The fifth in our series of articles highlighting the remarks of GREDF Board Chairperson, Connie Schroeder at our 2011 Annual Meeting.

[share] A look back at ENERGY, INFRASTRUCTURE and TECHNOLOGY in the tri-states in 2010…

ENERGY

Renewable energy projects are moving forward in the region. Adams Electric Cooperative held an open house this summer to celebrate the commercial operation of its Pigeon Creek Wind Turbine in southeast Adams County. Adams Co-op is also moving forward with the development of a second turbine in Brown County that is expected to be completed this year.

GREDF development partner Prairie Power recently received permits to begin testing a process where it adds biomass fuel, wood and/or grass to its coal-fueled power plant in Pearl. The results could lead to the use of renewable fuel sources to supplement the fuel presently used at Pearl. I’d like to welcome Jay Bartlett, president and CEO of Prairie Power to our meeting this evening. Thank you for joining us.

The City of Quincy Hydro-Generation project continues to move forward. Extension of the 1603 tax provisions and interest from equity investors should hasten the pace of development this year.

The Prairie Mills Wind Farm development in northeast Adams County encountered some hurdles this past year, but construction on the $300 million dollar clean energy project could begin later this year or in early 2012. GREDF and our energy consultant Pete Pohlman have been involved with the project and numerous other energy-related projects including hydropower for a number of years and will continue to provide assistance as needed.

INFRASTRUCTURE/TECHNOLOGY

The City of Quincy pursued new fiber optic technology in 2010 allowing United Kingdom-based i3 America to install cable in the municipal sewer lines in southeast Quincy. If the test installation proves successful, the hyper-fast internet the cable allows could make Quincy attractive to a broad range of business prospects. City Planner Chuck Bevelheimer said that the City is currently working with the company to address maintenance issues before they look at moving forward. 

 Adams Telephone Co-Operative is investing in a $35 million dollar project to construct its own new high tech fiber optic network to provide the fastest internet speeds possible. The multi-phase, multi-year project began in August with an initial $5.5 million dollar investment targeting Golden, Mendon, Ursa and Lima. GREDF board member and Adams Telephone CEO, Jim Broemmer calls the project a huge infrastructure investment in rural Adams County that will set up these communities for new technologies and services for the next 50 years or more.

AT&T and IPhone users throughout the area rejoiced when the 3G icon appeared on their screens. Advanced telecommunication features such as 3G open up our area for even more business development opportunities.

The fourth in our series of articles highlighting the remarks of GREDF Board Chairperson, Connie Schroeder at our 2011 Annual Meeting.

A look back at EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT in the Tri-States in 2010…

[share] Quincy University’s confidence in the future is displayed in the $5.2 million dollar, 92-room dormitory taking shape on campus. Students will begin living in the new suite-style dorm in the fall. Q.U. welcomed its largest incoming class in 15 years at the start of the fall semester.

Enrollment is also up at Culver Stockton College and Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing. Culver experienced a 26 percent jump from the 2009 to 2010 academic year. Blessing-Rieman is up 10 percent over last year and enrollment has increased 30 percent over the last six years. A change in name for Hannibal-LaGrange University signifies that area school’s commitment to the future.

In June Jim Mentesti delivered the commencement address to Vatterott College graduates. I’d like to share with you a portion of his remarks, and I quote, “As an economic developer, I am especially pleased with who I see before me. You’re making my job easier. The skills you now have make it easier for me to encourage our manufacturers, service industries and hospitals to grow and expand. Knowing they will have qualified individuals to fill new job openings makes a difference. A quality workforce, that’s you, also helps me attract new business and industry to our area,” end quote.

John Wood Community College is a valued partner in workforce development as well. At a little over a year old, the college’s state-of-the-art workforce development center houses a number of the seventeen career training and workforce education programs which include truck driver training, fire science, health education, electrical technology, restaurant management, construction technology and sustainable local foods.

In response to workforce demand, the College has launched customized training in aluminum welding in addition to its current welding program. A number of local companies including Manchester Tank and ADM are working with John Wood to develop programs specific to their workforce needs. All of these initiatives contribute to the College’s role as an essential partner in workforce development and retention. We’d like to thank John Wood’s Dean of Career and Technology Workforce Education and former GREDF Chairman, Phil Conover, for the work he continues to do in partnership with GREDF making retention calls throughout the year to area businesses.

2010 was a busy year for GREDF and the Workforce Investment Board of Western Illinois. Our partnership with WIB is a strong alliance that fosters economic development by maintaining a dynamic workforce development environment. A number of initiatives took shape. We completed a survey of area businesses’ workforce needs. Companies answered questions about what issues they are facing and what help they need to meet current demand and expand. As a result, a number of companies were referred to the Workforce Investment Board for funding to assist in employee training.

I would like to welcome some special guests tonight. WIB, YP Quincy and GREDF are working with area students to help them identify career and employment opportunities within the community. These young people will be touring companies, meeting with young professionals and getting the help they need to pursue training and education. Ladies and Gentlemen, will you please stand and be recognized? Thank you. And thank you also to Blanche Shoupe of the Workforce Investment Board and Shelby Crow of YP Quincy and the Tri-State Development Summit for your work.

The third in our series of articles highlighting the remarks of GREDF Board Chairperson, Connie Schroeder at our 2011 Annual Meeting. 

[share] A look back at HEALTHCARE in the Tri-States in 2010…

An editorial in the Quincy Herald-Whig sums up healthcare in our region best, quote, “Physicians who want a high quality of life for themselves and their families can find it in the Tri-States. In return, they help maintain a quality of life and quality of care for this region,” end quote.

Blessing Hospital’s year-long anniversary celebration was marked by two high points. In March the American Nurses Credentialing Center gave Blessing Hospital Magnet status for nursing quality, an honor earned by only six percent of hospitals in America. In October, the AAIM Employers Association out of Peoria recognized Blessing Health System as its Employer of the Year. The award honors great employers that recognize people as their greatest asset.

We would like to congratulate former GREDF board chairman Brad Billings for being recognized as a Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce 2011 Business Hall of Fame inductee. It is well deserved.

S.I.U. Quincy Family Practice Center just last week received two awards for excellence in the fields of care for diabetes and coronary artery disease. The Family Practice Center ranks among the top 5 percent in the state among similar operations.

In October Quincy Medical Group announced a comprehensive community wellness program called Bridge the Gap to Health. The program combines preventive health care, personal nutrition and fitness and a partnership with Jackie Joyner-Kersee to get people moving toward better health. The Quincy Medical Group Foundation is also partnering with the Salvation Army to raise $2 million dollars for their new emergency shelter. We’d like to take this opportunity to welcome Quincy Medical Group CEO Aric Sharp to the GREDF board.

The second in our series of articles highlighting the remarks of GREDF Board Chairperson, Connie Schroeder at our 2011 Annual Meeting. 

A look back at Quincy’s CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT in 2010…

[share] There continues to be a renewed sense of pride in the Central Business District. This is perhaps best displayed in the new image campaign featuring the “It’s where you work, play, shop” tag line. In June, the Historic Quincy Business District announced survey results that revealed 88% of the commercial storefronts in downtown Quincy are occupied. Executive Director Travis Brown gives credit to entrepreneurs and business owners who continue to see potential and invest in the downtown. 

 These business owners may also be encouraged by the wave of development in the central business district. The $24 million dollar Salvation Army Kroc Center is on track to open in August. Multiple locally-owned restaurants are in various stages of development and have either opened or will open very soon. We are pleased to be working with Noi and Tennille Sonethongkham owners of ‘One: Restaurant and Bar’ which is under construction in the former Adams Cinema at 6^th and Hampshire. The business took advantage of our low-interest loan program to renovate the historic building.

 And just outside where you sit tonight, the Franklin Square Apartment Complex is ahead of schedule for a spring opening. You may recall the Mayor announced the $9.2 million dollar, 42-unit apartment complex at our last annual meeting.

 Senior housing developments are also on the horizon for the downtown. The proposed $13 million dollar senior apartment complex that was originally planned for across the street from the Kroc Center is now being proposed for South Eighth Street at the site of the former Quincy Discount Carpet store. The building is expected to have around 65 one- and two-bedroom apartments as well as a library and computer center. Construction could start this fall. City officials are also cautiously optimistic that the former Newcomb Hotel will be redeveloped into a 98-unit assisted living facility. The City has heard that the Chicago-based developers are currently working on obtaining historic tax credits.  

 All of these housing opportunities are fulfilling the void identified by Teska Associates in 1993 of a residential neighborhood within the central business district. The development of these major projects in harmony with the high-end condominiums we are seeing crop up on the square illustrate the personal commitment and confidence Quincy residents have in the future of the downtown.

[share]We held our 2011 Annual Meeting on January 12^th. The theme of GREDF 2.0 was a nod to this new website and the “next generation” of the Great River Economic Development Foundation.

“Technology has changed the speed at which business moves,” says GREDF president Jim Mentesti. “Thanks to our long range plan, we’re ready to move with it. We’re taking what has made us successful as an organization and region – partnerships and collaboration – and enhancing our efforts with the latest tools including a new website, social media and GIS.”

GREDF Board Chairman, Connie Schroeder, president of Illini Community Hospital in Pittsfield gave the presentation which included highlights from the past year. Some of the topics she covered were:

• International trade (Spin Screed) and economic development (Prince Agri Products) awards
• 2010/2011 projects & developments (partial list)

– Scotties Fun Spot
– First Bankers Trust Company
– Franklin Square Apartments
– Bank of Quincy
– Salvation Army Kroc Center
– One Restaurant and Bar
– Quincy University Dormitory
– Residences at Quincy Senior 65-unit housing complex

• Economic indicators – Adams County currently has the 3^rd lowest unemployment out of 102 counties in the State of Illinois
• Workforce Development – JWCC launched a customized aluminum welding program in addition to working with a number of local companies on customized training
• Quality of Life – Quincy was ranked 8^th on Forbes Magazine’s list of Best Small Cities to Raise a Family
• Rural Developments – C&L Tilling purchased the former Methode plant in Golden and the Rural Adams Development Corporation celebrated 10 years in 2010 loaning nearly $2 million since it began
• Tri-State Development Summit – The 2011 Summit will be held October 5^th in Quincy
• Transportation – The Chicago to Kansas City Expressway opened, work continues to bring the Mid America Intermodal Port Authority to fruition and Cape Air continues to report record numbers of passengers

Throughout the coming months and in addition to our regular content, we’ll share portions of the annual meeting speech on this site and through our Linked In, Facebook and Twitter accounts. We look forward to your feedback and hope you will share your own good news in 2011.