Would you like to know how your supervisors can make you more successful? Here’s a few interesting
facts…
A well trained supervisor can save money on hiring! The average cost of replacing a first line employee that makes $8 per hour is $3,500 (SHRM research).
A well trained supervisor can improve productivity! According to a Gallup survey in 2004, poorly managed workgroups are an average of 50% less productive and 44% less profitable.
A well trained supervisor can help create a great place to work! According to a Monster.com survey, bad managers are the #1 reason people lose their temper at work – a 39% rate.
A well trained supervisor can protect your company! The average jury verdict in a wrongful termination case is $640,000 and companies lose 64% of the cases. National Institute for Advanced Conflict Resolution.
A well trained supervisor can help retain talented employees! Inc. Magazine estimates that 70% of turnover is due to poor management.
AAIM Employers’ Association would like to introduce you to 90 Days to Success, a proven supervisory training program that will provide your supervisors with the skills they need to help your company be successful. AAIM EA is bringing 90 Days to Success training program to the Quincy area beginning in January at a special introductory rate.
REGION CHARTERS COURSE TO TRAIN STUDENTS FOR ADVANCED MANUFACTURING CAREERS
November 1, 2012
[share]
Pathways to Results Process Connects Education and Business Resources; $500,000 Grant Boosts Effort
The new world of advanced manufacturing requires a drastically different set of skills from its workforce. On October 25, 2012, private business, education and economic development leaders signed a charter to formalize the “Pathways to Results” process. The process aligns K-12 coursework with college degrees and business resources to give students the new skills needed to ensure family-sustaining careers in our region’s manufacturing sector.
The signing is the latest step in a concentrated effort to change the perception of manufacturing and build the workforce of tomorrow. The charter collectively commits business and K-college entities to clearly define a path for manufacturing careers while boosting resources, equipment and expertise available for students to attain careers in the high-tech industry.
Defining the Path
High school students have clearly defined pathways leading to four-year college degrees. Therefore, parents and the community have an expectation that their high school students will pursue a four-year degree even though many college students have no real idea what career they might pursue upon graduation.
Manufacturing jobs do not currently have a defined educational pathway, which is an even bigger obstacle for parents and counselors trying to guide students into these high demand jobs.
Pathways to Results seek to insert a systematic process for communication with high schools including pathways, preparation, transition and curriculum alignment to make things clearer for students and their advocates.
“It is hard enough for students to know which career path to choose,” Pam Foust, dean of career and technical education at JWCC said. “When they determine a focus, possibly in high school, they might find that they haven’t taken the courses to enter college ready to master evolving skills employers want. What Pathways to Results does is to clearly define the math, science and critical thinking skills that need to be in courses from kindergarten through high school. With these basic skills, any evolving manufacturing technology can be learned from college instructors who will have access to the latest equipment and processes.”
Funding the Process
JWCC received a $10,000 grant from Office of Community College Research and Leadership as part of the state’s effort to improve career pathways. The College and its partners intentionally linked Pathways to Results funding with a federal grant in an effort to grow a skilled workforce to fulfill current and future manufacturing industry needs.
Phil Conover, interim president of the Great River Economic Development Foundation, announced that as a result of collaborative partnerships, John Wood Community College received a $525,769 grant from the Trade Adjustment Assistance – Illinois Network for Advanced Manufacturing Grant (TAA-INAM). JWCC is one of 20 Illinois community colleges that received funding from the Department of Labor.
“Because of the partnerships built over the last several years, this funding uniquely positions the region to prepare future technicians, engineers and managers as our manufacturing industry expands,” Conover said. “This process, when integrated, is a tremendous platform to attract new manufacturers to the region because we will have the skilled workforce they require to be successful.”
The half million dollar grant will be received over a three-year period to expand and improve the delivery of career manufacturing training programs. The training will lead to industry-recognized certificates or associate degrees that can be completed in two-years or less to meet regional employer needs.
Funding will provide for equipment, course development, advising, instructional support, software, program coordination, internship mentoring, tutoring and supplies. The grant will also fund the hiring of personnel to help students transition from high school to college and college to careers.
In addition to state and federal funding, Lauren Kiest, an owner in aNH3, a company that supplies products for the agricultural industry, recently created a private manufacturing scholarship with the JWCC Foundation to help students access funds to receive the new skills training needed for today’s industry.
Current Climate
Manufacturing accounts for 17 percent of this region’s economy, yet few students are transitioning from high school to John Wood Community College’s manufacturing program. JWCC is the only area institution to offer specific degrees and certificates leading to careers the industry demands. Currently four JWCC students have declared advanced manufacturing as their major. Twenty-six JWCC students are pursuing welding certificates or degrees; 12 are pursuing a degree in computer-aided design (CAD); and 39 students have declared their intent to earn a degree or certificate in electrical technology.
At the high school level, Quincy Area Vocational Center (QAVTC) has a total of 35 students in day technical programs including CAD/drafting, electronics, precision metals and welding. Twenty students from rural schools are enrolled in QAVTC’s evening programs. An additional 80 students are enrolled in Project Lead the Way at QAVTC.
Adams County Board Chairman Mike McLaughlin, JWCC President Dr. John Letts, Quincy Mayor John Spring and Interim GREDF President Phil Conover at October 5, 2012, National Manufacturing Day Press Conference
Workforce shortages are growing in areas such as industrial maintenance, (programming and maintaining technologically advanced equipment), precision machining, welders and automation systems. The current high school and college students studying for these careers will not come close to filling current and future positions available with the area’s 100 manufacturing firms.
“Manufacturing is a whole new world,” Roger Leenerts, business owner and Pathways to Results charter member said. “For many years it has not been suggested as an ideal career path, that it is low paying, dirty and unstable. The reality is that it requires a highly skilled workforce to maintain high tech machinery. We want high school students to see manufacturing as a career, not just a job.”
Not Your Dad’s Plant – Perception Change Manufacturing has been the economic engine of the region for decades, but gone are the days of man-made assembly lines with workers assembling various product parts. The industry is rapidly evolving, with clean work environments and head-of-household wages waiting for employees with the right skills.
Students with manufacturing degrees can earn upwards of $60,000 because they possess the knowledge and skills to manage all or portions of automated processes from design, logistics and production. Candidates with specialized knowledge of electrical and computerized components of automated machines can earn between $35,000 and $50,000. Welders are in high demand and can earn $20 an hour with basic knowledge and much more with additional training. Most manufacturing jobs include solid benefits.
More information is available by contacting Foust at 217.641.4956 or pfoust@jwcc.edu.
[share]Heritage Foundation Fellow to Speak at Industrial Association of Quincy Annual Meeting
Edmund Haislmaier, an expert in health care policy and markets at The Heritage Foundation, is the featured speaker at the Industrial Association of Quincy 2012 Annual Meeting on Tuesday, October 2nd. The breakfast will be held at 7:00am at Town & Country Inn and Suites, 110 North 54th Street. Tickets to the continental breakfast are available by calling Great River Economic Development Foundation at 217.223.4313 or downloading this registration form.
Mr. Haislmaier will give a speech entitled, “The Implications of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”. The continental breakfast begins at 7:00 am with remarks beginning at 7:20 am. The cost is $15 per person. Tables of eight are available.
In his role at The Heritage Foundation, Edmund F. Haislmaier frequently is asked to help lawmakers design and draft specific reforms to the health system. Haislmaier’s expertise includes health care tax policy, Medicare, Medicaid, foreign health systems, pharmaceuticals and health care price controls.
Haislmaier, who works on related bills with both state and federal legislators, developed innovative strategies for states to create consumer-centered health insurance markets by using their authority to regulate insurance.
Under his design, employers may opt to enroll workers in a state health insurance “exchange,” through which each worker then buys coverage of his or her choice. Employers avoid the difficulties of administering a traditional “one size fits all” group plan, while employees pick their own coverage and take it from job to job. No one loses current tax preferences or other benefits of employer-sponsored insurance.
This approach is a key element of Utah’s health care reforms, adopted in 2009. And in recent years, 15 other states have asked Haislmaier and his colleagues in Heritage’s Center for Health Policy Studies to help develop consumer-focused solutions for their troubled health systems.
Haislmaier is in demand as a speaker at conferences on health policy and has testified before numerous federal and state legislative committees. A frequent guest on radio and television news and talk shows, his commentaries have been published in The Washington Times, New York Post and National Review Online among many others.
Before rejoining Heritage in 2005 as a research fellow, Haislmaier worked as a health policy consultant from 1998-2004 and was director of health care policy in Pfizer Inc.’s Corporate Strategic Planning and Policy division from 1994-1997.
He originally came to Heritage in 1987 as the think tank’s first policy analyst for health care. He was named senior policy analyst in 1994. He was promoted to senior research fellow in 2007.
Haislmaier is a member of the board of directors of the National Center for Public Policy Research. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from St. Mary’s College in Maryland.
Industrial Association of Quincy
Industrial Association of Quincy has been in existence since 1945.
IAQ membership has remained constant and includes both large and small industry, transportation, utilities and the financial and medical sectors.
IAQ’s number one priority is to ensure the voice of industry is heard. IAQ continues to be an advocate for business and industry both in Springfield and Washington D.C. This has become more important as the cost of doing business escalates.
IAQ is proud of the continued strong alliance with the AAIM Employers’ Association and the Workforce Investment Board of Western Illinois.
IAQ continues to have a strong voice in workforce development and infrastructure issues throughout the region.
Through The Quincy Entrepreneurship Center, IAQ uses the resources of the Illinois Office of Trade and the International Trade Center to assist local businesses in international markets.
IAQ partnership with GREDF remains strong. GREDF has acted as IAQ facilitator for the past 10 plus years and together the organizations support the Tri-State Summit and Mid America Intermodal Port project among other initiatives.
IAQ Executive Committee includes: Jack Sharkey, Sharkey Transportation, president; Harry Marcionetti, Knapheide Manufacturing, vice president; and Tim Finlay, ADM Alliance Nutrition, secretary/treasurer.
Reservations for the October 2nd breakfast at Town & Country Inn and Suites may be made by contacting GREDF, which serves as IAQ facilitator, at 217-223-4313 or gredf@gredf.org. Here is the registration form. The registration deadline is September 27th.
GREDF President Jim Mentesti Announces Retirement
August 29, 2012
[share] Quincy, Illinois. August 29, 2012…The Board of Directors of Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF) and James E. Mentesti, its President, today announced that he has chosen to retire after 27 years of service to GREDF and Tri-State area. Phil Conover has been named interim President. Mr. Mentesti will continue to support GREDF’s mission as a consultant during a transitional period.
“I am proud of the progress and results we achieved in my many years with GREDF. I have a great staff who, with Phil, will continue to promote economic development in the Tri-State area. I will be pleased to support their efforts and the eventual transition to a permanent replacement,” said Mr. Mentesti.
“We thank Jim for his 27 years of service to GREDF and are pleased he will continue to provide his advice and counsel as a consultant,” said Tim Finlay, Chairman of the Board. “GREDF has been an integral player in hundreds of economic development projects under Jim’s leadership. He has helped make our community an economically vibrant one.”
A year ago the Board and Mentesti developed a leadership transition plan, which they are now activating. “We look forward to conducting a search for a new President and anticipate that process will be complete by the spring of 2013,” said Mr. Finlay. “During this transition, we are very pleased to have a leader with Phil’s credentials as interim President and Jim’s ongoing support as a consultant.”
Mr. Conover is a former Chairman of GREDF’s Board and worked for 26 years as an investment advisor. After his retirement from the investment industry, he served over five years in various capacities for John Wood Community College, including Interim Vice President of Instruction, Dean of Career & Technical Workforce Education, and a consultant for business and industry. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Quincy University, a member of the Blessing Hospital Operations and Finance Committee, and a member of the Unit #4 Foundation Board, among other civic activities.
“It’s an honor to be selected for this role. Jim built a strong team, and I am excited to help them build on their previous success and transition to a new permanent replacement in the spring,” said Conover.
2nd Lowest Unemployment in IL for Adams County
August 24, 2012
[share] July unemployment figures in Adams County rose by 0.1% over June, but remain slightly lower than a year ago. At 6.8%, Adams County is tied for the second lowest unemployment in the state of Illinois.
The City of Quincy’s July unemployment rate is 7.4% which is up 0.3% over last month, but down 0.1% from a year ago in July.
Governor Quinn Signs Enterprise Zone Extension Legislation
August 8, 2012
[share]Governor Quinn signed Senate Bill 3616 on Tuesday, August 7, 2012, “providing stable and predictable job creation and retention incentives for the long term” via the Illinois Enterprise Zone legislation, according to Craig Coil, President of the Illinois Enterprise Zone Association.
Coil went on to say in a press release, “More importantly, it also gives communities with existing zones the opportunity to renew for up to 25 years, thereby stabilizing their long term economic development strategies and giving employers of all sizes and types a measure of predictability in planning for future job development and capital project opportunities.”
Championed by the Illinois Manufacturers Association (IMA) with significant technical assistance and support provided by the Illinois Enterprise Zone Association (IEZA) and the Taxpayers Federation of Illinois (TFI), Senate Bill 3616 represents a true collaboration of ideas and opinions. Illinois employers as well as media and local government leaders, Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development Organizations throughout the state helped promote the merits of the bill as well, reaching out to their respective legislators about the importance of remaining competitive for the long term.
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After nearly three years of discussion and negotiation, the Illinois General Assembly unanimously passed Enterprise Zone extension legislation on May 31st. The bill awaits Governor Quinn’s signature.
According to an email from Craig Coil, president of the Illinois Enterprise Zone Association, “Senate Bill 3616 will provide stable and predictable job creation and retention incentives for the long term, more transparency and performance reporting and revised qualification criteria which may give communities not currently designated as Enterprise Zones the chance to be considered for designation. It also gives communities with existing zones the opportunity to renew for up to 25 years.”
The Quincy & Adams County Illinois Enterprise Zone was established in 1984 under state legislation. The Enterprise Zone is considered one of the most effective economic development tools available. Enterprise Zone incentives help grow our economy by encouraging job creation, retention and investments in our communities.
Enterprise Zone incentives have included:
Property tax abatement
Building materials sales tax exemption
Reduced permit fees
Jobs tax credit
Investment tax credit
Income tax reductions
Machinery and equipment state sales tax exemption
Utility tax exemption
Last year the program is credited with creating 8,980 jobs and nearly $2.5 billion in investments throughout the state. In the Quincy/Adams County Zone alone, (which includes portions of Brown County) 61 projects resulted in over $41 million in investments and 423 jobs being created or retained. This does not include the short term construction and other jobs further benefiting local businesses and the economy.
[share] Adams County June unemployment figures rose slightly over May which can be attributed in part to a seasonal rise that coincides with the end of the school year.
Adams County still has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state of Illinois at 6.7%. Brown County (4.8%) and Woodford County (6.6%) are the only two counties out of 102 Illinois counties that have lower rates.
The City of Quincy’s June unemployment rate is 7.2% which is up 0.1% over a year ago in June.
[share] The Rural Adams Development Corporation Annual Meeting will be held Wednesday, July 25, at 7:30 am at Beckman Seed Sales in Paloma. Owners Chuck and Mary Beckman received a loan from RADC to build their new soybean treatment and warehousing facility on a five-acre site about a half-mile west of Paloma on U.S. 24.
Members of the Rural Adams Development Corporation visit Alliance Industrial.
Formed in 1990 by a group of rural Adams County bankers, the electrical cooperative and the Great River Economic Development Foundation (and later joined by Adams Telephone Cooperative), RADC has since administered 63 loans totaling $1,969,631. The group is celebrating its 22nd official Annual Meeting and the fact that their revolving loan fund has never incurred a single loss in its entire history.
“While a couple of the businesses that were assisted by the RADC later ceased operations, their loans were repaid in full,” says RADC Board Member and GREDF Entrepreneurship Specialist, Charles Bell.
The RADC’s low-interest, revolving loan fund is designed to finance projects which will create or retain jobs in rural Adams County. One success story belongs to Chuck and Mary Beckman, who have spent their entire lives in service to local agriculture. “When Channel Seed Company wanted to move the seed treatment and distribution processes closer to farmers, necessitating a new facility, we knew the Beckmans would do a great job with it,” says Mark Field, RADC member and President and Chairman of the Board of The Farmers Bank of Liberty.
Another new business success story is that of Alliance Industrial. “Rob Albsmeyer came to us with the idea to start Alliance Industrial when he had the opportunity to buy out the equipment from his former employer and put his experience to work,” says Mark Field, “He knew the market, had the experience and had a good plan. We offered some low-cost financing and now he is employing a dozen people at his pallet company.”
Types of assistance provided by the RADC include:
Seed money, venture capital, or gap financing for which no other resource exists
Funding for businesses that lack adequate equity or operating history for conventional loans
Investment in projects that need greater owner equity in order to obtain bank or government assistance.
Anyone interested in starting or expanding a business in rural Adams County is encouraged to talk to any RADC participating bank or GREDF. RADC member banks include:
Central State Bank (Clayton)
Farmers Bank (Liberty & Payson)
Farmers State Bank of Camp Point
First Bankers Trust (Mendon & Paloma)
Golden State Bank
North Adams State Bank (Camp Point & Ursa)
State Bank of Lima
The RADC can also draw on the expertise of its investors and members to assist businesses. Through its public/private partnership, the RADC encourages municipal units to take an active interest in economic development.
Future of Gardner Museum
June 6, 2012
Gardner Museum Public Hearing Set for Thursday, June 7
[share] The Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County will hold a public hearing on Thursday, June 7th at 6.00 pm in the Gardner Museum Building at 332 Maine Street, Quincy, Illinois. The purpose of this hearing is to seek public willingness to support the mission of the Gardner Museum. Citizens are invited to attend, tour the building and grounds and offer ideas for funding the Museum.
Built in 1888 to serve as the Quincy Public Library, the architecturally significant structure on the southwest corner of Fourth and Maine has served in recent years as the Gardner Museum of Architecture and Design.
Great River Economic Development Foundation President Jim Mentesti and Historic Quincy Business District Executive Director Travis Brown are heading a Blue Ribbon committee to gauge public support of the museum. The museum closed because of a lack of financial support in March and was taken over by the Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County.
The Society would like to continue the mission of the Gardner Museum, if public support makes this financially feasible. The Society hopes a creative partnership can be found to provide the financial support and reuse of the building for public or nonprofit use(s).
“The Gardner Museum building is an extremely important and architecturally significant structure in downtown Quincy. We hope to see a lot of engaged citizens at Thursday’s public hearing,” says Travis Brown, HQBD Executive Director.
If you are unable to attend the hearing, written or emailed comments can be submitted to:
Jim Mentesti
Great River Economic Development Foundation
300 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 256
Quincy, IL 62301
217-223-4313 gredf@gredf.org
Enterprise Zone 25 Year Extension Legislation Passes
June 6, 2012
[share] After nearly three years of discussion and negotiation, the Illinois General Assembly unanimously passed Enterprise Zone extension legislation on May 31st. The bill awaits Governor Quinn’s signature.
According to an email from Craig Coil, president of the Illinois Enterprise Zone Association, “Senate Bill 3616 will provide stable and predictable job creation and retention incentives for the long term, more transparency and performance reporting and revised qualification criteria which may give communities not currently designated as Enterprise Zones the chance to be considered for designation. It also gives communities with existing zones the opportunity to renew for up to 25 years.”
The Quincy & Adams County Illinois Enterprise Zone was established in 1984 under state legislation. The Enterprise Zone is considered one of the most effective economic development tools available. Enterprise Zone incentives help grow our economy by encouraging job creation, retention and investments in our communities.
Enterprise Zone incentives have included:
Property tax abatement
Building materials sales tax exemption
Reduced permit fees
Jobs tax credit
Investment tax credit
Income tax reductions
Machinery and equipment state sales tax exemption
Utility tax exemption
Last year the program is credited with creating 8,980 jobs and nearly $2.5 billion in investments throughout the state. In the Quincy/Adams County Zone alone, (which includes portions of Brown County) 61 projects resulted in over $41 million in investments and 423 jobs being created or retained. This does not include the short term construction and other jobs further benefiting local businesses and the economy.
AAIM Employers’ Association would like to introduce you to 90 Days to Success, a proven supervisory training program that will provide your supervisors with the skills they need to help your company be successful. AAIM EA is bringing 90 Days to Success training program to the Quincy area beginning in January at a special introductory rate.
Mr. Haislmaier will give a speech entitled, “The Implications of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”. The continental breakfast begins at 7:00 am with remarks beginning at 7:20 am. The cost is $15 per person. Tables of eight are available.
