As part of Manufacturing Day, and to recognize the new Tri-State MakerFest, Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF) invites the community to a press conference and facility tour on Tuesday, October 3 at 9a in Craig Industries at the 401 Delaware Campus – 401 Delaware St. Quincy, IL.

Craig Industries is the leading manufacturer in high quality insulated building panels for various industries from wine, beer and walk-in coolers, to industrial buildings and clean rooms. The tour following the press conference will be of the manufacturing buildings, as well as the office in the old firehouse.

Marcel Wagner, GREDF president will kick off the press conference followed by, Workforce Innovation Board (WIB) director Blanche Shoup on manufacturing partnerships. Quincy Area Vocational Technical Center (QAVTC) director, Kaleb Smith will speak on classes and partnerships with our manufacturing companies, as John Wood Community College president Mike Elbe updates on the Workforce Development Center. Josh Craig of Craig Industries will then showcase their new building and expansion. The press conference will conclude with HOMEBANK president, Mark Hayes regarding the upcoming MakerFest and Mayor Kyle Moore will close with the Manufacturing Day Proclamation presentation.

“We are always thrilled to celebrate Manufacturing Day,” states Angela Caldwell, director of workforce development at GREDF. “Much of our efforts involve partnerships we facilitate with our manufacturing businesses.” Caldwell continues, “What’s even more exciting is the new MakerFest, replacing the Manufacturing Expo. At MakerFest, we can expose both students and the public to even more of our manufacturing and logistics companies. People can see what these businesses do, how they innovate, and learn about opportunities.”

“I think the public will be amazed at the products that are made right here in the tri-state area” agrees Mark Hayes, HOMEBANK president. “Wheels, truck beds, animal feed, compressors, cleaning products and more are manufactured here and shipped all over the globe. We encourage the public to see what an impact our area has on the world.”

The Tri-State MakerFest will be held on Wednesday, October 18 from 9a-6p in the Oakley Lindesay Center, 300 Civic Center Plaza and is open to the public from 1:30p – 3:30p.

Participating businesses and organizations include:

MakerFest is sponsored by HOMEBANK and in partnership with John Wood Community College, Workforce Innovation Board of Western IL, West Central Region Education for Employment System #240 / Quincy Area Vocational & Technical Center.

Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF) invites regional manufacturing and logistics businesses, large and small, to take part in the first Tri-State MakerFest, to be held on Wednesday, October 18 from 9a-6p in the Oakley Lindesay Center, 300 Civic Center Plaza.

Tri-State MakerFest, sponsored by HOMEBANK, is a celebration of our manufacturing and logistics businesses and takes the place of Manufacturing Day. The event enables us to showcase more of our local businesses to area students (high school 9-12) and job seekers, giving guests an in-depth look at the manufacturing and logistics world, while promoting available opportunities.

“In banking, we know how important it is for area residents to have stable, well-paying jobs, like those in the manufacturing industry,” states Mark Hayes, HOMEBANK Community Bank President. “This is an opportunity to expose our high school students to this career path. The event is important to the future of our workforce and the economic viability of our community. ”

Business can participate in various ways including:

• Setting up tech demonstrations to showcase company innovations,
• Having a display of equipment, robotics or video presentation,
• Presenting something interactive,
• Having an exhibit for students and job seekers to promote available opportunities, discuss skills needed and take applications.

HOMEBANK president Mark Hayes continues, “At this event, companies can begin the recruitment process for their next generation of workers. What a great way to show our students the importance of manufacturing in our area.”

Businesses can register online at www.gredf.org under the Workforce Development tab. There, companies have a choice of booth size starting at $70, with option for both indoor and outdoor display. RSVP Deadline is Friday, September 22.

MakerFest is also in partnership with John Wood Community College, Workforce Innovation Board of Western IL, West Central Region Education for Employment System #240 / Quincy Area Vocational & Technical Center.

We invited you to join Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF) and partners on Thursday, August 24 at 11:00a in the Oakley Lindsay Center Foyer, 300 Civic Center Plaza, for a press conference and check presentation from the Heroes at Heartland event.

Heroes at Heartland took place on Saturday, August 5^th with 200+ veterans and their family members in attendance, 50+ volunteers helping with registration, rides and activities, and 42 side x side owners, for a total of 300 attendees.

The check presentation was for $8500 in sponsorship raised to split between the Honor Flight and the Tri-State Warriors! Additionally, Titan raffled off a set of tires for our volunteer side x side drivers, and presented the tires to the winner, Kevin Spangs, volunteer participant and also a veteran.

Quincy Mayor Kyle Moore kicked off the program, followed by GREDF president, Marcel Wagner presenting the checks to both Honor Flight and Tri-State Warriors. A representative from Titan presented the tires to raffle winner Kevin Spangs and Ron Wallace, general manager of the Herald-Whig and VP or Newspapers concluded the presentation.

We invite you to join us on Monday, August 21 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for “Eclipse on the River” to view the solar eclipse at Clat Adams Park on the Riverwalk. The solar eclipse in Quincy, IL will begin at 11:47 a.m., with maximum coverage at 1:14 p.m. and ending at 2:40 p.m.

Free eclipse viewing glasses will be given out to the first 150 guests, courtesy of Potter & Vaughn, with a suggested donation to Quincy Art Center. If you don’t have viewing glasses, Quincy Art Center will be providing materials for pinhole viewers for all to use.

Schedule of Activities

11:00 a.m – Live Stream of the Eclipse via NASA EDGE Megacast on the big screen thanks to Mobile Entertainer,

11:00 a.m. – y101radio live broadcast at the riverfront hosted by Michael Rose,

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Food by The Butcher Block,

11:30 a.m. – Music by Rodney Hart & Friends of Second String Music at 5th & Maine,

12:00 p.m. – BYO Yoga mat for Moon Child Yoga & Meditation by Mahala of the new The Bodhi Tree Studio,

12:30 p.m. – Talk & Healing Meditation with Mahala,

1:00 p.m. – WGEM News Talk Live! 60 minute broadcast from Clat Adams Park, hosted by Greg Harley

Arts Quincy will provide additional activities and bottled water will be given out courtesy of Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce.

“This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” states Joi Cuartero Austin, marketing & communications at Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF) and co-organizer of the event. “The last continent wide eclipse has not happened since 1776! We wanted to have a place where people could view this experience together, and the Riverwalk was a perfect location. We are thrilled to gather community at this one place.”

Additionally, Amtrak & Illinois DOT are promoting Quincy, IL as an alternative location to view the eclipse, encouraging same day trips from Chicago and the subsequent stops. The Quincy Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is providing a free shuttle from Quincy Depot to “Eclipse on the River” along with a self guided itinerary of afternoon dining and sight seeing in The District. Shuttle service will be continuous from Quincy Depot to the Riverfront from noon to 1:00 p.m, with continuous return shuttle from Washington Park (5^th and Maine) to Quincy Depot from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

“Eclipse on the River” is brought to you in partnership with Great River Economic Development Foundation, The District, Quincy Right on Q, Arts Quincy and the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Adams County Works Transition Planning Team hosted their free lunch & learn seminar on Wednesday, August 16 from 12p-1p. The workshop was held in the John Wood Community College private dining room, adjacent to the cafeteria, at 1301 S. 48^th St. in Quincy, IL.

This quarter, the featured topic was The Art Of Sales, with guest speaker R.J. (Bob) Ley, VP of sales and marketing for Western Catholic Union. As a seasoned veteran of the insurance industry, Ley spent his entire career in sales in marketing, working with some of the largest companies in the world including, AID American General, Mutual of Omaha, and Southern Financial Group to name a few.

“Sales truly is an ART form,” states Ley. He then asks, “Are you a master, or do you finger-paint?” During the seminar, Ley hopes to provide guests with the tools to paint their masterpiece.

Craig Moncey, co-leader of the Transition Planning Team relays, “There is one thing you are ALWAYS selling, no matter what you say or do, regardless of which business you are in, wherever you are, whatever you are doing – and that one thing is YOU.” Craig continues, “People do business with people they know, like and trust. The upcoming workshop will allow me the opportunity better communicate how I am the ‘product or service’ that can help people.”

The mission of the Adams County Works – Transition Planning Team is: Nurturing current employees to help advance their level of workplace essential skills to sustain and grow the organization’s competitive advantage.

The Team provides quarterly seminars focused on topics most requested by surveyed groups.  Topics include: Networking and Personal Branding; Time Management; Managing Teams; and Sales. Stay tuned for upcoming seminars.

On Wednesday, June 7 the Adams County Works Transition Planning Team hosted a free lunch & learn seminar on Networking & Personal Branding from 12p-1p, at Riverside Smoke House & Grill, 222 S. 3rd St. in Quincy, IL.

During the luncheon, guest speaker Zach Hesterberg, founder of SoZesty Social Media Marketing, presented on what a personal brand is and how to develop a personal brand using social media.

“Perception!  Perception!  Perception! Do people realize the way we are perceived can make or break a career?” States Angela Caldwell, workforce development director at Great River Economic Development Foundation. “Networking and Personal Branding is really all about perception and managing the immediate opinion people form until they can get to know who a person really is.”

Tara Hanson, co-leader of the Transition Planning Team attended the luncheon and feels strongly about continuous improvement. “No matter your age or where you are in your career path, there is always room to grow.” Tara continues, “The upcoming Networking and Personal Branding seminar will allow me the opportunity to hear non-traditional ways to promote myself! Who isn’t looking to better themselves personally or professionally.”

SoZesty is a full service social media marketing agency, creating content strategies and consulting with various clients on social media platforms.

The mission of the Adams County Works – Transition Planning Team is: Nurturing current employees to help advance their level of workplace essential skills to sustain and grow the organization’s competitive advantage.

The Team provides quarterly seminars focused on topics most requested by surveyed groups.  Topics include: Networking and Personal Branding; Time Management; Managing Teams; and Sales. Stay tuned for upcoming seminars.