McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce Business Scramble
On April 24, 2015 I attended the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce Business Scramble. If you are not familiar with this event, this was my first time attending, it’s a networking opportunity for businesses to make connections, begin establishing new relationships or enhancing existing ones to further their business needs for the future. This description really does not do the event justice and I definitely will attend next year and would recommend it to any business. I thought it was an extremely beneficial opportunity to meet new people; learn about new businesses and some of the needs and challenges businesses face daily.
Some people asked me why I attended the event and the simple answer is to sell the City of McHenry and the City’s strong desire to encourage business development and make it as easy as possible for businesses to locate, expand and/or remain in the City of McHenry. It also provided me an opportunity to explain what my position entails and gave me the chance to offer some insight about the City and its approach pertaining to promoting economic development. The event was entertaining and provided a wonderful forum to network. I have since followed-up with a couple of individuals who attended the event. I have stated to every one I meet and offer this to anyone interested in learning more about what the City does to promote business-please come talk to me, interact through this blog, email me or call me. I am more than happy to explain the City’s approach to economic development.
Illinois Community College Board Workforce Education Strategic Planning Forum
This past Tuesday I attended the Illinois Community College Board Workforce Education Strategic Planning Forum at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, IL. The purpose of this event was to seek input from individuals working for different governmental entities, community colleges as well as other economic development professionals in the private sector about fostering workforce development for the future. This was part of a statewide strategic planning process about how community colleges can engage, formulate partnerships with the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and other stakeholder groups to enhance workforce development.
This is part of a holistic effort stemming from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. For more information, the following link provides a fact sheet: http://www.doleta.gov/WIOA/pdf/. This federal legislation mandates regional economic development planning to align the community college system and the State of Illinois Workforce Development System to provide direction and meet current and future workforce demands in a dynamic economic, demographic and socioeconomic environment. A panel of consisting of employers and economic development professionals provided information about the challenges they face daily, specifically pertaining to fulfilling workforce demands.
Northeast Economic Development Region
McHenry County is part of the State of Illinois’ Northeast Economic Development Region, which includes: Lake, DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, Cook, Kendall, Will, Grundy and Kankakee Counties. The graphic above depicts the Northeast Economic Development Region in relation to the rest of the state.
The Northeast Economic Development Region is one of ten such regions throughout the State of Illinois. Each region includes multiple Local Investment Workforce Areas. The Northeast Region consists of seven Local Workforce Investment Areas and 22 community colleges.
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McHenry County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and Economic Clusters
Another regional economic development planning effort being undertaken by the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation is the completion of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy will assist in qualifying McHenry County and communities within the county for federal Economic Development Administration dollars. The strategy is a regional effort and also encompasses Boone and Winnebago counties. If you are interested in providing input you can do so using the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Z5GN3PF.
Below is a diagram depicting Manufacturing and Service/Economic Clusters in McHenry County. Economic Clusters are high concentrations of specific industries in close geographic proximity to one another. Clusters are defined using North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Codes, which are simply numerical codes utilized to classify businesses. NAICS Codes have for the most part replaced the formerly utilized Standard Industrial Classification (SIC Codes), which are still used to some degree by different organizations. Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system is another coding system to collect data and utilized by governmental agencies and organizations to classify workers into occupational categories.
A press release from Governor Bruce Rauner’s office announced it will host a resource and networking event in Aurora to promote economic growth of small and diverse businesses at Waubonsee Community College in Aurora. The purpose of the event is to increase the number of state certified vendors. It will assist in providing entrepreneurs with the knowledge and resources used to participate in the state’s procurement and contracting processes.
The Make a Connection: “Connecting Communities to Illinois Business Opportunities” event, is open to the public and there is no charge. This is one in a series of ongoing events around the state and will be held on Friday, June 5, 2015, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Waubonsee Community College’s Aurora Campus.
“This upcoming Business Enterprise Program event provides an excellent opportunity for Aurora and its surrounding communities to learn about doing business with the state of Illinois,” said CMS Acting Director Tom Tyrrell. “Our hope is that the event will bring area entrepreneurs, business owners, and key stakeholders together to lay the foundation for successful relationships that will help them grow dynamically.”
Workshop presentation topics will include CMS’ Illinois Business Enterprise Program, promoting economic development of businesses owned by minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its certification programs; as well as information from the Bureau of Strategic Sourcing on state agencies’ buying process; and the Procurement Technical Assistance Center.
CMS hosts community outreach events throughout the year to assist businesses on opportunities to grow and increase revenue. Registration is recommended and more information, as well as registration details can be found at www.CMS.Illinois.gov/Events.
Importance of Economic Clusters and Value Chains
Comprehensive Economic Development Planning on a state and regional level is paramount to the future economic well-being of the City and Counties of McHenry, Chicagoland Region, State of Illinois and Midwest. Economic clusters can be utilized by economic development professionals to target specific industries and locate similar businesses within close geographic proximity to one another. By doing so businesses can work directly with suppliers, and complimentary industries thereby leveraging savings on transportation/freight costs, production, etc. Value chains are formed when businesses connect and form these synergistic partnerships mutually beneficially to all those involved. Economic development, due its evolving and dynamic nature, is continually being evaluated and opportunities analyzed to leverage savings. Economic clusters and the formation of value chains are integral to any successful economic development strategy.
Benefit of Regional Economic Development Planning
Included in this post are several efforts being undertaken at multiple levels of government which excite me as an economic development professional. Attending these events has provided me the opportunity to sell the City of McHenry in addition to learning more about what is happening locally and regionally and how I can capitalize on the information and opportunities for the benefit of the City of McHenry. Even if a business does not locate in the City of McHenry there are still benefits the City will realize, if the business locates within the region, which are derived in the larger economy.
The City of McHenry is fortunate to have numerous national and international companies which are included in these economic clusters. The establishment and expansion of value chains within these industries has been occurring for a long time. The completion of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and work undertaken by Illinois Community Colleges, as well as the efforts by the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, will foster continued growth of existing value chains and strengthen the City of McHenry’s strong manufacturing, industrial and office workforce base.
Economic development needs to be successful on many levels including regionally in order to be successful at the local level. In earlier posts I spoke about the connection and relationship between economic growth in Chicago and the region and its impact on local economies, as well as the importance of importing/exporting. Chicago is an economic engine for not only the State of Illinois, Midwest, United States but on a global-scale. I am very excited about all the partnerships I have been a part of and relationships being developed regionally and a renewed sense of commitment pertaining to economic development by the State of Illinois. This can only benefit the City of McHenry and I encourage you to participate in these or other events if you are interested or to simply learn more about all efforts and ways in which they are interconnected to formulate a strong regional and local economy!!!!!!!
Please continue to provide feedback, submit questions and comments because economic development is a community-wide effort!!!!
Coming in future blog posts:
· What factors do non-retail businesses consider when thinking about relocating?
· How do brick and mortar businesses remain competitive with on-line businesses?
· Chicago Metro Metal Consortium..
· Illinois Small Business Development and International Trade Center…
· 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;“ “pop-up” stores; “placemaking/third places” and “creating an experience”….
Douglas P. Martin
Director of Economic Development
City of McHenry
333 S Green Street
McHenry, IL 60050
815.363.2110 (d)
815.363.2173 (f)
815.790.4752 (c)
@McHenryIL
