My Perspective – Letters to the Rockford Region
The Importance of Manufacturing
Some people question why manufacturing is so important to our local economy. Roughly, 20 percent of the Rockford Region’s workforce is employed in manufacturing versus an average of approximately 10 percent for the State of Illinois and 9 percent for the nation as a whole.
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.
RAEDC Events
Annual Meeting & Dinner: Wed, November 16th
LIMITED SEATING AVAILABLE
The Annual Meeting and Dinner has been confirmed for Wednesday, November 16th at Giovanni’s Restaurant & Conference Center. The RAEDC Board of Directors and Staff are proud to welcome Mr. David Storch, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of AAR, as the keynote speaker.
AAR is a leading provider of diverse products and value-added services to the worldwide aviation/aerospace and government/defense industries.
Corporate Tables and individual reservations are available now. Seats are going quickly, reserve online at RockfordIL.com/AnnualMeeting2016.
For more information contact Jimsi Kuborn, Vice President of Investor Relations at 815-969-4259 or JKuborn@RockfordIL.com.
Principal Sponsor |
Keynote Presenting Sponsor |
|
Premier Sponsors Supporting Sponsor: ComEd
|
|
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 the first 10 months of the 60 month Rockfordward20/20 strategic plan.
There were two regional project wins in October, a Rockford manufacturer expanded warehouse space and hired to support a significant purchase order, and a logistics company established operations in Rockford with a high growth potential.
Regional Economic Measurements
These figures represent data from September 2016.
Website Measurements
These figures represent data from July 1 – October 31, 2016.
RAEDC Updates
The Impact of FTZ #176
Illinois is ranked on top for foreign trade zone activity during 2015 based on data from the FTZ Board’s Annual Report to Congress.
RAEDC Announces 2017 Board of Directors
The RAEDC announces its 2017 Board of Directors, following approval of recommendations by the RAEDC Nominating Committee.
Introducing CORE Conversations and CORE Talent
The CORE of the RAEDC’s economic development work is the Rockford Region’s current employers. The RAEDC reaches out to the operational heads of companies through CORE Conversations, the RAEDC uses these confidential meetings to learn about the business as well as about how industry trends are impacting their operations.
The Impact of Innovation – Manufacturing
The infographic demonstrates the impact innovation has in the manufacturing industry. Companies with new products planned were 86 percent more likely to have increased sales and 51 percent more likely to have increased market share.
Regional Wins
Rockford MSA Leads Job Creation
Rockford MSA leads job growth rate in Illinois for second month in a row based on IDES data.
Rockford Region Raises Its Game
The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau announced the addition of four large-scale sports tournaments that will take place in the Rockford Region in 2017. Collectively, participants, coaches, and fans that travel to the region for the tournaments are expected to have an estimated economic impact of $5 million during their stays.
More Than a Chicago Cubs Win
Guerilla Graffix of Rockford, IL has won as well. The local company is the official Chicago Nike home base and is keeping busy during a normally quiet time of year. Since the Chicago Cubs win in game seven of the World Series, Guerilla Graffix has been printing T-shirts for vendors such as Dick’s Sporting Goods, establishments in Wrigleyville, and other major retailers throughout the US.
Regional Good News
RHA Awarded Mobile Beacon Grant in National Competition
Mobile Beacon announced that it has chosen Rockford Housing Authority (RHA) in Illinois as one of two nation-wide recipients of its Wi-Fly Lending Launch Kit grant. “We are both honored and excited to build this relationship over our common beliefs that everyone deserves to be connected to the internet and the opportunities this affords,” Ron Clewer, CEO RHA.
Mid-West Family Broadcasting (Rockford) Wins Walker Cup Trophy
Mid-West Family Broadcasting in Rockford was recently named the winner of the prized “Walker Cup” for revenue growth during the prior 12 months. It is the highest award a Mid-West Broadcasting market can earn during the annual meeting.
READ MORE>>>
A Nation Engaged: A Rockford Developer Invests In The Middle
WNJI Northern Public Radio journalist Susan Stephens interviews First Midwest Group’s president Sunil Puri. This insightful interview looks into the warm welcome Mr. Puri experienced when he arrived in the Rockford Region.
Upcoming Events
IMA’s Annual Tax Conference – Nov 10, 8:30am – 12:30pm
The Illinois Manufacturing Association is hosting its annual Tax Conference featuring information about credits, incentives, nexus, ecommerce, exemptions, MPC and more.
Startup Weekend – Nov 11, 6:30 – 9pm
Startup Weekend is a 54-hour event designed to provide superior experiential education for technical and non-technical entrepreneurs. Participants create working startups during the event and are able to collaborate with like-minded individuals outside of their daily networks.
Cold Forming Training Center Opening – Nov 16, 9am – 2pm
Rock Valley College invites the public to the opening of the Cold Forming Training Center at 424 Buckbee St, Rockford, on Wednesday, November 16 from 9am – 2pm with a special program beginning at 9am.
The Digital Workplace Revolution – Nov 17, 8 – 10:30
Tom Samuel, COO of Comply365 presents an overview of The Digital Workplace Revolution. This one-hour presentation will be followed by two facilitated innovation focus groups comprised of manufacturing and service providers.
RSVP to spritz@eigerlab.org or call 815.753.2192
AAR Corp. Job Fair – Nov 14, 12 – 7pm & Nov 15, 7am – 2pm
Find great aviation jobs with excellent benefits at AAR. AAR Aircraft Services, the largest independent MRO provider in North America, has immediate job openings and is conducting interviews with qualified candidates.
1 Million Cups – Wednesdays, 9 – 11am
Entrepreneurs present their startup companies and learn how the community can help their business flourish. These meetings are held on a weekly basis.
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 24 project wins in 2015 was 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 2016 for an even stronger, more sustainable economy. Together, we will Trailblaze, Inspire Action, Align, Seed and Serve!
Michael Nicholas, President
MNicholas@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
