Have you ever thought about starting your own business?
Do you have a skill or hobby that you would like to market?
Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials which serves Adams, Brown, Pike and Schuyler Counties, is trying to find individuals in the communities it serves who may be interested in starting their own business.
If you or someone you know has thought about starting a business, the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Committee would like to hear from you! Please consider filling out this very short survey regarding your entrepreneurial interests. The information you provide will help the CEDS Committee develop a program that will support entrepreneurs and future business owners.
Two Rivers Economic Development District is a group of local business and community leaders dedicated to improving the regional economic climate in their communities. For more information, visit http://www.trrcopo.org/.
Quincy Entrepreneurship Center
Ready… Set… Grow.
Get the answers you need to start a business or grow an existing one from experts in business development and entrepreneurship. We help you cut through the tangle of resources and make the right connections to achieve your goals.
Our services are free and confidential and include:
One-on-one business counseling
Business plan assistance
Financial analysis and planning assistance
Location assistance
Business education and training opportunities
Investor, industry contacts and service provider introductions
[share]For the past 27 years, a leading site and facility planning publication, Area Development, has surveyed corporate decision makers regarding their location and expansion plans. Although not the final word in new facility development, the survey results provide excellent insights into key factors that influence site selection decisions.
Let’s take a look at the Top 26 Site Selection Factors Rankings of 2012:
Labor costs
Highway accessibility
Availability of skilled labor
Availability of advanced ICT (Information and Communication Technology) services
Occupancy or construction costs
We must capitalize on and communicate our strengths including highway accessibility, available land, proximity to technical college/training and waterway accessibility, among others.
Energy availability and costs
Corporate tax rate
Available buildings
Tax exemptions
Low union profile
Right-to-work state
Proximity to major markets
State and local incentives
Environmental regulations
Expedited or “fast-track” permitting
Inbound/outbound shipping costs
Availability of long-term financing
Available land
Proximity to suppliers
Training programs
Accessibility to major airport
Proximity to technical college/training
Raw materials availability
Railroad services
Availability of unskilled labor
Waterway or ocean port accessibility
So what do these rankings mean for our region?
These factors are important in developing the message that GREDF will use to aggressively market the Quincy and Adams County region for new investment. We must capitalize on and communicate our strengths including highway accessibility, available land, proximity to technical college/training and waterway accessibility, among others. According to the survey results, most companies are not planning significant movement to new plant and other facility locations until the later part of 2014/early 2015. This gives GREDF and our region time to research, craft and broadcast our message.
What about our existing businesses?
It is important to recognize that these site selection factors are also key as we continue to grow our business retention and expansion program. Most new investment will come in the form of growth by existing businesses. The companies in Quincy and Adams County are likely facing the same challenges as those corporations surveyed – including uneven growth and a lackluster national economic recovery. GREDF staff needs to be able to provide the support, linkages and potential resources to our existing companies so when they are ready to grow, they decide to stay in our community.
GREDF Welcomes New President
March 11, 2013
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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.
Marcel W. Wagner, Jr, CEcD
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.
eDevelopments: Developing a Stronger Community
February 11, 2013
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Quincy Grade School Receives International Recognition for Efforts
The “Seven Habits” program developed by Stephen R. Covey encourages students to develop self-discipline and self-motivation to enable them to make good decisions at home and at school, and to better deal with everyday life as they mature and grow. Those character and leadership skills have been proven to help develop leaders, which in turn strengthens communities.
The “Seven Habits” program was launched in Adams County schools through the Academic Success Initiative, sponsored primarily by local schools districts and the United Way of Adams County. George Meyer, a former Quincy school superintendent is largely credited with introducing it to the area.
“When this all started, the group was looking for a way to be proactive within schools to help develop a stronger community,” Blessed Sacrament Principal Chris Reichert told the Quincy Herald-Whig in a December interview when the designation was first announced. “The positive trickle-down effects for the community will resonate for years to come,” she added.
2013 GREDF Annual Meeting in Review
January 16, 2013
[share] Last week GREDF celebrated our partners in economic development at our 2013 Annual Meeting.
We saluted and thanked the people, organizations and businesses that are involved in projects and efforts that drive economic development in our region. We thought it was appropriate to highlight many of the partnerships Jim Mentesti spent his career building on the night we celebrated his retirement.
Below is a link to a pdf of GREDF Board Chairman, Tim Finlay’s, speech, as well as a link to the visual presentation. Just click the arrow at the bottom of the screen every time you see an *asterisk* in the pdf to follow along.
Tim talked a lot about partners in his remarks, but there are so many more. Too many for him to mention by name. Please know that it has been our pleasure to work with all of our partners over the years. It is their hard work and dedication that makes the Quincy and Adams County area a great place to live, work and raise a family.
As Tim said in closing, “We all know that 2013 is likely to be a challenging year. We also know that based on our track record, our resources and our people, we will rise to the occasion, view challenges as opportunities and grow… together.”
Celebrating Jim Mentesti’s 27 Years at GREDF’s Helm
2013 Annual Meeting Preview
AAIM Employers’ Association “90 Days to Success”
Region Charters Course to Train Students for Advanced Manufacturing Careers
Search for New GREDF President Progresses
Blessing Hospital Breaks Ground for Patient Care Addition
Competing in a Global Marketplace
GREDF Focuses on Retention Visits
If you would like receive Developments in your mailbox four times a year, please click here to sign up!
IMEC Lean New Product Development Workshop
December 10, 2012
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Lean New Product Development provides companies with “innovative” way to design and produce
Step-by-step methodology for integrating lean tools with product development
The ability to develop new proprietary products or quickly refine an existing portfolio can be the difference between market stagnation and capitalizing on new growth opportunities. Many companies have the in-house capabilities to develop and commercialize new products, but often need strategic guidance to reduce manufacturing steps, develop prototypes, and ensure that the effort pays back with profitable sales. Companies that utilize a structured approach to new product development have a 400% increased probability of success with new products, 25% increased probability of being first to market, and a 66% reduction in time to market.
Generating ideas and processes for new products can be a challenge caused by a sporadic or chaotic innovation process, or non-value added engineering activities, both of which result in a less-than-fluid process for creating fresh concepts or renewed designs. In an effort to help streamline facility activities and optimize product and idea generation, IMEC is introducing Lean New Product Development via an introductory workshop in Quincy, Illinois on December 18.
The “quick start” Lean Product Development workshops provide a step-by-step methodology for integrating the powerful waste eliminating tools of Lean Product Development into any product development process. And in the current economic climate, doing more with less is a mandate for virtually any firm, particularly with respect to new product introductions. The design methods and principles can help companies overcome challenges regarding time to market, portfolio management, design and development resources, and new product cost.
The workshops can expose a company to an ideal New Product Development Process that can be easily scaled to their size and need, while providing insight and tools to begin the journey to transform their product design and development activity into a low waste, high value, lean process.
During the introductory workshop, NIST-MEP Product Development expert, Ed Maier, will present companies with an overview of the service, exploring methods and tools that can help with your product development challenges. More details can be found on the enclosed marketing flyer. Manufacturers are encouraged to attend the December 18th introductory workshop and learn more. Registration is available online now by visiting www.imec.org/events.cfm or contact Amy Fitzgerald, IMEC Marketing Manager at 309-677-2977 for more information.
About IMEC
IMEC was established in 1996 with the goal of improving the productivity and competitiveness of Illinois’ small and mid-sized manufacturing firms. A non-profit economic development organization, IMEC is funded in part by the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and through fees paid by Illinois manufacturers for IMEC’s services. IMEC has 11 offices statewide and 40 full-time manufacturing improvement specialists. For more information, visit www.imec.org.
REGION CHARTERS COURSE TO TRAIN STUDENTS FOR ADVANCED MANUFACTURING CAREERS
November 1, 2012
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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.
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.