[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

YOU ARE INVITED!
2012 Tri-State Housing Summit – June 7

The Tri-State Development Housing Task Force invites you to join elected officials and business/industry leaders for a day of dialogue about housing issues our region faces including resources, shortfalls and opportunities.

Adequate housing – like highways, healthcare and retail establishments – is necessary to achieve desired growth and quality of life in a region. For that reason, the Tri-State Development Summit established the Housing Task Force in 2005.

Our tri-state region is not immune to housing issues that communities around the country face – availability, affordability and quality. That’s why the Housing Task Force’s mission is to provide affordable workforce housing in the tri-state area. This includes:

• Increasing affordable housing options for the region’s workforce
• Providing counseling to first-time home buyers
• Identifying funding sources for housing development throughout the region

The creation of affordable housing can increase community pride, help attract industry and increases property values and the community tax base. Please join us Thursday, June 7, 2012 on the Campus of Culver Stockton College. Agenda and registration details are below.

Summit Agenda

8:00-8:45 REGISTRATION

8:45-9:00 WELCOME

• Don Patrick, President/CEO, NECAC
• Dick Valentine, President, Culver Stockton College
• Jarred Phillips, Mayor, City of Canton

9:00-9:30 TRAINING FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING

• Howard Kirchner, Workforce Development Director, Two Rivers Regional Council of Governments
• John Spring, Mayor, City of Quincy
• Stefan Crider, President, Crider Construction

9:30-10:30 LEGISLATIVE VIEWS

• Senator Brian Munzlinger (Invited)
• Rep. Craig Redmon (Invited)
• Rep. Paul Quinn
• Rep. Tom Shively
• Rep. Lindell Shumake

10:30-10:45 BREAK

10:45-11:15 HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT

• Nadia Anderson, Iowa State University

11:15-11:45 WORKFORCE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES

• Stacey Epperson, President, Next Steps

11:45-1:00 LUNCH

• Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder (Invited)

1:00-1:30 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

• Janine Stephenson, Area Specialist, USDA Rural Development
• Lindsay Cheek, Area Technician, USDA Rural Development

1:30-2:15 HOUSING DEMAND AND AFFORDABILITY: TRENDS IN THE TRI-STATES

• Bobette Cawthorn, President, Quincy Realtors Association
• Gary Broughton, Century 21 Broughton Team

2:15-2:45 CLOSING REMARKS

• Chuck Scholz, Member, Tri-State Development Summit Steering Committee

Details & Registration:

DATE: Thursday, June 7, 2012

LOCATION: Culver Stockton College, Canton, MO

TIME: 8:00 am Registration, 8:45 am – 2:45 pm Program

COST: Free (lunch is furnished)

DEADLINE: Friday, May 25, 2012

To Register / For More Information:

Email or call Carla Potts (cpotts@necac.org or 573-324-6622) with the following information (You will receive more details including location and parking instructions upon registration):

• Name
• Organization
• Address
• Phone
• Email Address
• # Attending

[share] Group to Discuss Upper Mississippi & Illinois Rivers Locks & Dams at Roundtable

A roundtable will be held to discuss the importance of upgrading Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers Locks and Dams on Monday, November 28, 2011, at the Oakley Lindsay Center. The meeting is being hosted by the Great River Economic Development Foundation.

Garry Niemeyer, President of the National Corn Growers Association will chair the roundtable. The proposed agenda includes, among other topics, the following:

• Explanation and discussion of the Waterways Council, Inc. Capital Development Plan, Paul Rohde, Vice-President of Waterways Council, Inc.
• Priority list for locks and dams upgrades and repairs including budget and its impact on operations and maintenance, Army Corps of Engineers Representative
• Assessment on current situation in Washington, the Administration’s proposal and the Corps’ budget, Adam Nielsen, Illinois Farm Bureau Representative

This roundtable is a follow-up to an earlier meeting that was held in conjunction with and immediately following the 9^th Tri-State Development Summit on October 5, 2011 in Quincy. During that meeting, the group, which consists of representatives from private companies as well as agriculture, waterways and transportation associations, decided it was time to move beyond studies and analysis and into action.

In testimony on September 21, 2011, before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, Waterways Council, Inc. President and CEO Michael Toohey recommended the Inland Waterways Capital Development Plan as the path forward to improve the reliability of the crucial system and its infrastructure over the next 20 years.

“The inland waterways system is one of this country’s greatest assets. For over 200 years, our river system has facilitated affordable, reliable and environmentally friendly transportation as the building blocks of our economy,” Toohey testified. “It has allowed the low cost movement of large bulk commodities in an efficient and timely manner. But despite all of these advantages, our inland waterways infrastructure is suffering and in need of immediate modernization,” he added.

[share]The 9th Tri-State Development Summit will take place on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at the Oakley-Lindsay Center in Quincy, IL. Hundreds of government and business leaders have already made plans to attend and hear from leading experts in the fields of agriculture, transportation, broadband, waterways and economic development.

Our speakers include:

• Iowa Governor Terry Branstad
• Damon Porter, Director, MoBroadbandNow
• Thomas A. Oakley, Member, Tri-State Development Summit Transportation Task Force, Publisher, Quincy Herald-Whig, Director and Treasurer, Quincy Newspapers, Inc.
• Alvin B. Lee, Regional Business Director, Mississippi Valley Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Rodolfo R. Sabonge, Vice President of Market Research and Analysis, Panama Canal Authority
• Jim Sutter, CEO, U.S. Soybean Export Council
  
• Mike Steenhoek, Executive Director, Soy Transportation Coalition

For more information about the event and to register online, visit www.tristateofmind.org. Or call the GREDF office at 217.223.4313.

[share] Did you know that GREDF is part of a little 35-county movement in Western Illinois, Southeast Iowa and Northeast Missouri called the Tri-State Development Summit? We think the mission of the Summit fits perfectly with our own…

Tri-State Development Summit:

Bringing together tri-state area leaders to define common issues;to develop an on-going dialogue to effectively address those issues; and to improve the quality of life of the entire tri-state region through economic development activities.

Great River Economic Development Foundation:

GREDF exists to maintain and improve the economic vitality of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois through the retention and expansion of existing businesses and the attraction of new businesses to our communities.

We believe that by working together we can accomplish great things. That’s why we’d like to invite you to join us at the 9th Tri-State Development Summit which we’re proud to say is being held on October 5th in Quincy. Please take a moment to visit the Summit’s new website – www.tristateofmind.org – for more information and to register for this year’s event.

[share]

[share]Small Biz Leadership Luncheon

The Entrepreneurship Task Force of the Tri-State Development Summit will be holding a luncheon for small businesses and entrepreneurs on Wednesday, May 25th at Tiramisu Restaurant in Quincy. The event will be held from 11:30am – 1:00pm and will cost $15 per person which includes lunch.

The event will be the first in a quarterly series to rotate among Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. The objectives of the events are to provide entrepreneurs and small business owners with local economic information, business-related tips and advice and networking opportunities with other business owners and entrepreneurs. 

Speakers will vary from session to session depending on current events and current business topics.  The events will offer opportunities for entrepreneurs and small business owners to network with each other with the hope that they can collaborate, share business ideas and help each other with shared opportunities, concerns and issues.

For the first session, speakers will include Jim Mentesti, President of Great River Economic Development Foundation and Eric Thomas, President of ETC ComputerLand. Mr. Mentesti will speak to the group about the current economic environment of our region. He will also share updates on current significant projects impacting businesses in the tri-state region. Mr. Thomas will give a Social Media for Business presentation. The presentation will give businesses the basics of what social media is and how they should or could be using it to increase their visibility.

Registration will be $15 per person which also includes lunch.  Pre-registration is required by May 20th. The attached Registration Form should be sent to Megan Backs at GREDF at meganb@gredf.org. 

2011 signifies the 15th year for the Tri-State Development Summit. In the 15 years since the inception; the Summit Region has adopted numerous Task Forces and achieved many successes in each of those task force areas. The Summit Region now comprises 35 counties in NE Missouri, SE Iowa and Western Illinois.

Steering committee members have also announced that the 9th Tri-State Development Summit will take place October 5, 2011 in Quincy, Ill. The mission of the Tri-State Summit is to bring together leaders in Southeast Iowa, Northeast Missouri and Western Illinois to define common issues; to develop an on-going dialogue to effectively address those issues; and to improve the quality of life of the entire tri-state region through economic development activities.

Small Biz Leadership Luncheon Registration Form

Ready, Set, Go!

[share] Organizers of the Tri-State Development Summit are holding a workshop titled Ready, Set, Go! in Hannibal, MO on March 23 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.  The purpose of the workshop is to highlight areas of success and opportunities for economic growth in the Tri-State Development Summit region as we emerge from the economic downturn.

Topics to be discussed include Recreation & Tourism, Workforce Development & Education, Transportation and Business.  Our region is poised for economic growth and prosperity as we enter the recovery phase of the recession.  We have essential infrastructure, recreation & tourism amenities, an un-matched quality workforce and a strong business community.  Businesses, Economic Development Professionals, Educators, Tourism Directors and City & County Government Officials are all encouraged to attend.

The workshop has been planned in partnership with Northeast Missouri Economic Development Council and MoDOT.  Main Street Cinema 8 in Hannibal, MO will be the location of the majority of the workshop.

SCHEDULE
9:45     Registration
10:00  Recreation & Tourism: Current & future trends of leisure travelers; how to capture the market with new and
               innovative events or marketing.
10:30  Workforce Development & Education: What can we do now to prepare our workforce for current and
              emerging industries?
11:00  Transportation: We will discuss the various modes of transportation available to the public and business
              community in the tri-state area as well as what is on the horizon. In addition, we will hear about the economic
              impact of transportation systems and the existing situation in Missouri.
11:30  Business: Panel of 3 businesses discuss why they choose to operate their business in the Tri-State
              Development Summit Region.
12:00  Luncheon Speaker: Pulling It All Together
              Lunch at Kerley’s Pub—two blocks from Main Street Cinema 8 (lunch included in registration fee)
1:00    Adjourn

For more information & to register, contact Summit Coordinator, Shelby Crow at sschoon@illinois.edu or 217.223.8380; or download the Workshop Registration Form.

2011 signifies the 15^th year for the Tri-State Development Summit.  In the 15 years since the inception; the Summit Region has adopted numerous Task Forces and achieved many successes in each of those task force areas.   The Summit Region now comprises 35 counties in Northeast Missouri, Southeast Iowa and Western Illinois.

Steering committee members have announced that the 9^th Tri-State Development Summit will take place October 5, 2011 in Quincy, Ill. The mission of the Tri-State Summit is to bring together leaders in Southeast Iowa, Northeast Missouri and Western Illinois to define common issues; to develop an on-going dialogue to effectively address those issues; and to improve the quality of life of the entire tri-state region through economic development activities.

For more information about the 9^th Tri-State Development Summit, visit www.tristateofmind.org.

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

[share] A look back at RURAL and REGIONAL HAPPENINGS in the tri-states in 2010…

The Rural Adams Development Corporation celebrated 10 years in 2010 of operating a low-interest, revolving loan fund designed to finance projects that will create and retain jobs in rural Adams County. The non-profit organization formed with the help of GREDF and includes seven rural banks. Since 1990, R.A.D.C. has provided 61 loans totaling nearly $2 million dollars. Communities that have been impacted include Camp Point, Clayton, Golden, Liberty, Mendon, Payson and Ursa to name a few.

We’re pleased to share that the R.A.D.C. has never administered a loan that has defaulted and GREDF’s own loan program has a nearly perfect record.

Someone who knows a lot about rural Adams County communities is Adams County Highway Engineer Dick Klusmeyer who put down his ruler in May after 39 years with the Highway Department, 26 of those leading its operations. Dick has been instrumental in bringing infrastructure improvements to the South Quincy Development District which led to millions of dollars in private investment and hundreds of jobs. He was also responsible for launching the award-winning Adams County G.I.S. program. We’re pleased that Dick is one of those guys who never completely stops working. He currently sits on the GREDF board and remains a staunch advocate of the Mid-America Port. Dick, thank you for your vision, service and continued support.

C&L Tiling’s purchase of the former Methode plant in Golden has turned into one of the most notable good-news stories of rural Adams County in 2010. The company has experienced tremendous growth in the past couple of years necessitating their expansion into the former plant. The move allowed them to add new production capacity to their Timewell facility by moving non-production functions to Golden including their trucking and ADI installation headquarters. They also relocated their Fittings Fabrication operations from their Michigan plant to the facility. Forty employees operate out of Golden and the company has tentative plans to add another building to the site. They also lease space to Dot Foods and Jansen Seed Company.

Big River Fish in Pearl is at the beginning stages of developing an export market to China for Asian Carp. During the last month they shipped 30 to 40 thousand-pound containers of frozen fish. Our Charles Bell assisted the company in navigating the Chinese market. Charles has traveled to China on behalf of GREDF to research export opportunities. Plans are underway for Big River Fish to open a second processing plant in Griggsville.

Midwest Crop Insurance Service, one of the nation’s largest general agencies in the Federal Crop Insurance industry, officially merged into AgriLogic Insurance Service. Their Camp Point headquarters will serve as the new A.L.I.S. Midwestern Regional Service Center. We assisted Midwest Crop Insurance with financing for the expansion that will eventually lead to over 18 new employees in Camp Point. Charles Bell also helped the company develop their international business, providing contacts and separately helping one of the owners develop an export market for a food product they plan to package locally.

A valued partner in small business development is retiring at the end of month after serving the region for 20 years. Dan Voorhis, director of the Small Business Development Center at Western Illinois University has helped hundreds of small businesses in a 12-county region develop business plans for start ups and expansions. Thank you, Dan for your friendship and service.

Ursa Farmers Cooperative celebrated 90 years in August. Over 800 partners and friends attended the annual meeting celebration. The Co-op is looking at building a new grain elevator in Canton, Missouri which is directly across the river from its Meyer facility. Between 500 to 600 of the cooperative’s 2400 members live on the Missouri side of the Mississippi River and a new elevator would help to better serve these individuals.

Tri-State Development Summit coordinator Shelby Crow has given us permission to announce tonight that the 2011 Summit will be held October 5^th in this very building in the Quincy Community Theater. 2011 marks the 15^th year of bringing together tri-state leaders to define common issues, to develop on-going dialogues to address those issues and to improve the quality of life of the entire tri-state region.

2010 Summit activities saw a continuation of the theme of entrepreneurship from the 2009 Summit in Fairfield, Iowa. The entrepreneurship task force held a series of workshops for entrepreneurs in all three states. Highway and river infrastructure improvements continue to remain at the top of the Summit priority list and much progress has been made.

Significant validation for the role of the Summit came in the form of census data revealing the potential loss of one seat each in the U.S. House of Representatives for Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. Now more than ever the Summit’s 35 counties must stand together to keep our political leaders aware of the issues our communities and region face.

[share]The 2011 Tri-State Development Summit will be held October 5^th at the Quincy Community Theater in the Oakley Lindsay Center in Quincy. 2011 marks the 15^th year of bringing together tri-state leaders to define common issues, to develop on-going dialogues to address those issues and to improve the quality of life of the entire region.

2010 Summit activities saw a continuation of the theme of entrepreneurship from the 2009 Summit in Fairfield, Iowa. The entrepreneurship task force held a series of workshops for entrepreneurs in all three states. Highway and river infrastructure improvements continue to remain at the top of the Summit priority list and much progress has been made including the completion of the Chicago to Kansas City Expressway.

Significant validation for the role of the Summit came in the form of census data revealing the potential loss of one seat each in the U.S. House of Representatives for Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. Now more than ever the Summit’s 35 counties must stand together to keep our political leaders aware of the issues our communities and region face.

For more information about the Tri-State Development Summit, visit www.tristateofmind.org.