Adams County, IL – All are welcome to attend the Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF) annual meeting Wednesday, January 8, in the Oakley Lindsay Center (OLC) located at 300 Civic Center Plaza. Networking and a cash bar begin at 5:00 PM in the OLC foyer, with the program beginning at 6:00 PM inside the Quincy Community Theater.

New this year, GREDF will recognize two (2) 2019 recipients of the Thomas A. Oakley Award for Economic Innovation. The Archer Daniels Midland Company operations in Quincy, IL, receives an award for their recent investment in community, infrastructure and technology, making Adams County, IL a hub for grains and oilseeds transported both nationally and internationally. Additionally, the Quincy, IL 2019 City Council receives an award for the passage of the 45×30 plan to creatively grow Quincy’s population through a multi-phase proposal, which includes talent attraction, tourism and retail initiatives.

“ADM is honored to receive the 2019 Award for Economic Innovation,” said Mark Stephens, ADM Director Commercial Development, Global Feed Additives. “This community is where we work, where our families live, and where our children go to school. We’re proud to have invested tens of thousands of dollars supporting great programs and organizations ranging from Horizons Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry to the Adams County Farm Bureau Foundation and Quincy Public Schools. We look forward to continuing to work to make Quincy a great place for agriculture, business and families.”

Representing the City of Quincy, council member Katie Awerkamp replied, “It’s such an honor to be receiving this award, and it’s such an exciting time to be a part of all of this new progression that is taking place.” Awerkamp continues, “As a new council member, I believe we have had quite the task over the last 6 months to get a lot accomplished for the City of Quincy in order to get the wheels moving for the Quincy Next Strategic Plan, and all of the economic development we need to get done. I believe there is a lot of potential, great vision and the right leadership with this new plan. We still have a lot of work to do, but it’s an exciting time to be a Quincy resident, to be sitting on the council and we should be thrilled with what has been accomplished so far.”

Previous recipient includes Mr. Thomas A. Oakley, whom the award is named after.

During the meeting, guests will be the first to hear about GREDF’s accomplishments this past year, as well as Forward Focus goals for GREDF in 2020.  We will also celebrate our outgoing and incoming board members, and hear from Adams County Chair, Kent Snider.

Closing remarks and keynote presentation will be made by Quincy Mayor, Kyle Moore regarding recent growth and investments in Quincy & Adams County, how other communities have addressed various growing pains, and and how our community is working to facilitate all the momentum.

For more information, contact Joi Cuartero Austin at GREDF (217) 223-4313.

Great River Economic Development Foundation is a 501(c)6 not-for-profit organization with a mission to maintain and GROW the economic vitality of the Quincy and Adams County, IL region through the retention and expansion of existing businesses and the attraction of new businesses to our entire region.

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Adams County, IL – On Tuesday, October 22 at 8:15 AM an awards ceremony was held at Quincy High School’s Quincy Area Vocational and Technical Center (QHS / QAVTC). Earlier that month, two teams from QHS competed in the Tri-State MakerFest S.T.E.A.M. Competition, with each team taking home a prize, one for People’s Choice and one for structural integrity.

During MakerFest six total teams competed. Two from Central High School in Camp Point, IL with engineer Ryan Phelps of Klingner & Associates as their coach; two from Quincy High School with Roger Leenerts of Leenerts Group as their coach; and two from Kahoka High School in Clark County, MO with their teacher Ben Taylor as their coach.

“It is wonderful to see the S.T.E.A.M. Competition grow this year,” states Angela Caldwell, organizer and Director of Workforce Development at Great River Economic Development Foundation. “The competition is a great way for students to connect with our businesses and get hands on experience with different aspects of architecture and engineering, while building their teamwork skills.”

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

For more information, contact Joi Cuartero Austin at GREDF (217) 223-4313.

Great River Economic Development Foundation is a 501(c)6 not-for-profit organization with a mission to maintain and GROW the economic vitality of the Quincy and Adams County, IL region through the retention and expansion of existing businesses and the attraction of new businesses to our entire region.

As the Tri-State Development Summit draws near, Mississippi River updates, along with an education panel focused on workforce joins the program. The 2019 Tri-State Development Summit (TSDS) brings together leaders from southeast Iowa, northeast Missouri and western Illinois to discus common issues, creating an ongoing dialogue, and improving the quality of life for the region.

This year, the TSDS will be held Friday, October 25 at 9:00 AM in the Oakley Lindsay Center, 300 Civic Center Plaza, hosting a theme of Innovation Through Collaboration. Speed networking and tunnel tours will be offered Thursday, October 24 at 5:00 PM in the Dick Brothers Brewery Stock House, 929 York, for additional time for guests to make contacts.

Tickets are $45, or $10 for students and include Thursday networking and Friday Summit plus lunch. Reservations for Thursday evening networking are required.

Mike Klinger, chair of the Upper Mississippi, Illinois, and Missouri Rivers Association and Robert Sinkler, retired U.S. Army Colonel of the Army Corps of Engineers, will give Mississippi River Updates. Respectively, their topics include Without Flood Control, Nothing Else Matters and Creating a Port For The Tri-State Region.

“The major economic engine of the tri-state area is agriculture, and it is our River that makes the United States competitive, getting our products to the world market,” remarks Mike Klingner. “The bottom land soils adjacent to the Upper Mississippi River are some of the richest and most productive in the nation, and the world, and without flood control, nothing else matters.”

Kicking off the Workforce and Lobbying presentations is an education panel entitled, Developing Our Talent Pipeline. The panel will discuss how our education institutes are helping workforce grow in M.A.T.H. (Manufacturing, Agriculture, Transportation and Healthcare), which are major industries for our region. Moderating the panel is Jim Hansen, Missouri State Representative and retired educator. Joining the panel are Quincy University president, Brian McGee; Culver Stockton College Academic Dean, Loren Schellenberger; John Wood Community College President, Michael Elbe; and Southeastern Community College, Michael Ash.

U.S. Senators and Representatives from Illinois, Missouri and Iowa are also scheduled to speak in person, or previously recorded messages, with the keynote being given by Ray LaHood, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and U.S. Representative for Illinois 18^th congressional district. His son, U.S. Representative Darin LaHood, will introduce Mr. Ray LaHood.

“We are so fortunate to have former Congressman and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood with us as this year’s Summit keynote speaker,” states Michael J. Inman, City of Macomb Mayor. “Congressman LaHood has spent his entire life in public service and part of the hallmark of his service has been his ability to promote partnerships, work in a collaborativeway and reach across divides to solve many, many problems.” Mayor Inman continues, “To me it’s fitting that he is our keynote speaker since that is what the mission of the Summit has been since its inception over 30 years ago….that we succeed best when we work as a region, coming together, collaborating with one another to solve our problems.”

Morning session will also include Illinois Agriculture Director, John Sullivan on Rural Broadband, with a tri-state panel to follow on the Complexity of Connectivity. The Afternoon sessions will conclude with leaders from all three states with brief, impactful and educational presentations on workforce and lobbying.

Registration, along with a detailed list of speakers and their topics can be found at www.TriStateOfMind.com.

Currently, 36 counties comprise the one “Tri-State of Mind” for western Illinois, northeast Missouri and southwest Iowa. Counties served now include 14 in Illinois, 14 in Missouri and 8 in Iowa, making the population supported over 700,000.

The Mission of the Tri-State Development Summit is to bring together Tri-State area leaders to define common issues; To develop an on-going dialogue to effectively address those issues; And to improve the quality of life of the entire tri-state region through economic development activities.

For more information about the Tri-State Development Summit please visit our website at TriStateOfMind.com, or call (217) 223-4313.

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Adams County, IL – Mike Elbe, president of John Wood Community College was the next guest speaker for the Adams County Works Transition Planning Team Quarterly Seminar held on Wednesday, October 9 from 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM at the Patio Restaurant – 133 S. 4^th St.

This quarter, President Elbe spoke on “Networking – More Than Meeting New People” and his experience in building relationships. “Networking is a vital leadership skill that needs to be developed through a process over time,” states President Elbe. “At this event, I will be sharing my 4 Levels of Networking and provide strategic examples of how to advance your networking skills.“

Along with President Elbe’s work with John Wood Community College, he serves on several boards including the Chamber of Commerce, Great River Economic Development Foundation, United Way of Adams County, the Workforce Investment Board and Tri State Development Summit. He recently was recognized for his community service by being selected the 2018 Joe Bonasinga Award recipient and was honored by Phi Theta Kappa in April, 2018 as the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction, PTK’s most prestigious award for college presidents. He was nominated for this award by the student members of our local chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.

The seminars are free and open to the public. Please RSVP to Angela Caldwell at caldwella@gredf.org.

The Adams County Works Transition Planning Team has a mission to Advance current workers by “Nurturing current employees to help advance their level of workplace essential skills to sustain and grow the organization’s competitive advantage.” The team meets the 3^rd Wednesday of each month at 9:O0 AM in the Oakley Lindsay Center.

Great River Economic Development Foundation is a 501(c)6 not-for-profit organization with a mission to maintain and GROW the economic vitality of the Quincy and Adams County, IL region through the retention and expansion of existing businesses and the attraction of new businesses to our entire region. For more information, contact Joi Cuartero Austin at GREDF (217) 223-4313.

Innovation Through Collaboration is the theme for the 2019 Tri-State Development Summit (TSDS), to be held Friday, October 25 at 9:00 AM in the Quincy Community Theatre located inside the Oakley Lindsay Center, 300 Civic Center Plaza, Quincy, IL 62301. Registration is now open.

Special keynote and guest speakers include Ray LaHood, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and U.S. Representative for Illinois 18^th congressional district; Nikki Budzinski, Senior Advisor to Illinois’ Governor Pritzker; and John Sullivan, Illinois Agriculture Director.

“One thing I’ve learned as a farmer, business owner, legislator and now as Director of the Illinois Department of Ag is the importance of bringing together community leaders when there are problems needing solved,” said John Sullivan, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. “The Tri-State Development Summit was created by community leaders and has been improving the quality of life for individuals and businesses in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri for over 20 years.”

Morning session will include a three-state panel on “The Complexity of Connectivity,” moderated by Executive Vice President of the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance, Kristi Ray. Ms. Ray also sits on the steering committee of the Summit and is the TSDS Broadband Task Force Chair. She will be joined by Tim Fencl, General Manager & CEO of Danville Mutual Telephone Company; Bob Winsel, CEO of Ralls County Electric Cooperative and Jim Broemmer, Chief Executive Officer, Adams Fiber / Adams Telephone Co-Operative.

“Connecting our rural communities is fundamental to all aspects of growth and prosperity for our region,” states Mr. Fencl. “Broadband is an essential piece of the puzzle in making the Tri-State area a better place to live, work, and play.” Fencl continues, “The Summit brings together key partners that are all working to improve the areas of connectivity, housing, transportation, economic development, and tourism. Our region is better off because of the Tri-State Summit and the work it continues to foster.”

The afternoon sessions are impactful, educational presentations focused on workforce and lobbying. Topics and speakers include:

• “Creating a Common Workforce Language Between Education, Business, and Industry” by Dennis Fraise | COO, Lee County Economic Development Group in Iowa
• “Jobs, Jobs, Everywhere a Job… But Where Are All The People?!” by Kyle Moore | Mayor, City of Quincy, Illinois
• “Integrating Immigration Into Workforce Solutions” by Jeremy Hess | Director of Economic Development, Greater Burlington Partnership in Iowa
• “The Power of Lobbying” by Aaron Baker | Vice President, Clout Public Affairs in Missouri.

“The Tri-State area is most effective when it speaks with one voice,” said Aaron Baker. “By working together and learning best practices, we can continue to make this a better place to live and work.“

New this year an additional networking opportunity will be held the evening before the Summit on Thursday, October 24 at 5:00 PM in the Dick Brothers Brewery Stock House & Museum, located at 929 York St. in Quincy, IL. Attendees will have an opportunity to participate in a hosted speed networking experience, as well as history and tunnel tours of the Brewery. Appetizers and cash bar will be available.

Business partnerships, which include tickets, are available and registration is open at www.TriStateOfMind.com. $45 ticket includes program lunch + Thursday tours & networking.

Currently, 36 counties comprise the one “Tri-State of Mind” for western Illinois, northeast Missouri and southwest Iowa. Counties served now include 14 in Illinois, 14 in Missouri and 8 in Iowa, making the population supported over 700,000.

The Mission of the Tri-State Development Summit is to bring together Tri-State area leaders to define common issues; To develop an on-going dialogue to effectively address those issues; And to improve the quality of life of the entire tri-state region through economic development activities.

For more information about the Tri-State Development Summit please visit our website at TriStateOfMind.com, or call (217) 223-4313.

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