The team at Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF) welcomed all to attend their annual meeting on Wednesday, January 9 in the Oakley Lindsay Center (OLC), 300 Civic Center Plaza.
Networking and cash bar was available in the OLC foyer at 5:15 PM with a brief program at 6:00 PM inside the Quincy Community Theater. The presentation acknowledged the work our companies and community organizations are doing with regards to workforce development strategies and being ready for our future workforce.
“Over the past twelve (12) months we have experienced record low unemployment,” explained Angela Caldwell, workforce development director for GREDF.“ Businesses in Adams County / Quincy, IL continue to expand and are in need of work ready candidates to employ.” These reasons are why the Adams County Works Teams are so important.
Caldwell goes on to say, “It is imperative we equip current workers with the advanced interpersonal skills needed for future promotions, as well as reach into our institutions of learning and provide real time information and training for our future talent pipeline.”
“It has been amazing to experience the growth in the community over the past 5 years, but with growth brings new challenges,” states GREDF president, Marcel Wagner. “At the meeting guests heard about those challenges, specifically with workforce, and how businesses are developing innovative approaches to meet these challenges.”
Wagner continues, “Guests also heard from nationally recognized expert, Colleen Walton, on what communities need to do in the future to continue the growth that has been part of our success.”
Walton is a marketing strategist for Brand Acceleration in Oralndo, Florida. Walton works in brand and marketing program implementation for various communities and is an active member of several Economic Development Councils. Additional speakers include Quincy Mayor, Kyle Moore and County Chairman, Kent Snider.
