WGEM – May 11, 2023

QUINCY (WGEM) – Economic leaders say there are 600 open jobs in Quincy right now. Efforts continue to fill those positions by using Quincy’s Calling campaign as an incentive.

“QC has done a great job at bringing people in and connecting them with the community,” said the Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF) president Kyle Moore.

Moore said since the program launched in 2021 they have moved 170 families to the city. The idea behind QC was to bring residents to the area when the population was declining. The program provides $5,000 in residential property taxes or $3,500 in rent to those newcomers who can prove they are employed and will live in Quincy for one year.

“We’re seeing people move from places that are deemed more desirable,” Moore said. “We’re seeing people move from Colorado, from Texas, from Florida.”

Moore said in total people from 33 states and one other country have benefitted from QC.

Michelle Zech, who moved from Kansas City one year ago, said QC was beneficial to her when the program organized meetups with other newcomers and community leaders to help immerse her in the city.

“It was the feeling of home,” Zech said. “And that feeling of people wanting you here.”

Zech, who works as the V.P. Human Resources Chief Officer at Blessing said QC has helped make her job easier too.

“Part of our challenge that every company is facing is recruitment and retention of staff,” Zech said. “And so it’s just one of those tools in our tool box that we utilize to attract and retain team members.”

Moore said in 2022 alone, 90 families moved to Quincy. He said they could increase those numbers if they can keep up with the current housing shortage.

“We’re seeing some good developments happen,” Moore said. “Certainly you’ve got a great project on the northeast end of town. You’ve got the townhomes here that are happening.”

Moore said efforts continue for him and other city leaders to sell Quincy.

“We have great jobs,” Moore said. “And we have an opportunity where people can live very large for a small amount of money.”

Moore said they’ve additionally promoted QC to college and high school graduates.

Any employer in Adams County can use QC as a tool to recruit.

To find out more about the program go here.

Muddy River News – May 5, 2023

Workforce development partners on the Adams County Works Career Guidance Team awarded prizes from local businesses to four area teachers in celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, May 8-12.

In a press release, Gena Finley, chair of the Adams County Works Career Guidance Team and program coordinator for Quincy Area Vocational Technical Center, said, “Teachers educate, inform, influence and shape future employees in their classrooms daily. We want to recognize their importance in preparing and educating children for careers in our community. Exposing students to career opportunities in our community benefits all of us, and we think these teachers deserve recognition.”

Teachers were encouraged to submit their information and a brief description of how they incorporate career readiness and Adams County companies into their class for a chance at appreciation prizes. Information was submitted from teachers in Adams County public and parochial schools. Winners were selected with consideration to how they inform students about careers in our community.

Teachers receiving appreciation prizes for their efforts in the classroom were:

• Emily Mason, a special education teacher at Central/Camp Point High School.
• Tylere Hustead, an 11th and 12th grade English teacher at Unity High School.
• Tammy Pilkington, a teacher at Unity High School who provides instruction to 8th-12th grade students in computer applications, marketing/entrepreneurship, 8th grade computers, consumer education and cooperative education
• Adam Weiman, a 7th and 8th grade agriculture teacher at Quincy Junior High School

Each teacher received a gift bag with merchandise and gift certificates totaling more than $150 each. The gifts were provided by:

• G & S Designs
• Dot Foods (Hagel Gift Card)
• QAVTC (Oil Change)
• Casino Lanes (Bowling)
• JWCC (Paraphernalia)
• Papa Murphy’s (Pizza)
• TCBY (Yogurt)
• Mercantile Bank (Gift Card)
• Blessing Health System (Paraphernalia)
• Quincy Chamber Bucks
• Quincy District Gift Certificate
• Quincy Community Theater Tickets
• Autoshine Car Wash

In addition to the recognition of teachers, Kyle Moore, GREDF president, provided an introduction and information was shared about the importance of education and how it prepares students for work.

The mission of the Career Guidance Team mission is to encourage, educate and connect: encourage and foster awareness of careers; educate youth and job seekers about area career opportunities; and build connections between families and local employers.

The Career Guidance Team is sponsored by:

• Great River Economic Development Foundation
• John Wood Community College
• Quincy University
• United Way of Adams County, Inc.
• West Central Region Ed. For Employment System No. 240
• Workforce Innovation Board of Western Illinois