Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF), along with community partners, hosted an informational Zoom call to launch Quincy Concierge Services. The program works in conjunction with overall workforce development strategies and aims to provide another tool to attract and retain top talent by providing an ongoing community on-boarding process.

“As a transplant from Chicago, I could have used a program like Quincy Concierge Services when I moved,” states Joi Cuartero Austin, GREDF Marketing & Communications Director. “Even though people choose the Adams County region for work, it can still be difficult to connect socially with the community and make friends. We want the program to help build personal connections sooner and make sure people feel welcomed to the area.”

Quincy Concierge Services is intended for newcomers, boomerang residents, and those looking to plug into the Quincy & Adams County community.

For local businesses, the program can be offered in conjunction with existing talent attraction programs and can be utilized as a tool to promote the community when recruiting talent, or alongside orientation for the new employee and any family members.

Community Resource Guides are assigned to individuals or families based on needs and personal interests to connect with and follow up with guests as they transition into the region. Guides are available to guests as a resource, as well as to make connections and open doors.

GREDF is looking for Guides to add to a diverse team of current residents. A successful Guide is an overall promoter, and community cheerleader, with a general knowledge of the region and amenities offered. For more information on the program, and to find out more about becoming a Guide, please contact Joi Cuartero Austin at the GREDF offices: (217) 223-4313 | JoiA@gredf.org

The Adams County Works Transition Planning team welcomed guest speaker Julie Boll, Dare to Lead certified facilitator for the lunchtime seminar, which took place on Wednesday, July 22.

In the training, Julie states, “We all have our go-to shame shields when we are faced with difficult situations.  The three shields identified in Dr. Brené Brown’s research are: moving away, moving toward, and moving against.  My go-to shield is moving away.  If I see something wrong, or if someone attacks my work, my instinct is to move away and get small.  But when I’m crystal clear on my values, I can stand in them and stay anchored in a moment of conflict.  We can all use our values to help us stay grounded in conflict and help us make decisions about our future.”

Julie Boll, M.Ed. is the founder of Julie Boll Consulting, which provides strategic planning and leadership training for nonprofits. Julie is a certified Dare to Lead Facilitator, and, in 2019, was a part of the inaugural global cohort of Leadership and Organizational Development professionals selected by thought-leader Brené Brown to facilitate her work in organizations. As a Courage Catalyst in the Dare to Lead™ program, Julie focuses her work on helping nonprofits learn the skills, practices and tools needed to support brave leaders and build more courageous cultures.

Over the course of her career, Julie has helped her clients and employers secure more than $9.4 M in competitive grants from foundation, state and federal funders. Julie has more than 18 years experience in the nonprofit sector, serving in marketing, public relations and grant development roles. She is Grant Professional Certified by the GPCI Institute and a Grants Professionals Association (GPA) Approved Trainer. Julie has taught a graduate level course in Grant Writing at Quincy University, presented at state-wide and national conferences, and recently co-authored a peer reviewed journal article in the Grant Professionals Association Journal.

We were pleased to have Latonya Brock, executive director of the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce speak with our Adams County Works Transition Planning team, along with other community leaders on Increasing the Bottom Line Through Inclusive Culture.

The lunchtime seminar took place on Wednesday, June 24 via zoom with nearly 30 attendees. Latonya was hired as the Executive Director of the Chamber in September 2017.  She was originally hired as the Chamber’s Membership Manager in February 2016.  Latonya moved here from Indianapolis, IN. Prior to Chamber work, she was in the financial industry for 22 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies from Indiana Wesleyan University.  She is married to Jebora Brock. Together the couple has one adult son, two adult daughters, a teenage son, and seven grandchildren.

Latonya has been a leader of Diversity & Inclusion in the workplace and helps lead the Chamber Diversity & Inclusion committee, which serves as a subgroup within the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce that was formed to create awareness within our community as it relates to being diverse and inclusive.  The objective of the group is for businesses and organizations to look for ways or form actionable steps to embrace D&I and to leverage the strengths of all employees within their influence.

ADAMS COUNTY TOGETHER LAUNCHES “ONE STOP SHOP” WEBSITE

Last week Mayor Kyle More announced the formation of Adams County Together, a partner task force designed to coordinate, align and maximize the community’s response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 virus. Today, the task force has launched a website www.adamscountytogether.com as a resource for the community.

The website, led by Great River Economic Development Foundation, Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce and The District is a place for residents, businesses, and non-profits to seek information as they navigate the numerous federal, state, and local assistance programs.

“We have never been involved in a pandemic during my lifetime,” states Chamber executive director, Latonya Brock. “There is so much information coming towards our community from Federal, State, and City levels; we wanted to ensure these resources could be located in one central place. The website will help businesses and individuals find vital information to assist them in this process.”

Through the website individuals, businesses and non-profits can access direct links on relief assistance, grant funds and loan programs. Also available is guidance and frequently asked questions regarding the “stay at home order,” links to donate to local charities who are aiding in the relief effort, and even information on how each resident can help support the Adams County community.

Quincy Mayor Kyle Moore said, “The goal of Adams County Together is to make it a little easier for our residents, businesses and non-profits to help navigate the many programs available to them. We know families are wondering where they will get their next meal, businesses who are doing everything they can to keep their doors open and non-profits who are delivering essential services to our community with little to no funding coming in. We hope they will use this page as a resource to get every dollar available to them.”

“Our small businesses and residents wanted help to navigate the huge quantity of information,” agreed Bruce Guthrie, executive director of The District. “Community leaders and organizations came together to create one place for businesses of all sizes to go. This will give them every opportunity to find their way through this very challenging time.”

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Questions or follow up appointments can be made by calling the Mayor’s office at 217-228-4545.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The GREDF strategic plan should guide the Board of Directors, staff, committees and stakeholders for a period of three years with a goal of increasing the impact of GREDF on the region by 2020. It serves as a blueprint for Board policy decisions, guiding the organization’s investment in economic development initiatives, programs and projects. The plan also provides direction by anticipating and responding to changes in the local and national economy.

OUR MISSION

The Great River Economic Development Foundation exists to maintain and GROW the economic vitality of the Quincy & Adams County, Illinois region through the retention and expansion of existing businesses and the attraction of new businesses to our entire region.

OUR VISION

To preserve and enhance the business climate in the Quincy & Adams County, Illinois region through targeted and strategic economic development activities thereby maintaining and improving economic stability that has GROWTH of the regional economy as a central core for every action of the organization.

OUR VALUES

We view economic development as a collaborative process, resulting in an environment that benefits the community as well as business. To that end, we place a high value on trust, confidentiality and partnerships, and welcome the opportunity to work with businesses and organizations for the good of the entire region.

OUR FOCUS

1. Business Retention & Expansion
2. Workforce Development
3. Business Attraction
4. Marketing & Branding
5. Entrepreneurship Development
6. Membership & Sustainability

View the entire 2020 GREDF Strategic Plan including the strategies and measurements tied to each goal by clicking on the following link: GREDF 2020 Strategic Plan

Adams County, IL – Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF) kicks off 2017 with their Annual Meeting on Wednesday, January 11 at the Oakley Lindsay Center (OLC), 300 Civic Center Plaza in Quincy, IL. 5pm networking and cash bar will be in the OLC lobby, with the meeting and program at 5:45pm in the Quincy Community Theater.

The meeting will highlight 2016 accomplishments, what to look forward to in 2017 and acknowledge economic development successes due to the Power of Partnership.

“Partnership in its simplest form is defined as a relationship involving close cooperation between parties to achieve a common goal,” states Marcel W. Wagner Jr. CEcD, President

of GREDF. “Partnerships in Quincy and Adams County are a powerful part of the historical fabric that has made our community successful and will be at the core of the Great River Economic Development Foundation in 2017 and beyond.”

Joining GREDF and speaking at the meeting will be City of Quincy Mayor, Kyle Moore and Adams County Board Chairman, Les Post, providing City and County updates respectively.

The presentation will also address critical workforce development efforts. “When you have employers with a vested interest in education; educational institutions who listen and produce the curriculum to prepare students for current and future needs of employers; and human service agencies with a passion for guiding people to entities who prepare them to earn head of household incomes, you can see the power of partnership at work,” states Angela Caldwell, Director, Workforce Development & Administrator, Inspire Works. “Partnering employers and educators equips students and job seekers to fill up our workforce talent pipeline. A pipeline needed to sustain and grow, current and future business and create a dynamic local and regional economic outlook.”

All are welcome to attend this celebration of Quincy & Adams County and learn about plans to maintain and grow the economic vitality of the region.

For more information, contact Joi Cuartero Austin at GREDF (217) 223-4313.

Great River Economic Development Foundation is a 501(c)6 not-for-profit organization with a mission to maintain and GROW the economic vitality of the Quincy and Adams County, IL region through the retention and expansion of existing businesses and the attraction of new businesses to our entire region.

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Adams County, IL – Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF) had the privilege of being invited to present to Governor Bruce Rauner’s Rural Affairs Council, on Thursday, December 1^st during the council’s quarterly meeting. The Rural Affairs Council is chaired by Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti and comprised of senior representatives from multiple Illinois agencies.

Joi Cuartero Austin, marketing & communications for GREDF gave a 10-minute presentation during the meeting and was joined by Ryan McCrady, president of Economic Development Corporation of Decatur & Macon County, as well as Jonathon D. Hallberg executive director of Jefferson County Development Corporation.

The three spoke on a regional economic development panel answering questions for the council from various Illinois agencies including, Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Department of Employment Security, Finance Authority, State Board of Education, Department of Transportation and others.

The group covered topics from workforce development strategies, including working in tandem with our educational institutions and attracting/retaining millennials by investing in quality of life features, to regional development successes and challenges and the need for additional state investment incentives. Additionally, the panel was asked about suggestions for reform including workers compensation.

The Governor’s Rural Affairs Council (GRAC) was founded in 1986 by executive order to serve as a link between state and local agencies to improve the delivery of State of Illinois services, to support innovative rural development initiatives, and recommend programs and policies to help improve the quality of rural life in Illinois.

For more information, contact Joi Cuartero Austin at GREDF (217) 223-4313.

Great River Economic Development Foundation is a 501(c)6 not-for-profit organization with a mission to maintain and improve the economic vitality of Quincy and Adams County, IL through the retention and expansion of existing businesses and the attraction of new businesses to our communities.

Adams County, IL – Guests at the Tri-State Development Summit will have an opportunity to see autopilot technology in action, to coincide with the morning session of Technology in Transportation. Demonstration rides, showcasing the autopilot feature in a 2015 Tesla, will be made available, with a reservation, immediately following the Summit on Friday, November 18 at Iowa Wesleyan University.

“In addition to an exciting transportation update come to the Summit and get a peek at the future of highway travel in our region,” states Chuck Scholz, member of the Tri-State Summit steering committee. “Driverless vehicles are not only coming, they are here, and you can experience it!”

New speakers have also been added, including Michael Gould, manager of business development for the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Gould will provide an Iowa state update. Joining him with an Illinois economic development update will be Jim Schultz, co-founder and CEO of Intersect Illinois, the newly formed organization dedicated exclusively to increasing Illinois’ competitiveness for job creation and investment.

Also new is Stuart Anderson the director of planning, programming and modal division for Iowa Department of Transportation. Anderson will present with his Illinois and Missouri counterparts, directors Randall S. Blankenhorn and Patrick McKenna respectively, to share what is driving the future of transportation in each state.

“As usual, this summit brings together high-level speakers from a variety of backgrounds and areas of expertise,” said Jason Hutcheson, a member of the Summit steering committee. “It is a great opportunity to collectively raise the bar when it comes to an economic development strategy for Southeast Iowa, West Central Illinois, and Northeast Missouri.”

For more information about the Tri-State Development Summit, and to register, please contact Joi Cuartero Austin at JoiA@gredf.org or visit TriStateOfMind.com.

Hundreds of leaders from the tri-state region of northeast Missouri, southeast Iowa and western Illinois, are scheduled to attend the Tri-State Development Summit “Stronger Together,” to be held on Friday, November 18 at Iowa Wesleyan University – 601 N. Main St. Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Registration is still open, and all are welcome to attend.

With economic development at the forefront of conversation, the Summit has invited Jay Williams, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development to be the keynote speaker during the morning session.

As the Administrator of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), Williams is charged with leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the global economy.

Prior to joining the Department of Commerce, Jay served as the executive director of the Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers. In this capacity, he worked directly with state and local stakeholders in areas affected by the changing American automotive industry to deliver federal support to ensure they returned to better economic condition.

State updates will also be given by Chris Koster, Missouri Attorney General and candidate for Governor, as well as Jim Schultz, co-founder and CEO of Intersect Illinois and former director of the Illinois Department of Commerce.

In addition, Randall S. Blankenhorn, Patrick McKenna and Paul Trombino, the three directors of transportation for Illinois, Missouri and Iowa respectively, will join guests to talk about what the future of transportation looks like for the region, and in their states. Directors will cover topics from new technologies, to how we transform how we design and build our transportation infrastructure.

New this year, guests will be able to experience transportation technology in action with a 2015 Tesla on display. Demonstration rides in the vehicle featuring the autopilot function will be available to guests of the Summit. Space is limited for the demonstration rides, and summit attendees must contact info@tristateofmind.com to reserve a timeslot.

“What an exciting time in transportation with the advent of driverless vehicles,” states Patrick Poepping, Tri-State Summit committee member. “How this, and other technological advances, effects the three DOTs in the tri-state area should make for some very interesting reports at this year’s Tri-State Development Summit in Mount Pleasant. I look forward to hearing from all three of our top transportation officials on how their departments are preparing for & implementing to these fast pace changes in the transportation field.”

Tickets for the summit are $40 and include: a morning session, networking lunch with awards and recognition, and an afternoon session.