the 3^rd lowest unemployment out of 102 counties in the State of Illinois
• Workforce Development – JWCC launched a customized aluminum welding program in addition to working with a number of local companies on customized training
• Quality of Life – Quincy was ranked 8^th on Forbes Magazine’s list of Best Small Cities to Raise a Family
• Rural Developments – C&L Tilling purchased the former Methode plant in Golden and the Rural Adams Development Corporation celebrated 10 years in 2010 loaning nearly $2 million since it began
• Tri-State Development Summit – The 2011 Summit will be held October 5^th in Quincy
• Transportation – The Chicago to Kansas City Expressway opened, work continues to bring the Mid America Intermodal Port Authority to fruition and Cape Air continues to report record numbers of passengers

Throughout the coming months and in addition to our regular content, we’ll share portions of the annual meeting speech on this site and through our Linked In, Facebook and Twitter accounts. We look forward to your feedback and hope you will share your own good news in 2011.

[share]The 2011 Tri-State Development Summit will be held October 5^th at the Quincy Community Theater in the Oakley Lindsay Center in Quincy. 2011 marks the 15^th year of bringing together tri-state leaders to define common issues, to develop on-going dialogues to address those issues and to improve the quality of life of the entire region.

2010 Summit activities saw a continuation of the theme of entrepreneurship from the 2009 Summit in Fairfield, Iowa. The entrepreneurship task force held a series of workshops for entrepreneurs in all three states. Highway and river infrastructure improvements continue to remain at the top of the Summit priority list and much progress has been made including the completion of the Chicago to Kansas City Expressway.

Significant validation for the role of the Summit came in the form of census data revealing the potential loss of one seat each in the U.S. House of Representatives for Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. Now more than ever the Summit’s 35 counties must stand together to keep our political leaders aware of the issues our communities and region face.

For more information about the Tri-State Development Summit, visit www.tristateofmind.org.

[share]John Wood Community College continues to be a valued partner in workforce development issues. At a little over a year old, the college’s state-of-the-art workforce development center has become the premier training facility in west central Illinois.

At a time when many communities are just beginning to look at workforce development in response to the national economic climate, the Quincy area is turning out workers that fit local business and industry’s specific needs.

Among the college’s seventeen career training and workforce education programs are truck driver training, electrical technology, construction technology, fire science, nursing, health education, restaurant management and sustainable local foods. JWCC recently launched customized training in aluminum welding in addition to its current welding program in response to area workforce demand.

A number of local companies including Manchester Tank and ADM continue to work with John Wood to develop programs specific to their workforce needs.

All of these initiatives contribute to John Wood Community College’s role as an essential partner in not only workforce development, but also in the retention of our region’s robust manufacturing base.

We know availability of skilled labor ranks near the top of site selection and expansion decisions. That’s why we continue to place a high value on workforce development within our tri-state region.

Read our 2010 press release about the Workforce Development Center Here.

Visit www.jwcc.edu for more information.

Upcoming Workforce Development Event:

GREDF is partnering with John Wood Community College and Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to sponsor a Construction Workshop on February 22nd. It is a day-long event to be held at John Wood’s Workforce Development Center. For more information, contact GREDF at 217-223-4313, gredf@gredf.org or Phil Conover at 217-641-4956, pconover@jwcc.edu.