[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… More

Business Survey Results Reveal Region’s Strengths and Areas for Growth [share]203 individuals and organizations responded to the online survey conducted by the Great River Economic Development Foundation in partnership with the City of Quincy and Adams County. The 13-question survey was designed to gauge the current business environment in our region and set benchmarks for measurable… More

FREE 16-Week Training Session Starts August 26 [share]John Wood Community College will offer a free 16-week manufacturing training starting August 26 at its Workforce Development Center at 4220 Kochs Lane in Quincy. The training is focused on helping participants gain qualifications for entry level manufacturing jobs, which are in high demand regionally. The program will… More

Mr. Wagner Goes to Washington [share] The recent trip to Washington, DC, for the Congressman Aaron Schock Fly-In was a very productive event for GREDF and our region. Mayor Kyle Moore, Amy Looten, Executive Director of the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce, and GREDF’s own Marcel Wagner traveled together and had the opportunity to discuss important issues… More

Funding for Local Workforce Programs [share]The Workforce Investment Act should be reauthorized to ensure funding is available for local workforce training. The availability of skilled labor has become a key factor in site selection and expansion decisions, and our ability to retain and attract businesses directly impacts the well-being of our region and the ability… More

Local Organizations Partnering to Host Entrepreneurship Event at Quincy Mall Event will be held Saturday, August 10th at 9:30am in the Community Room [share]Several Quincy area organizations are coming together to host an informational event for current and aspiring entrepreneurs on Saturday, August 10th. The meeting will take place in the Quincy Mall Community Room… More

Let’s Create Jobs, Illinois! [share]The following article was written by Casey Gordon and originally appeared on July 8, 2013, on the Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center’s (IMEC) blog. Advantage Illinois Advantage Illinois is the Illinois Department of Commerce and Opportunity’s (DCEO) enhanced portfolio of lending and venture capital programs. These programs are designed to provide Illinois… More

Let’s Create Jobs, Illinois! [share]The following article was written by Casey Gordon and originally appeared on July 8, 2013, on the Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center’s (IMEC) blog. Advantage Illinois Advantage Illinois is the Illinois Department of Commerce and Opportunity’s (DCEO) enhanced portfolio of lending and venture capital programs. These programs are designed to provide Illinois… More

[share] Rivers Issues are Driving New Partnerships Over the past several weeks GREDF President, Marcel Wagner and Director of the Quincy Entrepreneurship Center, Charles Bell, have had the opportunity to meet with a number of groups that have the same concerns about the future of river transportation as our organization. Meetings with Department of Transportation… More

A collaboration of GREDF, the City of Quincy and Adams County [share] Economic development is not an endeavor of a single person or even a single organization. Successful economic development is a collaborative and aggressive process. That’s why GREDF, in partnership with the City of Quincy and Adams County, has developed a business survey to… More