[share] A “ready” workforce is critical for business and industry to remain competitive and thrive in the global marketplace. That’s why Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, have taken significant steps to invest in the region’s workforce for today and for the future.

Adams County Works

Career Guidance – Prepare youth to enter the workforce.

Work Readiness – Connect the willing to work.

Transition Planning – Advance current workers.

These are the 3 focus areas of Adams County WORKS, a concentrated and strategic workforce development effort that began in 2013. Representatives from business, education, social services and economic development are identifying and overcoming barriers to employment to meet your future workforce needs.  

Learn More
 

Building for Quincy

On November 4, 2014, the citizens of Quincy passed a historic $89 million dollar referendum to build 5 new elementary schools, build an addition to Quincy Senior High School and make technology improvements throughout the district. A strong school system is essential to a thriving community and its ability to produce tomorrow’s workforce.

In the words of Qui ncy inventor Parker Gates, “Let’s provide the slap on the back, the encouragement, the education, the money, and prove to our young people that our faith in them is not just their tomorrow… but Quincy’s tomorrow, too.”

Learn More
 

The Quincy Promise

The Quincy Promise is a four-year pilot program led by the City of Quincy to promote career, technical, health and workforce education for graduates of Quincy’s high schools
beginning in the 2015/2016 academic year.

It will provide two years of FREE tuition for students who pursue specific programs at John Wood Community College that lead to careers that are in high demand by employers in the area. The program is funded privately by local industries that realize the critical need for a future workforce.

Learn More
 

The QU Trust

The QU Trust scholarship program gives high schools students an opportunity to start earning micro-scholarships for their academic progress and educational accomplishments throughout high school, starting as early as ninth grade.

Thanks to a partnership with raise.me, students can earn up to $40,000 in scholarships for a broad range of achievements each semester, such as improving their GPA, serving in their community or taking a leadership role.

Learn More

[share]Silvia Torres Bowman, Director of the Illinois International Trade Center of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will conduct a FREE webinar on the fundamentals of exporting and the benefits of international trade.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

During this webinar you will learn:

• Why go global?
• Sources of advice: International Trade Center Network
• Steps for export success
• Evaluation of market opportunities
• Financial and technical assistance to small and medium-sized exporters: the ISTEP Program
• Challenges and potential rewards of selling abroad
• Illinois Exports: 2014 Highlights

You will also have an opportunity to ask questions of export specialist Silvia Torres Bowman.

To register, contact Stephanie Schatz of the SBA at stephanie.schatz@sba.gov or 217/793- 5020, 114. Ms. Schatz will send a confirmation and webinar access instructions.

U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loans

[share]Disaster loans are available from the U.S. Small Business Administration for victims in the declared disaster areas in Missouri and contiguous counties in Missouri and Illinois (including Adams, Calhoun, Monroe and Pike counties in Illinois) as a result of severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding occurring between May 15 and July 27, 2015.

**APPLICATION FILING DEADLINES**
Physical Damage: October 19, 2015
Economic Injury: May 18, 2016

What types of disaster loans are available?

Home Disaster Loans

Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate or personal property owned by the victim. Renters are eligible for their personal property losses, including automobiles.

Business Physical Disaster Loans

Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.

EIDL assistance is available only to entities and their owners who cannot provide for their own recovery from non-government sources, as determined by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

For more information, contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800.659.2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. GREDF Entrepreneurship Director Charles Bell is also available to answer questions at 217.223.4313 or charlesb@gredf.org. 

U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loans

[share]Disaster loans are available from the U.S. Small Business Administration for victims in the declared disaster areas in Missouri and contiguous counties in Missouri and Illinois (including Adams, Calhoun, Monroe and Pike counties in Illinois) as a result of severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding occurring between May 15 and July 27, 2015.

**APPLICATION FILING DEADLINES**
Physical Damage: October 19, 2015
Economic Injury: May 18, 2016

What types of disaster loans are available?

Home Disaster Loans

Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate or personal property owned by the victim. Renters are eligible for their personal property losses, including automobiles.

Business Physical Disaster Loans

Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.

EIDL assistance is available only to entities and their owners who cannot provide for their own recovery from non-government sources, as determined by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

For more information, contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800.659.2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. GREDF Entrepreneurship Director Charles Bell is also available to answer questions at 217.223.4313 or charlesb@gredf.org. 

Adams County Works Keeps Focus on Workforce Development in the Region

[share]Community and business leaders and stakeholders are making progress on a shared vision for workforce development in the Adams County region and are underscoring these efforts with a new brand. Representatives from the three Adams County Works teams shared progress and accomplishments as part of a press conference held on September 1st, in celebration of Illinois Workforce Development Week.

Previously known as the Adams County Workforce Initiative, Adams County Works is an effort that began in 2013 to identify and address critical workforce issues.

 The overarching goals of Adams County Works are to:

1. Prepare youth to enter the workforce
2. Connect the willing to work
3. Advance current workers

Three teams have been established to achieve these goals:

1. Career Guidance Team: Working with businesses to convey to individuals the career opportunities and earning potential available in the Adams County region
2. Work Readiness Team: Developing work-ready citizens to become successful, productive members of the regional workforce
3. Transition Planning Team: Ensuring that as workers retire, the knowledge of those retirees stays with local companies and within the community

Adams County Works is being guided by a steering committee consisting of representatives from the Workforce Board of Western Illinois, John Wood Community College, United Way of Adams County, Quincy University, West Central Region Education for Employment System #240, Quincy Public Schools, Vatterott College and the Great River Economic Development Foundation. 

In the coming weeks, eDevelopments will feature the work and accomplishments of each Adams County Works team, as well as provide information about how employers and individuals may get involved. Anyone interested in becoming a member of one of the Adams County Works teams should contact Angela Caldwell at 217.223.4313 or caldwella@gredf.org.

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YOU ARE INVITED!

Tri-State Tourism Summit

August 11, 2015

Mt. Pleasant, Iowa

10:00 am – 3:00 pm

You are invited to join the Tri-State Development Summit Tourism Task Force for the first Tri-State Tourism Summit. Speakers include experts in digital marketing, social media, tourism ROI, customer service and more.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Tourism, travel and hospitality professionals; convention and meeting planners; chamber of commerce and downtown/main street representatives; museum directors; small business owners; elected officials and anyone interested in learning more about digital marketing, social media, customer service and building great guest experiences in their community.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?
An action-packed agenda will include presentations by the Illinois and Missouri State Tourism Directors, a resource fair and brochure exchange (bring your brochures to share with your colleagues), networking lunch, panel discussions on social media and digital marketing and ROI of tourism and a keynote address, “Build Great Guest Experiences” by nationally-recognized speaker and trainer for the tourism and hospitality industry, Phil Bruno.

As an added bonus, our friends at Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance and Midwest Old Threshers invite you to an After-the-Summit FREE Ice Cream Social on the grounds of Midwest Old Threshers. Enjoy the best soft serve ice cream around while touring the grounds on the electric trolley, taking in the museums and if we’re lucky, riding the steam-powered carousel.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Download the registration form here. Advance registration is required. The cost is $25 per person and includes lunch. The deadline to register is Tuesday, August 4th. Early Bird Giveaway – Register by July 24th for your chance to win 2 round-trip tickets from Air Choice One or Cape Air. Two winners will be chosen at random from paid attendees list as of 5pm on July 24th. Winners will be announced at the Summit.

Please help us thank our SPONSORS for making this event possible.

Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are still available. Call Maggie at 217.223.4313 or email info@tristateofmind.org for more information.

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How are we doing?

It’s been 18 months since we unveiled the GREDF Strategic Plan. The plan is a guide for the Board of Directors, staff, committees and stakeholders and 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.

At this week’s quarterly board meeting, GREDF staff gave a mid-year progress report of the organization’s 2015 activities and goals as they relate to the Strategic Plan. We’d like to take this opportunity to share portions of that report with you, our stakeholders. 

Here’s our six goals and a quick overview of the progress we’re making: 

1. Business Retention & Expansion (BRE)

Goal: Conduct one official retention visit per week and record the data in BRE software so that we may track and respond to opportunities and threats. 

Progress: To date, we have conducted 16 BRE visits (31% of our annual goal) and assisted a number of companies with site-selection, workforce issues and referrals to our partner organizations.

2. Workforce Development 

Goal: Facilitate a coordinated workforce initiative to align activities of Adams County area organizations, and coordinate projects that directly connect local businesses with educators to help grow a well-educated and informed future workforce. 

Progress: To date we have coordinated 7 workforce team meetings with 31 participating entities. Our workforce coordinator, Angela Caldwell, has also facilitated 3 separate sector meetings involving representatives from manufacturing, healthcare and staffing agencies, and she has presented the Essential Workplace Skills initiative to TRiO students at John Wood Community College. 

3. Business Attraction 

Goal: Promote the Quincy/Adams County region to national and regional site consultants and individual companies who may have an interest in relocating or expanding. 

Progress: To date, we have met one-on-one with 18 consultants and communicated electronically with 104 national consultants on a monthly basis. We have responded to four Request for Proposals from companies looking to grow or expand, and are following up on 4 different leads as a result of our membership in the Community Venture Network partnership.    

4. Marketing/Branding

Goal: Design and implement a program to market, promote and brand the Quincy/Adams County region. 

Progress: Over 2,000 Quincy and Adams County residents participated in an online community survey conducted by North Star Destination Strategies. The survey is one component of the research North Star is conducting in order to develop a meaningful and competitive brand for our region. Next steps include a presentation on the research findings and then creative development. GREDF is taking the lead on this community-wide branding effort. 

5. Entrepreneurship Development

Goal: Nurture and encourage entrepreneurship in the Quincy/Adams County region by making information and assistance more readily accessible. 

Progress: To date, our Entrepreneurship Specialist Charles Bell has met one-on-one with prospective and new business owners conducting 12 start-up/financing meetings, 5 business expansion meetings, 7 business planning meetings and 1 market analysis meeting. Save the Date for the 3rd Annual Entrepreneurship Expo at the Quincy Mall on August 15th.    

6. Membership

Goal: Maintain and increase GREDF’s private membership investment by developing a clear rationale for support, restructuring member investment levels and defining management of the membership program.

Progress: As a result of the new Investor Program introduced last year, GREDF members increased their level of investment by 40% between 2014 and 2015. Of our members who have renewed so far this year, 60% have increased their level of giving and nearly 40% have maintained their membership level. Investing in GREDF helps us attract future investment, grow jobs and increase the competitive advantage of the entire region. THANK YOU for your support.

We invite you to view our Strategic Plan and the 2015 Mid-Year Performance Report in its entirety (some information, including business names, specific assistance and project details, has been removed to maintain confidentiality). 

We want to hear from you! Please tell us how you think we are doing by emailing gredf@gredf.org or calling 217.223.4313. Contact us today if we can assist you or your business. 

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Please help keep Jos. A. Bank in Quincy. Email your letter of support to gredf@gredf.org by Friday, June 12. GREDF will compile the letters and forward to the Men’s Wearhouse/Jos. A. Bank corporate leadership team.

Below is an example of language that could be incorporated into a letter, but we encourage you to personalize your letter. Call GREDF at 217.223.4313 or email maggies@gredf.org with any questions. Thank you.

Mr. Mark Neutze
Executive Vice President Store Operations
Men’s Wearhouse (Jos. A. Bank)

Re: Jos. A. Bank in Quincy, Illinois

Dear Mr. Neutze:

I am writing in regards to the potential closing of the Jos. A. Bank store in Quincy, Illinois. The Quincy store has been a very important business in downtown Quincy for over 20 years and is a destination store for men shopping for premium business wear from a 50-mile radius. Quincy is a regional center for retail shopping, dining and entertainment which is the reason retailers continue to open new stores in Quincy.

It is my understanding that the Quincy store continues to be profitable, has a dedicated and passionate store manager with decades of experience and serves a growing population. Quincy, in addition to being a retail hub, has a continually expanding health care industry. Blessing Health System, with over 3,000 employees, just this week opened an over $70 million dollar patient care addition less than a mile from the Jos. A. Bank store. Quincy Medical Group, with over 1,200 employees continues to add professional staff and capabilities, and is located just 5 blocks from the store. Executives and management from a broad variety of manufacturing and related industries continue to add professional talent, and many are current clients with both corporate and personal accounts. 

A group of concerned community leaders has come together to do everything it can to keep Jos. A. Bank in Quincy. It is my understanding that there are options to retain a profitable Jos. A. Bank in Quincy as either a franchise or company store. I believe there are also opportunities for its growth in both the short and long-term. Please consider making your business decision to keep Jos. A. Bank open in Quincy, Illinois, based on these opportunities.  

Kind regards,

[YOUR NAME]

[YOUR COMPANY]

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Quincy and Adams County Seek Resident Feedback in Survey by June 18

Survey aims to uncover residents’ perceptions of Quincy and Adams County

Quincy and Adams County have launched an intensive branding program aimed to discover, define and design the area’s competitive differentiator so it can stand out in the marketplace. To aid in this effort, residents are encouraged to fill out a short online survey by June 18, 2015, at:

www.brandquincy.com 

To bring outside objectivity to the project, Quincy and Adams County have partnered with Nashville-based North Star Destination Strategies. North Star has helped develop brands for more than 200 cities, regions, communities and municipalities nationwide.

“Over the next several months, using our Community BrandPrint process we’ll be digging out Quincy and Adams County’s competitive identity that is derived from the history, the culture, the geography and the society of a place,” said Don McEachern, CEO of North Star.  “Branding the City of Quincy and Adams County will give community members the tools to effectively manage the conversation that is taking place in order to build a reputation that is fair, honest and powerful.”

The integrated process includes research, strategy and creative development. The first stage is research and comprises about 80% of the work.  “Here we determine the state of your existing brand,” said McEachern.  More than 15 pieces of qualitative and quantitative research will paint a thorough picture of where Quincy and Adams County are today.  This research includes an assessment of the environment; inquiry origin, visitor origin, demographics and psychographics of residents and visitors; perceptions of visitors, residents and stakeholders; and a review of current communications and the competition. The Community Survey is a critical key to understanding the area from the perspective of a resident or business owner. 

Using that research, North Star will develop a brand strategy that is relevant to Quincy and Adams County’s current situation but also differentiates the area to consumers. “We are seeking to capture the essence and value of our community and to develop an effective comprehensive marketing and public relations plan based on this brand,” said Maggie Strong, VP of the Great River Economic Development Foundation.

The final stage of the project will involve the development of a brand identity guide for Quincy and Adams County. “You will get suggestions for a new logo and tagline as part of this guide. But a brand is so much more than that,” said McEachern. “Your community needs to wear this new brand like a second skin. We will provide you the creative tools and ideas to make that happen.” This includes ideas for communications, signage, special events, community outreach, online initiatives, merchandising and more.

“Our identity should appreciate the heritage of the community,” said Strong. “But we also want to represent a robust vision for the future that can be embraced by the entire region.”

 Quincy and Adams County Branding Project Overview

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Have you heard about the Mid-America Intermodal Port?

Established in 1999 by a compact between Illinois, Iowa and Missouri, the 26-county, Mid-America Port Commission was designed to be a catalyst for economic growth in the Tri-States. The developer of the first of six proposed physical Port projects is the Mid-America Intermodal Authority Port District, an Illinois Port located in the South Quincy Development District on the Mississippi River, approximately one mile below Lock and Dam 21 .

But what exactly is the Mid-America Intermodal Port? Let’s break it down:

Mid-America: The middle of America, a physical location that aligns with global business strategies and offers major market proximity.

Intermodal: The movement of freight by two or more modes of transportation. This port will have the ability to ship, receive or transload between truck, rail and barge at the South Quincy site and between truck and air at the regional airports.

Inland Port: A rail or a barge terminal that is linked by rail or inland waterway to a seaport with regular inland transport services.

Why should we care?

The total project cost is estimated at $70 to $80 million. That’s a huge investment for our region and translates into hundreds of jobs during the construction phase. Long-term, the Port will make the South Quincy Development District an ideal logistics location with more than 1,500 develop-able acres adjacent to the proposed Port location.

A number of companies currently located near the Port site have indicated the new Port facilities would drive significant capital investment and job creation adjacent to the new Port.

Promotion of the Mid-America Port development opportunities to prospective businesses and site consultants (such as this new brochure developed by GREDF) could lead to millions of dollars in investments by companies looking for a physical location that aligns with their global business strategies. The primary purpose and major benefit of the Port is to give regional businesses access to lower cost and best modes of transportation to help them stay globally competitive and keep jobs here.

In the works:

Over the past several weeks, Port and economic development officials have met one-on-one with a number of key officials, including; Paul “Chip” Jaenichen, Administrator, U.S. Maritime Administration; William Paape, Director, Gateway Inland Waterways, MARAD; Governor Bruce Rauner; Jim Schultz, Director, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity; Randy Blankenhorn, Secretary, Illinois Department of Transportation; and Wayne Rosenthal, Director, Illinois Department of Natural Resources to share this status update:

• The project has been selected as part of the USDOT Build America Transportation Investment Center Program, a fast-track project program providing technical assistance on permitting, public/private partnership structure, funding and other requirements.
• A $1.3 million grant from DCEO for permitting, design and engineering has been approved.
• The U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) has requested and received regular updates on the status of the project.
• The Port District and a local engineering firm are preparing the TIGER application.

The Bottom Line:

The Mid-America Intermodal Port has the potential to pay huge dividends for decades to come, maintaining and improving the economic vitality and quality of life of the entire tri-state region.

Click here to see the newest marketing piece for the Mid-America Intermodal Port. Want to know more? Contact us at 217.223.4313.