Did You Know…
The Rockford Region has established nimble, industry specific, and customized education-to-workforce pipelines ensuring the region has the skilled workforce essential to fulfilling the requirements of sticky jobs.
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The RAEDC and the Rockford Region
The RAEDC, as the Economic Development Agency for the region is also the data collection agency on all new capital investment in the area, retained and created jobs, and new or renovated space. As we enter into our Rockforward20/20 strategic plan, we will be informing all of you on project wins for our region as well as projects that we are working on with our various regional partners.
Measurements
Regional Impact Measurements
These figures represent the collective successes during the new Rockforward20/20 strategic plan. The plan began in January 2016 and will continue through December 2020.
The results shown below are for 18 months of the 60-month Rockfordward20/20 strategic plan.
* The decline in new or retained jobs is a result of temporary layoffs at a regional company. Learn more about the impact of these temporary layoffs.
The RAEDC has made changes to how it reports jobs in the region and is using Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) figures at the MSA level, which includes Boone and Winnebago Counties. Using December 2015 primary jobs as a baseline for comparison.
No projects have closed as a win; however, an adjustment of figures has resulted in an increase in New or Renovated Space.
Regional Economic Measurements
These figures represent data from May 2017.
RAEDC Updates
Foreign Direct Investment Opportunities Sought Out in Washington D.C.
The RAEDC represented the Rockford Region booth at the 2017 SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington DC. SelectUSA connects economic development organizations with global investors actively looking to create partnerships or expand into the United States.
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RAEDC Incorporates Additive Networking Opportunities at Paris Air Show
Rockford Region’s aerospace supply chain and pursued opportunities to expand their scope world-wide at the International Paris Air Show. The four-day show hosts more than 142,000 professionals and more than 2,300 exhibitors from 48 countries.
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Economic Development According to Nathan Bryant – Spec Buildings
Nathan Bryant, president & CEO of the RAEDC defines a different perspective on the role spec buildings have in the Rockford Region in this edition of Defining Economic Development.
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Fiat Chrysler Supplier Symposium Connects Tier-One Companies with Suppliers
Rep. Adam Kinzinger in collaboration with Growth Dimensions- Economic Development for Belvidere-Boone County and the RAEDC welcomed FCA North America to the Rockford Region on May 12 to foster connections with 40 Northern Illinois companies at a supplier symposium.
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Connect with Us Socially
The RAEDC shares informative and helpful news, events, and stories on our social networks. Be sure to connect with us so we can share your good news and events.
Regional News
Alignment Rockford Seeks Panelists and Facilitators for One-Day Capstone Project Selection Event
Alignment Rockford’s Career Awareness team is seeking individuals to help students brainstorm ideas to select their Senior Capstone project on August 30th, 2017 from 9:00-11:30 am at Discovery Center’s Kresge Hall.
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American Standard Circuits Releases New I-Connect007 eBook
American Standard Circuits, Inc recently released The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to… Flex and Rigid-Flex Fundamentals, co-authored by Anaya Vardya, President and CEO, and Dave Lackey, Director of Business Development.
DOWNLOAD>>>
Rockford Market Home Sales Average Prices Hit Decade High
Rockford Register Start reports home sales in the Rockford market (which includes Winnebago, Boone, and Ogle Counties) hit a decade high last month, putting the region on track to have its best year since 2007.
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Foundation with Rockford Roots Donates $1M to Engineering Program
Clark Legacy Foundation gift will benefit engineering partnership run by Rock Valley College and Northern Illinois University.
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Northwest Quarterly Magazine Reviews a Renaissance in Downtown Rockford
Within the past decade, major changes have occurred, signaling a trend that seems destined to bring back life to the downtown area – on both sides of the river.
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2017 RAEDC Annual Meeting
Save the Date!
November 15, 2015
(Re)Defining the Goal: The True Path for Career Readiness in the 21st Century
featuring Success in the New Economy producer & (Re)Defining the Goal author, Dr. Kevin Fleming.
Dr. Fleming is a passionate advocate for ensuring all students enter the labor market with a competitive advantage. He currently supports over 40 Career & Technical Education programs as a Dean of Instruction, CTE at Norco College (part of Riverside Community College District, California) and serves as vice president for the California Community College Association for Occupational Education.
Watch the video & learn more about the Annual Meeting at RockfordIL.com.
Sponsorship opportunities are available, contact Jimsi Kuborn for information.
Upcoming Events
Innovation Tuesday: The Amazon Effect – Tuesday, July 11
How to market like the world’s biggest online retailer. Few ever crack the code to making their online efforts work as an effective lead generation and referral source. But Amazon has.
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2017 Academy Expo – Wednesday, October 4 (Registration Deadline is July 31)
Alignment Rockford invites you to host a booth at the 2017 Academy Expo at no charge, to meet with 9th grade Rockford Public School students and discuss your career with them. Registration deadline is July 31st.
Sign up to be an Industry Expert (booth host)
Sign up to be a Hospitality Ambassador (event volunteer)
Manufacturing Day – Friday, October 6
Manufacturing Day is a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers. For those who want to get involved in planning: Beth Mead, CEANCI Community Outreach Coordinator at 815-921-1650.
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1 Million Cups – Wednesdays, 9 – 11 am
Entrepreneurs present their startup companies and learn how the community can help their business flourish. These meetings are held on a weekly basis.
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Rockforward20/20
Rockforward20/20 represents a bold vision for our future, this aggressive plan will cultivate opportunities to create and retain over 10,000 jobs and significantly increase capital investment in the region.
Learn more at RockfordIL.com/Rockforward2020. If you have not set up a brief meeting to explore how you can get involved, contact Jimsi Kuborn at 815-969-4259 or jkuborn@rockfordil.com.
The RAEDC
The RAEDC often works behind the scenes due to the confidential nature of business projects. Plus, big deals take time: The average time from start to completion on the project wins is 329 days.
We are committed to persistence and continuity in our work: We market the Rockford Region to the world, influencing companies to locate or expand here. We support and promote growth within targeted industries through regional public-private collaboration. We assist prospective and existing companies by connecting them to resources for workforce development, available buildings, supply chain partners, incentives and more.
Together, we will continue the momentum into 2017 for an even stronger, more sustainable economy. Together, we will Trailblaze, Inspire Action, Align, Seed and Serve!
RAEDC Board of Directors & Staff
RockfordIL.com
ABOUT THE RAEDC
The role of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council (RAEDC) is to collaborate with regional stakeholders to cultivate opportunities for primary job growth that increase the economic well-being of our region. The RAEDC markets the region to attract new capital investment, while assisting existing business with resources for sustainable growth. The RAEDC works closely with many partners to improve the competitiveness of the region by taking what it learns from the region’s employers and engaging the community in the daily work of economic development. As the economic development organization for the region, the RAEDC also serves as the area’s data collection agency on all new capital investment, retained and created quality jobs, and renovated commercial/industrial space.
Rockford Area Economic Development Council
100 Park Avenue, Suite 100, Rockford, IL 61101 | information@rockfordil.com
T: 815.987.8118 | www.RockfordIL.com
