McHenry County EDC - McHenry County, IL - Strategically Located in the Center of the Business Triangle Between Chicago, Milwaukee & Rockford

Economic Development is a team sport!

An update from MCEDC President Pam Cumpata,

Do you Dragon Boat Race? Well, last Saturday, I did on the Ashley River in Charleston, South Carolina. If you are unfamiliar with a Dragon Boat, let me give you a little perspective. The boat hold 20 rowers- 10 people on each side, a small seat in front of the boat for the drummer and then someone to steer standing on the back. The boat is long and narrow, stable if you are sitting correctly with your hip against the side wall. Shifting of weight from one side to the other can cause instability and into the water your team goes.  According to our team captain, the key to our success is synchronizing our strokes and listening to the drummer. Brute strength would not win the race. So, it was the first heat of the day. The skies are overcast and about 65 degrees with strong winds, but we were ready to go. We loaded the boat, paddled to the starting line, the horn blew and we were off! Well, while we had the best of intentions, in the heat of the race, my team lost all synchronization – even with our best rowing efforts, we finished last in our heat and 67 out of 70 teams. Did I mention, our time was worse than a team of 60 and 70 year old women and we had 6 men out of the 20 paddlers on our boat?  So the moral of this dragon boat story is that teamwork, trust, communication and a common vision (synchronization) is critical to success.

Here in McHenry County, there are a number of foundation building projects moving forward through the collaboration and synchronization of efforts by the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation, McHenry County College, McHenry County Worknet, McHenry County Government, our municipalities and private companies.

In 2010, the county, the McHenry County Council of Governments and MCEDC joined together to engage NIU to develop a countywide fiber network plan. This study interviewed both public and private entities to understand the needs of our county. Since that time, our group has grown to include MCC, specific municipalities, our education partners K-12, Centegra Health Systems and many others. As the Illinois Century Network brings fiber to MCC, our plan is to springboard off that fiber to build a solid network that connects other partners. The ‘common vision’ of our ‘team’ is driving this ‘fiber highway of the future’.

There has been a great many articles on the importance of a vibrant advanced manufacturing industry sector to our American economy. In February, the Federal government released a

“ Make It in America”. We met with our collaborative partners, MCC and the Worknet, to discuss the possibility of applying for this grant especially since we have almost 600 local manufacturers. Our decision was to expand our collaboration and partnerships and to build a team to include the 8 counties in Northern Illinois – the Rockford Area, their Workforce Board, Economic Development Professionals, Community Colleges and NIU. We have been meeting to complete the grant process and submit our application which would help fund manufacturing training. This is another example of how successful ‘dragon boat paddling’ – everyone working together with the same goal - can make this region stronger and more productive for our businesses, educational institutions and residents.

Our ‘team’ of collaborative partners – private companies, Workforce Board, Worknet, and MCC - are also working on the development of education and training programs in the areas of plastics and overall manufacturing. This is critical to the future of McHenry County for two reasons: 1) historically manufacturing comprises over 25% of the county’s economic wealth and 2) according to the County’s Labor Report 49% of the workforce in manufacturing is between 45 and 64 so to remain strong, we need to develop that future workforce.

Economic Development is a team sport. Having that common vision, rowing in the same direction, communicating and trusting our partners is critical to a continued strong McHenry County.

Go Global 2013 Wrap Up Report

Aptar Rings Bell at Stock Exchange

Congratulations to Aptar one of McHenry County’s finest manufacturers and a valued supporter of McHenry County EDC on celebrating 20 years as a publically traded company!

Business Luncheon meeting with William J. Daley on Wednesday, April 24th

A business luncheon meeting with William J.  Daley was held at MCEDC Investor 31 North Banquet & Conference Center on Wednesday, April 24^th.

Over 100 business leaders listened to his presentation on Leadership.  MCEDC Board of Directors Blake Hobson, Secretary, Jamie Maravich, Treasurer, Board of Director Brad Heldt, Transportation Committee Chairman Charles Eldredge  and many of our investor/members were on hand to share some of the concerns of the business community on the challenges facing business in Illinois.

Representative Jack Franks, District 63, introduced Bill Daley who was the former Chief of Staff for President Obama.  Prior to this he was Chairman of JP Morgan Chase Midwest for 8 years and President of SBC Communications for 3 years.

In public service Daley coordinated in 2000 the effort for permanent Normal Trade Relations with China and chaired Al Gore's Presidential campaign.  From 1997 to 2000 Daley served as US Secretary of Commerce under President Clinton overseeing a department of more than 40,000 people. As special counsel to President Clinton in 1993, Daley coordinated the successful campaign to pass the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Daley serves on the corporate Boards of Abbott Labs, Boeing Co, and Merck and Co.

This luncheon was a collaborative event with our local Chambers of Commerce, and part of the MCEDC Legislative Committee’s efforts to raise the visibility of McHenry County,

Photo captions:

31 North Sign – MCEDC Investor/member

31 North Banquet & Conference Center,  Owner, Bernice  Zubrzycki with Bill Daley and Representative Jack Franks

Blake Hobson, MCEDC Secretary & Bill Daley

State Representative Jack Franks, 63^rd District

Bill Daley

Images By Robin F. Pendergrast Photography, Inc.