Regional Development News from ECIDC
ECIDC unifies the community leadership, resources, and organizations concerned with economic development to promote an 11-county region in east central Illinois. This newsletter provides highlights of our regional projects and two upcoming events, a community and nonprofit leader symposium and our annual banquet and recognition awards ceremony. Both are open to the public. We invite you to join us for professional development opportunities and to network with leaders from throughout east central Illinois.
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Join Us for a Community and Nonprofit Leader Symposium
ECIDC and goodWORKSconnect.org are partnering to host this event on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Education Center of Sarah Bush Lincoln, Mattoon. Designed to bring together community, business, education and nonprofit leaders, the symposium will focus on entrepreneurial thinking and support services in the region. Attend to learn how to encourage a culture of creative thinking and "dreaming with discipline" in your business or organization.
The event will include afternoon breakout sessions with topics on youth entrepreneurship, creative funding models, advocacy and what nonprofits can and can't do in an election year, and quality or process refinement for businesses and organizations. Attendees will choose two of these four sessions. Area success stories of transformative models used by businesses and organizations will be shared. At 5:30 p.m. refreshments will be served and attendees will be able to visit informational booths. The evening will conclude with a keynote presentation by Tim Miles from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. As a consultant that helps owner-operated companies and organizations do more with less, Tim provides an entertaining-but-purposeful session on "Managing Change from the Inside Out". Attend to learn how to get the people inside your organization typically most resistant to new ideas to actually become your greatest allies in implementing them. Tim provides insights into the events that drive change and how we can assess our own capacities, develop our skills and manage change in the most effective way possible. You may attend the full session or just the keynote speaker session.
Admission is free for members of either ECIDC or goodWORKSconnect.org, otherwise $15. Deadline to register is March 25, 2012. Click here to register online or contact ECIDC Executive Director Jean Anne Grunloh at (217) 540-3517 or jgrunloh@lakeland.cc.il.us.
Thank you to our additional event sponsors: Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation, Midland States Bank, Business Solutions Center at Eastern Illinois University, and Association for Illinois Electric Cooperatives.
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Tourism Training for Community Leaders Set for February 28, February 29, & March 1
The Land of Lincoln Tourism Development Office will show how the information for your communities' attractions, restaurants, accommodations, events and outdoor recreation are entered into the state tourism website, www.enjoyillinois.com. They will also explain the importance of creative descriptions when submitting your listings. The session will also highlight other opportunities for free listings through the regional website, www.visitcentralillinois.com and provide updates on the iMap marketing initiative. Please click the "Read More" button below for additional information.
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Save the Date for ECIDC Annual Banquet & Recognition Awards Ceremony
Please plan to join us on Thursday, May 17, 2012 at the Thelma Keller Convention Center of Effingham. The evening will include a cocktail hour beginning at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m., then followed by the recognition awards ceremony to honor some of our area's most dedicated and successful leaders. Our keynote address will be given by Jeff Fleming, an attorney, CPA, humorist and nationally known speaker. Jeff has presented motivational keynotes for companies such as Anheuser-Busch, GE, and Eli Lilly. Jeff delivers a powerful and entertaining message on the importance of laughter in your career, life, and in relieving stress. Enjoy his presentation, and don't be afraid to laugh out loud! The public is welcome to attend. Cost is $35 per person. Reservations are required and may be made online at www.ecidc.com or by contacting ECIDC Executive Director Jean Anne Grunloh at (217) 540-3517 or jgrunloh@lakeland.cc.il.us.
The evening will also include a silent auction and a raffle of a vacation for two to Las Vegas (travel gift certificate valued at $1300). Thank you to our raffle sponsors West & Company, The First National Bank of Dieterich, and Effingham Travel Agency! Raffle tickets are $20 each or three for $50. To purchases raffle tickets, please download the vacation raffle form at www.ecidc.com and mail your payment along with completed tickets to ECIDC, 1204 Network Centre, Effingham.
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Nominate a Deserving Individual or Organization for One of Three Recognition Awards
The 2012 Recognition Awards Entry Packet is now available. These awards are sponsored by ECIDC along with Lake Land College and Eastern Illinois University. Please consider submitting a nomination on behalf of a deserving individual or organization who meets the criteria as defined in the attachment for one of three possible awards:
- Business Ethics and Social Involvement Award
- Outstanding Leadership in Community and Economic Development Award
- Lifetime Achievement Award
Nominations must be postmarked or submitted electronically by March 5, 2012. The link to submit an online nomination may be found on ECIDC’s homepage at www.ecidc.com.
These awards will be presented at the ECIDC Annual Meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 17, 2012 at the Thelma Keller Convention Center, Effingham beginning at 5:30 p.m.
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Rural Community Economic Development Conference
The 23rd Annual Rural Community Economic Development Conference hosted by the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs is set for March 7-8, 2012 in Peoria. It will feature speakers from across the country who will share their expertise on issues and strategies related to rural community economic development. Attendees will learn about practical solutions to issues facing rural areas today. The conference also provides important networking opportunities with colleagues and representatives of the state and federal agencies that serve rural communities. Register at https://www.regonline.com/IIRAconference2012.
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Downstate Voice Initiative Continues
Last year ECIDC spearheaded a state-wide effort to bring together downstate leaders to create a common voice on economic development issues. An inaugural Downstate Summit was held September 29, 2011, in partnership with organizations throughout the state. With positive feedback from the Summit's 200 attendees, ECIDC will once again plan to host a fall, 2012 Downstate Summit. ECIDC is working with a steering committee comprised of representatives from Rural Partners, Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs, the Governor's Rural Affairs Council, Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives, SIU School of Medicine, and many other development leaders to coordinate the second event. Look for more details to come in the following months at DownstateVoice.org!
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Free Resource for 2010 Census Information
The web site www.census.gov/sdc provides a free resource for easily locating 2010 census information. In addition to demographic data, you may obtain updated maps for census tracts and blocks. These are under the "geographic programs” option and then select “2010 Census Geographic Products”.
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Lake Land College to Host Energy Innovation Conference
The 5th annual energy innovation conference, Sustainability - The Future is Now, is set for Wednesday, March 7, 2012. Keynote speaker will be Doug Rye, a nationally recognized energy consultant helping people from New York to L.A. lower their utility bills by as much as 50%. He is commonly referred to as the "King of Caulk and Talk" and the "Roy Rogers of Energy" because he's an expert in the home energy conservation field. For more information visit www.energyconf.org/
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Wind Turbine at Lake Land College
(Source: Laker Low Down eNewsletter published January 26, 2012)
Despite the bad weather, the first of the college’s two 100 kW wind turbines has been installed. This project is made possible by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding via the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and a Community-Based Job Training Grant from the U. S. Department of Labor.
The new turbines will offer students advanced training for large-scale turbine maintenance and energy production. They will also power buildings on campus with alternative energy, further reducing the cost of utilities for Lake Land College. Because Lake Land College officials and experts worked with the manufacturer to create customized turbines, it is projected that there will be a significant return on this investment of Class Two wind speeds, making these turbines a very affordable option for the college. Please click the "Read More" button below for additional information.
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Broadband (High-Speed Internet) Regional eTeam Coordinator
Barbara Webster, Broadband Illinois Southeast Central Regional eTeam Coordinator, has been meeting with community leaders throughout the region to inform them of broadband access options and broadband utilization training. The Broadband Illinois Southeast Central Region includes 14 counties detailed at http://broadbandillinois.org/Get-it/East-Central-Regional-eTeam.html. If your community has broadband needs or wishes to partner in training, please contact Ms. Webster at barbara.webster@broadbandillinois.org.
(Picture: Ms. Webster presents to community leaders of Edgar County on February 8, 2012.)
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Update on Illinois Century Network - Fiber Build Project in East Central Illinois
The January edition of the Illinois Century Network - Illinois Broadband Opportunity Partnership East Central (IBOP-EC) update has been posted to the ICN Website. This monthly publication provides information on the IBOP- EC broadband project, events and other key data. Click the following link for the latest updates on this fiber build project: http://www.illinois.net/IBOP/IBOP_EastCentral/Newsletters/IBOP_Update_2012.01.30.pdf
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ECIDC Feature Member: Imagine This! Marketing Group
Imagine This! Marketing Group, formerly InformPro, has been serving the region for more than 20 years and is a proud supporter of economic development throughout the region. Imagine This! Marketing Group’s team of professionals recognizes the change in marketing strategies, as businesses look for new ways to brand their companies through social media, the internet, e-mail marketing and more. That is why Imagine This! provides a variety of services that are customized to meet clients’ needs, whether through traditional marketing strategies, new media or a combination of both. Please click the "Read More" button below for more information on Imagine This! Marketing Group.
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Share Your Development News
If you wish to share your development news or success stories with almost 1,000 community, business, and education leaders in east central Illinois through the ECIDC e-newsletter, please forward your information to the ECIDC office via e-mail at jgrunloh@lakeland.cc.il.us
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