May 2013 | Great River Economic Develpment

Calling All Entrepreneurs

May 20, 2013

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So you want to start a business…

gredf-entreprenuership-center-growing-businesses-in-adams-county-il

Have you ever thought about starting your own business?

Do you have a skill or hobby that you would like to market?

Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials which serves Adams, Brown, Pike and Schuyler Counties, is trying to find individuals in the communities it serves who may be interested in starting their own business.

If you or someone you know has thought about starting a business, the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Committee would like to hear from you! Please consider filling out this very short survey regarding your entrepreneurial interests. The information you provide will help the CEDS Committee develop a program that will support entrepreneurs and future business owners.

CLICK HERE to take the survey!

Two Rivers Economic Development District is a group of local business and community leaders dedicated to improving the regional economic climate in their communities. For more information, visit http://www.trrcopo.org/.

Quincy Entrepreneurship Center

Ready… Set… Grow.

Get the answers you need to start a business or grow an existing one from experts in business development and entrepreneurship. We help you cut through the tangle of resources and make the right connections to achieve your goals.

Our services are free and confidential and include:

One-on-one business counseling
Business plan assistance
Financial analysis and planning assistance
Location assistance
Business education and training opportunities
Investor, industry contacts and service provider introductions
Grant and loan information
International trade assistance
Management training
Market analysis
Mentor matchmaking
Networking
Illinois Entrepreneurship Network partner referrals

Visit our Quincy Entrepreneurship Center page for more information.

Building a Better Workforce

May 1, 2013

Summit Brings Leaders Together to Develop a Vision for Long-Term Change

[share]Last week more than 40 leaders came together to discuss workforce development issues in Adams County and to develop a shared vision for long-term change. The event facilitator assisted the group with identifying and prioritizing the area’s workforce challenges and building a framework for future collaboration.

Participants included representatives from secondary and post-secondary education, regional and local development groups, staffing services and a number of community-based agencies that all have some involvement in workforce development.

The United Way of Adams County, the Workforce Investment Board of Western Illinois, John Wood Community College and GREDF hosted the event because we recognize the importance of maintaining a skilled and reliable workforce in our area.

“The availability of skilled labor has become a key factor in site selection and expansion decisions,” noted GREDF President Marcel Wagner. “Our ability to retain and attract businesses directly impacts the well-being of our region and the ability of our families to be financially self-sufficient.”

You may recall our last eDevelopments included findings from a recent survey conducted by Area Development Magazine detailing top site selection factors. Labor costs and availability of skilled labor ranked number one and number three respectively.

A steering committee is being assembled to build strategies and address the challenges and goals identified by the group. If you or your organization is interested in being a part of this steering committee, please contact Megan Backs at 217.223.4313 or meganb@gredf.org.