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The Board of Directors of the Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF) along with GREDF president Marcel Wagner, today announced that Maggie Strong has been appointed Vice President of the organization.

Effective June 16, 2014, Strong’s primary focus as a part of GREDF’s executive team will be marketing and communications, as well as membership. Strong has spent the last six and a half years as a part time project manager with GREDF. She brings to the role more than 10 years of marketing and fundraising experience.

Strong earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Arts Management from Quincy University. She began her career as a project manager and later director of client relations for a local marketing and public relations firm.

“Maggie has been a tremendous asset to the organization, a creative and dedicated part of the staff and always focuses on what is best for Quincy and Adams County,” said Marcel Wagner. “I am very excited to have Maggie step into a bigger role with GREDF and believe that she has and will continue to help GREDF become a highly effective economic development organization.”

Strong will begin coursework to become a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) through the International Economic Development Council in the fall. In addition to leading the marketing and communications and membership portions of the GREDF Strategic Plan, Strong will be involved in GREDF’s business retention and expansion efforts.

Strong is president of the Midsummer Arts Faire Board of Directors and a member of the Quincy Preserves Board of Directors. She was named as a Quincy Herald-Whig YP 20 Under 40 honoree in 2010 and received the 2013 City of Quincy Arts Awards Volunteer Leadership Award. 

Contact Maggie at maggies@gredf.org or 217.223.4313. 

[share]Dear Partner in Economic Development,

Economic development is not an endeavor of a single person or single organization. Successful economic development is a collaborative and aggressive process. That’s why GREDF places a high value on partnerships and welcomes the opportunity to work with businesses and organizations like yours for the good of our region.

2013 has been a transitional year for our organization. The staff and I, with the support and direction of our board, have been hard at work developing a strategic plan and 2014 work plan. We’re not quite ready to share the entire plans yet (you’ll have to wait until our Annual Meeting on January 8, 2014), but here are the highlights:

1. Business Retention and Expansion – Conducting regular visits with our area businesses to help identify opportunities and threats is key to our region’s overall economic growth.
2. Workforce Development – We must work with our businesses and educational institutions to ensure existing and new businesses alike will have the qualified workforce they require to grow.
3. Business Attraction – We’ve already begun to promote our region to prospective businesses and site consultants and we’ll continue to do this on a greater scale in 2014.
4. Marketing and Branding – It’s important that we communicate a clear and concise Quincy and Adams County brand to potential investors and businesses.
5. Entrepreneurship – Providing assistance to individuals and small business owners helps grow our economy.
6. Membership – This is where you come in. We need income in order to maintain a qualified staff and provide exceptional economic development services.

If you haven’t done so already, please consider becoming a GREDF member or renewing your GREDF membership today. Although we receive funds from both the City and County to carry out economic development activities on behalf of both, half of GREDF’s budget comes from private members like you. You are an essential part of our economic development program. You care about the Quincy and Adams County area, so we’re asking you to invest in our efforts. We think you’ll like the return.

I look forward to getting to know you better in 2014. Our door is always open at GREDF and we welcome the opportunity to work with you more closely, so please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can be of service.

Sincerely,

Marcel

Marcel W. Wagner, Jr., CEcD

P.S. Just click on the Become a GREDF Member graphic above to download a pdf of our current membership investment form.

[share]The first six months of my tenure at GREDF has been an excellent experience.  I have learned that the strength of the Quincy business community anchored by a number of locally owned businesses and supported by international companies operating in Quincy has been a key to the success of our community.  I’ve had the opportunity to meet with over 120 companies and groups during this time.  I’ve also come to appreciate the strength and talents of the GREDF staff, the dedication of the Board and Executive Committee and the long established partnerships that are critical to the success of GREDF.  This combination forms a very strong base to take GREDF to the next level in the future.

2013 – A Transition Year

2013 is a transition year for GREDF in terms of leadership, budget and focus.  The 2013 work plan put together by Maggie Strong and Megan Backs has been the transitional document guiding GREDF activities this year.  The staff and board of directors have begun working on strategic planning for the 2014 program year.

2014 Plan of Work

At the December Board meeting a plan of work will be proposed to the Board for approval.  This plan will encompass all of the initiatives that the staff will work on in 2014.  Core initiatives will focus on Business Retention and Expansion, Workforce Development, Marketing and Promotion, Membership and communicating the GREDF mission to the community. The Tri-State Summit and regional participation will also be a focus.

Workforce Activities

In the meetings thus far the most critical issue facing the business community is workforce.  The ability to find and hire qualified people has been a universal discussion.  Under Megan Backs’ direction, GREDF partnered with John Wood, the United Way and the regional Workforce Investment Board to host a half day meeting of Adams County education and workforce leaders to define workforce issues and begin a process to address those issues.  A steering committee of 8 stakeholders was formed and has been meeting to develop a coordinated county-wide strategy.  This is one of the most challenging tasks that GREDF faces.

Stakeholder Communication

As I began my tenure with GREDF it was clear that although GREDF had excellent communication tools such as the e-development newsletter, there needed to be more direct communication between the staff, board leadership and public partners. I began a bi-weekly update specifically on staff activity to the GREDF Board.  The GREDF Board update is a confidential internal document.  In May I started a monthly report to the Quincy City Council distributed via email and to the Adams County Board as a printed document. These communications are written to not violate any confidential information GREDF receives from company meetings and to enhance communications with our public partners.

Tri State Summit 

Planning for the May 2014 Tri-State Summit is ongoing with Megan and Maggie working on the initial planning issues.  The Steering Committee has reduced the number of Task Forces to four: Connectivity, Housing, Tourism and Transportation (now including rivers issues).

Galesburg Exchange / International Trade initiatives

• An exchange of leadership ideas between Quincy and Galesburg began in May when a group of community and economic development leaders from Galesburg came to Quincy.  During this initial exchange I met Gary Camerano, the Global Strategies Director for the City of Galesburg.  Gary and I have had several opportunities to meet and discuss how our two cities can work together to promote international trade in our region.
• The State of Illinois recently formed an Export Advisory Council to work directly with local E.D. organizations on trade issues.
• The Chamber and GREDF also met with a business delegation from Macedonia that was in Illinois.
• Charles Bell and I traveled to Peoria to meet with the director of their FTZ, Port Director and International Trade specialists.  Regional partnerships will help GREDF become more active providing our businesses with international trade opportunities.

Regional Economic Development contacts

I’ve had the chance to meet with a number of the Economic Development representatives in the region.  GREDF is working with Gina Sherman in Pike County to offer assistance on a proposed project in Nebo.  Contacts with the USDA representatives, N.E. Missouri Power Coop and Macomb have been made.  I’ve also been attending the monthly Rural Area Development Council meetings with Charles Bell.

Port Authority

I’ve been working very closely with Charles Bell on Port Authority and River issues.  Charles has an excellent working knowledge and relationship with regional and state officials.  Several representatives from AdamsCounty attended meetings in Springfield to discuss changes at the state level in Port and river issues.  We’ve met with Keokuk, Iowa, representatives and GREDF facilitates monthly meetings of the regional Port group.

Discussions with Federal Waterway officials had helped in the re-submission of the Tiger Grant application for a new proposed Port facility.  Unfortunately, the latest Tiger Grant was not approved and therefore new discussion must begin about the future of the Port and other possible funding sources.

GREDF worked with the Adams County Board to write a resolution that the Board will send to both State and Federal legislators. That resolution highlighted the serious maintenance and upgrade issues on the Mississippi.  The Board will be sending the resolution to other Illinois River counties and urging them to pass a similar resolution and forward it on to legislators.

Projects

Work on specific projects is ongoing.  GREDF staff is working with several local companies that have expansion potential.

Marketing / Promotion of Quincy and Adams County

I’ve begun several activities related to marketing.  Maggie and Megan put together a very informative introductory package about Quincy in both printed and electronic format.  To date I’ve sent that packet along with a letter electronically to 78 site consultants, national realtors and several corporate real estate executives I’ve worked with in the past.  In May I began one–on-one meetings with this group.  To date I’ve met with representatives from KPMG in Columbus, and spent 2 days in Chicago at meetings with Deloitte, Binswanger, Duff and Phelps, Mohr Partners and Newmark Knight.  I also met with 2 manufacturing companies I contacted last fall that are potential relocations from Cook County.  Megan Backs attended the Industry Week Magazine Consultant meetings in Florida from June 10th to June 13th.  At that event she had one-on-one meetings with eight national consulting firms.  This event gave Megan a broader understanding of that part of economic development.

Two events in October will provide additional marketing opportunities.  The International Economic Development Council Annual Meeting is being held in Philadelphia and during that three-day meeting I will have the opportunity to meet with a number of national site consultants and commercial real estate firms to discuss opportunities in Quincy, specifically the assets of the South Quincy Development District and transportation.  The second event is similar to the meetings Megan attended in June.  I will be attending the Industry Week Magazine Consultants Roundtable for 3 days and have one on one meetings with 10 to 12 consulting firms that work on major, high value projects.

Relocation to Quincy

On September 9^th, my wife, Karen, and I moved into our new home here in AdamsCounty.  Karen and I are very excited to become permanent members of the Quincy community.

My thanks to the GREDF Board of Directors for the privilege of serving in a leadership role in this great organization.  The past 6 months have been a very positive experience and I look forward to moving GREDF forward.

Respectfully submitted,

Marcel W. Wagner Jr., CEcD

A collaboration of GREDF, the City of Quincy and Adams County

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Economic development is not an endeavor of a single person or even a single organization. Successful economic development is a collaborative and aggressive process. That’s why GREDF, in partnership with the City of Quincy and Adams County, has developed a business survey to help gauge the current business environment in our region.

By filling out our short, 13-question survey, you are providing feedback we will use to improve the economic vitality of our region, resulting in an environment that benefits our communities as well as the businesses that call our communities home.

Take the Survey

Thank you for filling out our survey. We value your feedback. For more information about how GREDF can assist with your business, please contact us at 217.223.4313 or gredf@gredf.org.

Marcel W. Wagner, Jr., CEcD
President, Great River Economic Development Foundation

Kyle Moore
Mayor, City of Quincy

Les Post
Chairman, Adams County Board

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So you want to start a business…

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The public is invited to a press conference to meet Marcel Wagner on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, at 9:00 am in the Lobby of the Oakley-Lindsay Center.

The Board of Directors of the Great River Economic Development Foundation, announced the hiring of Marcel W. Wagner, Jr. as the new President of the organization. An eleven-member committee consisting of community leaders and GREDF board members recommended Wagner after a 6-month-long nationwide search. Wagner was unanimously approved by GREDF Board of Directors members attending a special meeting on March 5, 2013.

“Marcel’s years of experience as an economic development professional and proven track record in a region with similar characteristics to our tri-state region made him stand out among the pool of strong local and national candidates we interviewed,” said Tim Finlay, Chairman of the GREDF Board of Directors and a member of the Search Committee. “The level of interest in the position indicated to us that GREDF and our region have a reputation for being pro-economic growth,” Finlay added.

“I’m ready to hit the ground running. The presence of such a qualified staff and committed GREDF Board were very important to me as I went through the selection process” said Marcel Wagner. “My wife and I are eager to make the tri-state region our home and have already experienced what a special and welcoming community Quincy is,” Wagner added.

Mr. Wagner’s first official day with GREDF was Monday. “Thanks to the diligent work of the members of the Search Committee, we were able to meet the timeline we originally established for a spring hiring,” said Finlay.

Jim Mentesti announced his retirement after 27 years of service to GREDF and the Tri-State area in August. Phil Conover had been serving as interim President while Jim Mentesti served as a consultant during the transitional period. Conover will continue serving the organization through the end of March. Mentesti concluded his service as a consultant at the end of February.

Who is Marcel Wagner?

Marcel Wagner has spent the past 21 years with the Allen Economic Development Group in Lima, Ohio, the last 19 of those years as its President and CEO before retiring from that position in January. Wagner is a Certified Economic Developer and former Chair of the International Economic Development Council Certification and Education Committee. He was an Executive Committee Member of Team Ohio through the Ohio Economic Development Council as well as former chair of the Allen County Workforce Investment Act Board and Allen County Revolving Loan Fund.

During his tenure with the AEDG, Wagner developed and implemented a regional marketing plan and targeted industries marketing program, established a Foreign Trade Zone, oversaw the development and sale of 5 spec buildings, participated in the start up of two entrepreneurship centers and administrated a private loan fund, among other activities. He was also involved as a pilot user in the development of business retention software now widely used in the economic development world. During his time at AEDG, the organization assisted in over 105 industrial and commercial projects creating 6,300 jobs, retaining 3,500 at-risk jobs and representing $3.2 billion in new capital investment. One example of Wagner’s contributions is his involvement in the development and construction of the 1.2 million square foot Proctor and Gamble Distribution Center, one of the largest fully automated logistics center in the world.

[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.

[share] 2011 was another great year for the Quincy/Adams County, Illinois region. The following is the “Business Developments” section of the speech our 2010/2011 GREDF chair, Connie Schroeder, gave during our 2012 Annual Meeting on January 11, 2012.

Our job at GREDF is to tell our story, that is, the story of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois. We do this in letters, emails and phone calls, on our website and most importantly, through personal contact with current and prospective businesses and you, our stakeholders.

We’re continuously refining our message and we’re blessed to have a wealth of resources about which to boast: transportation infrastructure, skilled workforce, educational opportunities, arts and culture.

We find examples and success stories help our message become more real to our audience. So please allow us to tell our story to you and share some good news from 2011 as we embark on a new chapter in 2012.

2011 Business Developments in Quincy and Adams County, Illinois:

• Prince Agri Products, which you’ll remember built a 150,000 square foot, $18 million dollar facility in 2010, announced this past September the acquisition of a new product line called Animate. The company has added over 40 jobs to the Quincy-area economy during the past 2 years and currently employs over 100 people. They continue to recruit for head-of-household positions in manufacturing, laboratory, quality supply chain and I.T.

  

• Titan International purchased the former Huck Fixtures facility and plans to put part of its wheel production in the 100,000 square foot building this year. Titan reported record sales in the third quarter of 2011, up 79percent from the third quarter in 2010.
• Federal Express broke ground on a new $1.5 million dollar, 28,000 square foot facility located on six acres in the Wismann Ridge Business Park in August.
• The Spin Screed, the world’s lightest-weight roller screed which was invented and built in Quincy, was chosen by contractors to be used during a major remodel of the Boeing Manufacturing Plant in Everett, Washington. The plant is considered the largest in the world. Joe and Marlene Churchill, co-owners of Spin Screed, Inc., have seen their small business grow from its start 11 years ago to the point where the Spin Screed is now being used in major projects worldwide.
• U.S. Cooler is celebrating 25 years as a leading manufacturer of commercial walk-in freezers & coolers. During its history, the family-owned company has preserved a historic firehouse in downtown Quincy for its corporate headquarters and adapted green technology into its products. U.S. Cooler currently employs over 65 people in 7 States.

  

• Timewell Tile continues to grow in its Golden facility, the former home of the Methode Plant. The company’sentire A.D.I. Installation Division was recently moved to the Golden facility which led to the construction of a new 5,000 square foot machine shop building. The A.D.I. Division joins the Transportation Division and Fitting Fabrication Division in Golden, which was relocated from a Michigan Plant. A production line runs 24 hours a day seven days a week out of the facility. 81 employees are currently based out of the 95,000 square foot building.
• Word came in December that the decision to close 252 United States Postal Service mail processing facilities nationwide including the Quincy facility would be delayed until at least May of 2012. GREDF, City officials and Mayor Spring worked successfully with Illinois and Washington lawmakers, including Senator Dick Durbin, to save the facility back in 2010, but a U.S.P.S. deficit in 2011 has prompted the agency to again look at taking drastic measures. Closing the facility would eliminate next-day delivery within the region and 60 to 70 positions. GREDF continues to support efforts to keep the facility open.
• Harris Corporation won a 2011 Governor’s Sustainability Award for Continuous Improvement. They received the recognition for their ongoing commitment to environmental excellence through outstanding and innovative sustainability practices.
• Tim and Tamie Lung, owners of the Crawdad’s Classic brand of products out of Camp Point are poised for growth in 2012. The company has launched a national marketing campaign and hopes to eventually bring bottling operations to the Adams County area.
• An AT&T Cell Phone Outlet and Aspen Dental Office are now open at the corner of 52^nd and Broadway in front of Walmart. GREDF assisted Quattro Development with the project and we were pleased to receive a letter addressed to Jim Mentesti from the developer stating, “Without question, the experience we’ve had working with you, your staff, and the Quincy municipal officials is the best we’ve encountered.” AT&T Illinois President Paul La Schiazza came to the store opening on December 8^th.
• F&M Bank and Trust Company purchased the parcel east of Aspen Dental from Quattro Development. The Bank plans to start construction on a full service branch in 2012. GREDF assisted F&M in the selection of the site.
• T.F. Ehrhart Company is constructing a new building at 42^nd and Koch’s Lane in the East Quincy Development District. The company has been supplying heating and air conditioning equipment to contractors throughout Western Illinois for over 55 years.
• Good Samaritan Home continues to move forward on its $20.7 million dollar multi-phase renovation. When completed all types of senior housing will be available, from independent cottages to full-time nursing care units.
• Activity in the Schneidman Industrial Park continued in 2011 with the addition of Tillitt Collision Repair and Moore’s Floors which expanded into a 15,000 square foot building in order to enhance its commercial flooring operations.
• Preliminary site work has been completed at the future home of the U.S. Army Reserves Center Training Facility. The facility will be located at 24^th and Weiss Lane in the Northwood Business Park and site plans include a training building, vehicle maintenance shop and storage building.

  

• Farmers Bank of Liberty plans to establish a branch at 4134 Broadway in Quincy after purchasing the former restaurant building.
• J.M. Huber just completed an 18,000 square foot addition to its facilities in the South Quincy Development District. The expansion will house a production line for Huber’s food and pharmaceutical-grade of calcium carbonate. The product is currently being made in their California facility, but the economics made it more attractive to build in Quincy than expand in California.
• City officials are close to approving the site plan for a 50-unit, two-story, 64,000 square foot senior apartments complex at 48^th and State.
• Bank of Springfield announced plans to move its Quincy branch from 18^th and Broadway to 1111 Maine in downtown Quincy. The branch could open as early as late spring.
• Speaking of downtown Quincy, our partnership with the Historic Quincy Business District and executive director Travis Brown is as strong as ever. We are pleased to share that downtown Quincy’s occupancy rate is currently at 91 percent. Some of the 2011developments that contributed to this tremendous number include:

  

  • The opening of the $27.2 million dollar Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in September.
  • The opening of First Bankers Trust Company’s 30,000 square foot, $5 million dollar banking facility at 12^th and Broadway in May.
  • The opening of the 48-unit, $9.2 million dollar Franklin Square Apartments complex at 3^rd and State which company officials tell us quickly filled and remains at full occupancy.
  • The opening of Cape Air’s ticket office at 727 Hampshire which is located in a block of beautifully rehabilitated and newly-leased buildings thanks to local developers, Austin Properties.
  • And the opening of a number of high-end restaurants including The Maine Course, ONE Restaurant and Bar and Talayna’s.

We’re excited to see work nearing completion at 8^th and Jersey thanks to Ameren Illinois’ site remediation program. As the $30 million dollar clean-up is completed we look forward to working with our H.Q.B.D. partners to find the right developer and project for the site.

2011 also saw the $5.5 million dollar renovation of the Quincy Public Library and Awerkamp Machine Company’s completion of a new warehouse at 716 Vermont in the downtown.

GREDF’s Entrepreneurship Specialist, Charles Bell had another busy year in 2011. He assisted over 70 businesses with startup and expansion planning, site location and financing. Charles helped Adams County businesses and entrepreneurs navigate a variety of financial incentive programs available to them, including the Rural Adams Development Corporation, Adams County Revolving Loan Fund, GREDF Central Business District Revolving Loan Fund, Adams Electric Revolving Loan Fund and Two Rivers Revolving Loan Fund. Specific examples of assistance include the expansion of Alliance Industrial Corporation on Highway 57 and the construction of a soybean treatment and warehousing facility owned by Chuck and Mary Beckman near Paloma.