McHenry Market Pulse: Public Participation needed as part of State of Illinois Economic and Workforce Development Initiative!!!

· The State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Illinois Community College Board and Illinois Community College Council of Presidents in cooperation with regional workforce investment boards are hosting ten public forums. The forums are part of a statewide effort which will result in a Five-Year Workforce Investment Strategic Plan. This endeavor is part of a multi-year initiative to assist these organizations in understanding the needs of companies doing business in the State of Illinois.

· Below is the Target Audience sought for participation at the public forums as listed on the Illinois Community College Board Workforce Education Strategic Planning Forum website: http://icsps.illinoisstate.edu/machform/view.php?id=26661.

Those seeking to participate can also use this website to register. McHenry County is part of the northeast Economic Development Region…

Target Audience:

State Agency Partners
Community College Executive Leadership – College Presidents, Trustees, Career & Tech Ed Administrators, Adult Education Administrators, and Continuing & Community Education Administrators
Local Workforce Investment Boards, One Stop Managers and Employment Security Office Managers
Regional and/or local economic development organizations
High School Superintendents
Large and Small Employers – particularly those representing target sectors
Business and Industry Professional Organizations, including local/regional Chambers of Commerce
Community Based Organizations
Local Elected Officials

· The Strategic Plan will provide a foundation to coordinate workforce education with community college training programs and provide a catalyst to assist with business attraction and retention, as well lay the foundation for students entering the workforce. This is a holistic economic development effort in support of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

· The following links to the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity websites provide additional information about the department, statewide economic development initiatives, Workforce Investment Act and Workforce Innovation Fund:

http://www.illinois.gov/dceo/Pages/default.aspx (State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity)

http://www2.illinoisworknet.com/wioa (Workforce Investment Act and Workforce Innovation Fund)

As part of this effort public participation in the ten regional forums is being sought to provide additional information, educate and facilitate a dialogue on the Strategic Plan, and this statewide economic development effort… Attendance at these forums requires a three-hour time commitment, and each forum will include a panel of employers and group discussion will be facilitated by Maher & Maher. Attendees will receive a meeting agenda and other supporting documentation prior to the forum date.

For additional information or if you have questions please contact: Jennifer Foster, Deputy Director for Adult Education and Workforce, 217-785-0171 or Jennifer.Foster@illinois.gov; Brian Durham, Deputy Director for Academic Affairs, (217) 524-5502 or brian.durham@illinois.gov; or Lavon Nelson, Senior Director for Workforce Development, (217) 557-2742 or Lavon.nelson@illinois.gov.

I will be attending the May 5, 2015 forum on behalf of the City of McHenry!!!!!!!

Coming in future blog posts:

What are economic development clusters and value chains?

What are SIC, SOC and NAICS codes and what were/are they used for?

What factors do non-retail businesses consider when thinking about relocating?

How do brick and mortar businesses remain competitive with on-line businesses?

What are Class A, B and C spaces?

Franchising? What is it? What companies offer it and what challenges are associated with attracting a retailer which operates exclusively using franchising?

Future trends in economic development: “market segmentation” “showrooming”; “pop-up” stores; “placemaking/third places” and “creating an experience”….