[share]Outgoing GREDF Chairman of the Board Dan Henke addressed over 300 business and community leaders at the 2016 Great River Economic Development Foundation meeting on January 13, 2016. These are his remarks:

GREDF is two years into a three-year strategic plan for economic development. The plan guides our organization’s investment of time and limited financial resources in initiatives, programs, and projects. It is a product of your feedback and guidance. And it exists, GREDF exists, to serve the business community. We serve you. 

Our mission at GREDF is to maintain and improve the economic vitality of the Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, region, through the retention and expansion of existing businesses and the attraction of new businesses to our entire region.

To that end, we focus on six domains: Business retention and expansion, workforce development, business attraction, marketing and branding, entrepreneurship development and membership.

Our organization… and our region… have made progress over the last two years. Companies are innovating and growing. Entrepreneurs are investing in ideas and business plans. Organizations are partnering to prepare our future workforce. While we’ve faced our share of challenges, good things are happening. How do we know this? Because we’ve conducted more than 115 business retention visits in the last 24 months and heard from dozens of business leaders about their plans to invest and grow in the Quincy and Adams County region.   

Quincy and Adams County is already a good community. Quincy celebrated our 175th anniversary last year with great enthusiasm and pride. But we know it can be better. The question is: How? What is our vision for Quincy for the next 175 years? How are we going to get there?

The economic stability Quincy has experienced over the last 175 years has not happened by chance. It’s the result of hard work, persistence, and planning. To make that future strong and prosperous for the next 175 years, we must continue to work together, and plan strategically.

Economic development organizations like GREDF are critical to maintaining and growing globally competitive communities. GREDF operates in a complex and dynamic 21st century economic landscape that is impacted by shifts in local, national and global markets.

Not only are we asked to ensure that our community attracts, retains and grows successful businesses and talented people, we are asked to do so with reduced public funding while engaging a broad range of stakeholders in every aspect of our work. We have earned the confidence of these stakeholders as evidenced by a 60 percent increase in private funding since 2013.

Fundamentally, the purpose of economic development is to improve well-being in a community by facilitating the creation and retention of jobs and wealth. Our community must remain focused on strategic growth and GREDF remains the organization to lead these efforts.

2016 is a year of opportunity. For our part, GREDF will continue to nurture collaboration with community partners to help stimulate job creation, economic development and build community capacity and leadership.

We recognize that people are the heart of economic and community development. People provide the talent and labor that enables economies to thrive, and they are the main reason we engage in economic development and cultivate prosperity.

As we look toward 2016 and beyond… at the next 175 years… It’s time for Quincy and Adams County to reinvest in our future.

While every community has the potential to achieve greater economic development, many do not ever experience their full potential because they fail to plan strategically and invest wisely.

GREDF and the communities we serve have the potential to help investors commercialize their ideas; help entrepreneurs launch successful enterprises; help employers grow and sustain their operations; help individuals achieve meaningful career pathways; and help investors maximize the return on their investment. But we need your help.

This is our call to action. Let’s set and live by high expectations. Let’s plan creatively and reduce the need for crisis reactivity. Let’s support business expansion. Let’s cultivate new leaders. Let’s increase our visibility in the global marketplace. Let’s focus on continual improvement and ask ourselves, “How can we do better?”

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The new Quincy/Adams County community brand – Right on Q – was unveiled during a public announcement following the Great River Economic Development Foundation Annual Meeting on January 13, 2016, at the Oakley-Lindsay Center in Quincy.

The brand tag line is Right on Q and the logo mark is a distinct Q shape that represents various aspects of the Quincy and Adams County region. The announcement featured a narrative video and presentation that included ways the new brand will be implemented. The brand was developed by North Star Destination Strategies.

“Every community has a brand reputation or identity… what people say about them when they’re not around,” said Abby Biswell, a Quincy Senior High School junior and one of the presenters of the evening. “More than a year ago, nine community organizations decided to work together to propel the image of our community forward. These organizations formed the Brand Quincy/Adams County Partnership with the purpose of developing a cohesive, distinct and memorable brand,” Biswell added.

Members of the Brand Quincy/Adams County Partnership include:

City of Quincy
Adams County
Arts Quincy
The District
Great River Economic Development Foundation
Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce
Quincy Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
Quincy Park District
Oakley-Lindsay Center 

The brand narrative captures the essence of the community. “Quincy and Adams County is the kind of place where going the extra mile in everything is an everyday thing. When people need a hand, or visitors need a welcome, Quincyans seem to be there, Right on Q.”

The logo represents different aspects of Quincy and Adams County depending on the viewer. Some people may see a cross section of corn representing the region’s agricultural history, the gears of a Hollister-Whitney elevator, a Knapheide wagon wheel or a Titan wheel. Or perhaps the viewer sees the spokes of the Golden Windmill or a paddleboat wheel in the Mississippi River. Others may see the keystone detail found in some of the beautiful architecture in our historic districts. And of course, the Q, which is a distinct and unique letter in and of itself is prominent.

The website, www.QuincyRightonQ.com features the narrative video, links to social media and the ability to download the design files and graphics standards guide. The site also offers the opportunity for individuals and organizations to electronically sign the Brand Charter to show support for the new brand.

The members of the Brand Quincy/Adams County Partnership have already begun implementing the new brand into their marketing and public relations efforts and businesses and organizations are invited to do the same. A volunteer Brand Implementation Team (BIT) has been formed to lead the ongoing implementation of a strategic action and communications plan and ensure the brand gains traction and maintains momentum.

Former Mayor Chuck Scholz gave the evening’s final remarks, reiterating what the brand can do for our community. “What I like so much about this brand is that it not only testifies to all that is good… all that is great about our community. This brand challenges us to be better. Because we now we can be better. It’s our heritage after all,” Scholz said.

Scholz ended the night by repeating the finals lines of the brand narrative:

“We know Quincy and Adams County best by heart. A heart for caring and the common good. A heart that leads people to give, for as long as it takes. A heart that goes the extra mile to welcome you, support you, and encourage you.

That’s not just our promise. It’s our heritage. Quincy, in Adams County, Illinois… Right on Q.”

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GREDF is two years into a three-year strategic plan for economic development. The plan guides our organization’s investment of time and limited financial resources in initiatives, programs and projects. It is a product of feedback and guidance from the business community. And it exists, GREDF exists, to serve that business community. 

Our mission at GREDF is to maintain and improve the economic vitality of the Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, region, through the retention and expansion of existing businesses and the attraction of new businesses to our entire region.

To that end, we focus on six domains: Business retention and expansion, workforce development, business attraction, marketing and branding, entrepreneurship development and membership. GREDF must be accountable to our investors and the business community, which is why we are pleased to share this 2015 Annual Performance Report.

2015 ANNUAL GREDF Strategic Plan Report

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Every community has a brand reputation or identity… what people say about them when they’re not around. More than a year ago, nine community organizations decided to work together to propel the image of our community forward. We formed the Brand Quincy/Adams County Partnership with the purpose of developing a cohesive, distinct and memorable brand.

Please join:

City of Quincy, Adams County, Arts Quincy, The District, Great River Economic Development Foundation, Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce, Quincy Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Quincy Park District and the Oakley-Lindsay Center

on Wednesday, January 13, 2016, at 5:00 pm at the Oakley-Lindsay Center in Quincy as we unveil the new community brand.

Cash Bar & Networking 5:00 pm
GREDF Annual Meeting 5:45 pm
Brand Announcement 6:00 pm

[share]Developed by the Adams County Works Work Readiness Team, the Work Ready Toolbox helps job seekers build the skills they need to succeed in today’s workplace. The Toolbox, which is located on the United Way of Adams County website, includes videos, tips and mini-lessons designed for individuals who need assistance with essential workplace skills. 

The Adams County Works Work Readiness Team remains focused on their mission: Developing work ready citizens to become successful, productive members of the regional workforce. 

In addition to the new Toolbox, the Team is in the process of re-validating the Essential Workplace Skills (ESW) in an effort to ensure the skills remain relevant to the current expectations of regional employers. View the updated skills below and download the EWS endorsement form to sign and return to Angela Caldwell at caldwella@gredf.org. 

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Baby Boomer Gap Workforce Survey

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY.

On behalf of the Adams County Works Transition Planning Team, we would like to invite Adams County employers to participate in a brief survey entitled, “Adams County Baby Boomer Gap”. The deadline to complete the survey is Wednesday, November 11, 2015.

The purpose of the brief, 10-question survey is to help the Transition Planning Team ascertain the impact of the baby boomers exit from the Adams County workforce so that the Team can help employers close the gap.

Members of the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce, Great River Economic Development Foundation and the Society of Human Resource Management Group should have received a link to the survey in their email inboxes on Wednesday, November 4th. The Transition Planning Team would like to extend the invitation to participate in the survey to all employers in Adams County as well as employers with significant numbers of employees living in Adams County.

Employers may choose to share their contact information or remain anonymous. The survey results will only be shared with the public in an aggregate format to maintain the confidentiality of those who participate.

Thanks for your participation!

TAKE THE SURVEY

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Interests: Manufacturing, Distribution & Logistics, Agriculture, Healthcare, Tourism, Retail

Looking for: Start-ups, businesses looking to expand, young professionals, skilled laborers, entrepreneurs, investors, developers, creative thinkers

The Adams County Regional Economy Profile provides an industrial and demographic overview for our geographic area. This comprehensive assessment is intended to provide pertinent information about the region’s economic base, competitive attributes and population trends in order to help guide local and regional development. 

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The Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Illinois Department of Employment Security and the Workforce Board of Western Illinois and the Great River Economic Development Foundation will be hosting an

Employer Workshop

Wednesday, September 30, 2015
9:00 am – 12:30 pm

Oakley-Lindsay Center
300 Civic Center Plaza
Quincy, Illinois

Learn About:
– Surviving an Audit
– Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
– Filing a UI Protest
– Employer Services
– Local Labor Market Information

Stay for lunch!
Jeff Mays, Director of Illinois Department of Employment Security, will speak and host a question and answer session.

RSVP by September 28th.
Quincy Workforce Service Center
(217) 222-1560, Ext. 230

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Manufacturing Day Press Conference

Great River Economic Development Foundation, John Wood Community College, West Central Region Education for Employment System #240 and the Workforce Investment Board of Western Illinois will hold a press conference celebrating National Manufacturing Day on Friday, September 25, 2015, at 8:00 am at Titan International Headquarters, 1120 N 28^th Street (corner of 28^th & Cedar) in Quincy. National Manufacturing Day is October 2, 2015.

Angela Caldwell, Workforce Development/Data Management Specialist, Great River Economic Development Foundation; Kim Boccardi, Director of Marketing, Titan International, Inc.; Mark Pfleiger, Director, West Central Region Education for Employment; Blanche Shoup, Director, Workforce Investment Board of Western Illinois; and Mike Elbe, President, John Wood Community College, will each make brief remarks. Mayor Kyle Moore will make an official proclamation recognizing October 2, 2015, as Manufacturing Day in the City of Quincy.   

For more information contact Maggie Strong, maggies@gredf.org or 217.223.4313

JWCC to Hold Manufacturing Expo at Workforce Development Center

Robotics, 3D Prototypes, Pneumatics and Motor Controls to be on Display; 200 High School Students to Attend, Public Invited

John Wood Community College will host a Manufacturing Expo Friday, September 25 at the College’s Workforce Development Center, located at 4220 Kochs Lane in Quincy. The public is invited to attend from 12 to 2 p.m. free of charge.

The event is part of National Manufacturing Month and aimed at educating the region on the new world of manufacturing. More than 17 percent of Adams County employees are in the manufacturing sector, which is full of head-of-household careers for individuals with the right skills.

During the expo, participants will learn about the new technology used in the manufacturing industry through demonstrations and interactive displays. Robots, 3D printers, virtual welding, computer numeric control machines and state-of-the art industrial maintenance technology will be featured inside the JWCC Workforce Development Center.

JWCC instructors will demonstrate how a product is taken from concept and computer animation to its 3D prototype and production using new equipment used by regional employers.

Representatives from Knapheide Manufacturing, Doyle Manufacturing, Moss Industrial Training Skills, Sheet Metal Workers Local 91, Trinity Containers LLC, Kohl Wholesale, Fastenal and Lincoln Welding will showcase products and equipment during the expo. 

Earlier in the day, approximately 200 area high school students will visit the expo as part of a regional manufacturing career exploration effort. From 8:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. students will visit the JWCC Workforce Development Center and tour ten manufacturing sites arranged by the Great River Economic Development Foundation. Students from QHS, QND, Pleasant Hill, Southeastern, Camp Point Central, Liberty, Payson and Western in Illinois, Highland in Missouri and Keokuk in Iowa will tour regional manufacturing companies, including Titan International, Gardner Denver, Knapheide, Manchester Tank, ADM, Hollister Whitney, Gates Air, Craig Industries and Phibro Animal Health.

Information about JWCC career and technical programs, as well as admissions and financial aid will also be available. 

The event is a collaborative effort among JWCC, Great River Economic Development Foundation, Workforce Investment Board of Western Illinois and the West Central Education Regional Education for Employment System #240. For more information, contact David Hetzler at 217.641.4953 or dhetzler@jwcc.edu.