Hundreds of leaders from the tri-state region of northeast Missouri, southeast Iowa and western Illinois, are scheduled to attend the Tri-State Development Summit “Stronger Together,” to be held on Friday, November 18 at Iowa Wesleyan University – 601 N. Main St. Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Registration is still open, and all are welcome to attend.

With economic development at the forefront of conversation, the Summit has invited Jay Williams, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development to be the keynote speaker during the morning session.

As the Administrator of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), Williams is charged with leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the global economy.

Prior to joining the Department of Commerce, Jay served as the executive director of the Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers. In this capacity, he worked directly with state and local stakeholders in areas affected by the changing American automotive industry to deliver federal support to ensure they returned to better economic condition.

State updates will also be given by Chris Koster, Missouri Attorney General and candidate for Governor, as well as Jim Schultz, co-founder and CEO of Intersect Illinois and former director of the Illinois Department of Commerce.

In addition, Randall S. Blankenhorn, Patrick McKenna and Paul Trombino, the three directors of transportation for Illinois, Missouri and Iowa respectively, will join guests to talk about what the future of transportation looks like for the region, and in their states. Directors will cover topics from new technologies, to how we transform how we design and build our transportation infrastructure.

New this year, guests will be able to experience transportation technology in action with a 2015 Tesla on display. Demonstration rides in the vehicle featuring the autopilot function will be available to guests of the Summit. Space is limited for the demonstration rides, and summit attendees must contact info@tristateofmind.com to reserve a timeslot.

“What an exciting time in transportation with the advent of driverless vehicles,” states Patrick Poepping, Tri-State Summit committee member. “How this, and other technological advances, effects the three DOTs in the tri-state area should make for some very interesting reports at this year’s Tri-State Development Summit in Mount Pleasant. I look forward to hearing from all three of our top transportation officials on how their departments are preparing for & implementing to these fast pace changes in the transportation field.”

Tickets for the summit are $40 and include: a morning session, networking lunch with awards and recognition, and an afternoon session.

Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF) is partnering with Illinois Department of Employment Security (IEDS) on the inaugural Warriors to the Workforce, a veteran’s hiring event. The event is free and will be held this Friday, October 21 from 4pm to 7pm in the Oakley Lindsay Center – 300 Civic Center Plaza in Quincy, IL.

“The experience, discipline and maturity offered by veterans applying for positions at our company make them an essential part of our culture,” states Daniel Henke, General Manager of Farm and Home Stores. “We feel they are an obvious choice when qualifications are even close. It’s important to us for many reasons but simply put, they make great associates with long term growth potential.”

Guests will be able to visit with several businesses of varied industries in the Lindsay and Quincy rooms, located on the second floor of the Oakley Lindsay Center. Featured businesses include:

• AFLAC,
• Blessing Health Systems,
• DOT Foods,
• Farm & Home Supply,
• Fastenal Corporation,
• Goodwill Industries,
• Illinois Veterans’ Home – Quincy,
• Manpower,
• Marion County Services,
• Mark Twain Casino,
• Niemann Foods, Inc.,
• Northwest Mutual,
• Quincy Public Schools – Transportation Department,
• Quincy Recycle,
• Quincy Workforce Service Center,
• Sinclair Broadcasting / KHQA / WICS / KTVO / KRCG,
• Schneider St. Louis Operating Center,
• Vatterott College,
• Walmart

The Inspire Works program will also be featured for patrons to learn more about starting their free online profile, and for businesses to sign up and connect with local workforce.

“As part of GREDF’s overall workforce strategy, providing an opportunity for our business partners to interact with Veterans is an important value added activity,” continues Marcel Wagner, GREDF president. “This will benefit both our companies and those who have sacrificed to serve our country as well. We owe a debt to our Veterans and this is one small way to show our appreciation.”

Great River Economic Development Foundation has partnered with USDA Rural Development to produce this first Rural Resource Rally. We invite the press to attend the Rural Resource Rally on Wednesday, October 12 anytime between 9:30a and 3p.

The Rural Resource Rally concept is to provide a way for community organizations to present and connect with several regional, state and national funding agencies at one time. Likewise, the funding agencies can learn more about projects in need of funding in the western Illinois region.

Applications were received from public entities and non-profit organizations where ten groups were selected to present their project to the funding agencies. After each presentation, individual agencies will explain possible available funding for the project presented, and contact information will be exchanged for further discussion at a later date.

“The Rally is a great opportunity to be able to present to numerous agencies at once instead of searching for each individual opportunity,” said Larry Nicholl, fundraising committee member and presenter on behalf of The Legacy Theater in Carthage, IL. “It’s great to come to one place to meet and make connections with funders for our project.”

Applications to present at the Rural Resource Rally were considered based on regional economic development strategies and impact on the western Illinois region. Eligible projects should have a regional impact with a location in Adams, Brown, Hancock, Knox, McDonough, Pike, Schuyler and Warren. Leading agency of the project must be a public entity or non-profit organization.

Presenting organizations include: BBC Rehab of Bushnell, IL Freight Depot, Grown N Gathered, Two Rivers Regional Council Healthy Homes, JWCC Southeast Education Center, Mid America Intermodal Port, Payson Community Fiber Project, Quincy Brewery & Arts, The Knowledge Center at Chaddock, The Legacy Theater and Madonna House Prevention Program.

All are welcome to join Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF) and partners at GatesAir, the world’s largest broadcast manufacturing facilities, to kick off Adams County Manufacturing month. Press Conference to be held Friday, October 14, at 8:15a in GatesAir at 3200 Wismann Lane in Quincy, IL, followed by a tour.

According to the official MFG Day website, “Manufacturing Day is a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers.” With thousands of events around the nation, Manufacturing Day gives people an opportunity to connect with their local manufacturers and learn more about various industries. Manufactures open their doors to showcase their business and talk about common misconceptions.

GREDF president Marcel Wagner will give introductions, followed by Quincy Area Vocational Technical Center director Mark Pfleiger and John Wood Community College president Mike Elbe regarding school investment in manufacturing education. Workforce Innovation Board director, Blanche Shoup along with VP of global operations at GtesAir, Bryant Burke will address guests regarding grants that have been provided for customized training in manufacturing. The press conference will close with Mayor Kyle Moore and Deb Waldrop of the State Workforce Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to address both the City and State Proclamations for Manufacturing Day.

“The manufacturing sector provides quality job opportunities, requiring technical skills and a good work ethic,” states Blanche Shoup, director of Workforce Investment Board. “Through the efforts of the Adams County Workforce Teams these skill gaps are being addressed in Adams County and The Workforce Innovation Board of Western Illinois is excited to be a partner in celebrating Manufacturing Month.”

A Manufacturing Expo will also be held on Friday, October 14 in John Wood Community College Workforce Development Center at 4220 Kochs Lane from 12p-2p. The expo is free and open to the pubic with the following vendors:

Moss Enterprise – 3D Equipment

Advance Technology – Industrial Maintenance equipment

DEPCO Enterprises – ABB Robotics equipment

Fastenal – Industrial Supplies

MSC – Industrial Supplies

GatesAir – Products & Careers

Doyle Manufacturing – Product and Careers

Knapheide Manufacturing – Product and Careers

ADM – Products and careers

Tool Keepers – Custom Tool Kitting and Inserts

Spartan Light Metal Products – Products and careers

Juniors and seniors from thirteen (13) area schools will also take part in celebrating with tours of various manufacturing businesses, working to engage students early on with the manufacturing field.

The following businesses are participating by providing tours for our students to ask questions about the industry: Phibro Animal Health Corporation, Titan Wheel Corporation of Illinois, Hollister Whitney Elevator Corp., GatesAir, Craig Industries, Timewell Drainage Products and Midwest Patterns.

There are over 100 manufacturers in Quincy & Adams County, with 26% of the region’s workforce in manufacturing, giving us all the more reason to join in celebrating Manufacturing Day in our community.