Energy Incentives and Programs

DCEO is offering up to $13 a lamp incentive for retrofit T8s and new T8 and T5 fixtures between June 1, 2011 and May 15, 2012.  ComEd Smart Ideas is offering an additional $2 per lamp bonus incentive for T12-to-T8 retrofits between September 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012.  Ameren Illinois ActOnEnergy The 10% T12 phase-out bonus extended to May 31, 2012.  Complete by March 31, 2012 and get a 10% early completion coupon. NICOR Announces New Program

Nicor Gas has launched a new program to help redevelop and revitalize communities through building upgrades. The Nicor Gas EEP Economic Redevelopment Program focuses on serving communities that are in need of economic redevelopment, as well as businesses and organizations that create jobs, offer social services or provide affordable housing. The program offers financial incentives and extensive technical assistance, helping building owners with every step of the process from evaluating energy efficiency needs to applying for rebates and finding qualified contractors.  Projects that complete the recommended energy efficiency upgrades can qualify to receive up to $100,000 in rebates.  The program also offers extensive technical assistance (valued at up to $20,000) to help building owners through every step of the process. WHO IS ELIGIBLE?  Commercial, industrial and large multi-family buildings served by Nicor Gas.  Public-sector buildings are not eligible. Projects located in, or promote economic development in, Enterprise Zones, TIF districts, or other economically challenged areas Other projects that could qualify are those that create jobs, offer social services, rehabilitate brown fields or vacant buildings, or provide affordable housing.  Qualifying facilities should be at least 10,000 square feet. To apply for this program or for more information, please contact the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Economic Redevelopment Team at 773.328.7040 or erp@cntenergy.org or visit http://nicorgasrebates.com/programs/economic

The Fight for Dwight

Here are a few links of press reports for the community rally held Monday March 5 to kickoff the fight to save Dwight Correctional Center.  The GLCEDC is working with Mayor Wilkey and Administrator Kevin McNamara to measure the economic impact the closing would have on the local economy and communicate the impact to the community, the State Legislature, and the Governor.

Strategy emerging to keep Dwight prison open Bloomington Pantagraph

Supporters rally for Dwight prison MyWebTimes.com

Report: Closing Dwight Correctional Center could cost area $45M Bloomington Pantagraph

Illinois is Top Ten in Corporate Locations/Expansions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2012


Governor Quinn Announces Illinois Among Top 10 States for Corporate Locations in National Survey
Illinois Gains Over Last Year’s Ranking

CHICAGO – March 1, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced that the state of Illinois and Chicago have been named among the top 10 locations for new and expanded corporate facilities. Illinois ranked seventh among states, an improvement over last year’s eighth place ranking, and Chicago second in the metropolitan areas category in the annual analysis by Site Selection magazine, one of the nation’s premier corporate real estate and economic development publications. “We are committed to creating jobs and working hard to make Illinois an even more attractive place to do business not only in the Midwest, but globally,” Governor Quinn said. “We have an aggressive long-term strategy for bringing quality jobs to Illinois, which includes innovation, exports and foreign investment, business-friendly legislation, and addressing infrastructure needs. We will continue to do everything we can to further our economic growth and create jobs in Illinois.” In 2011, Illinois had 216 corporate facilities locate or expand in the state. Illinois joins Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia on the list of the top ten states with the most locations and expansions. With 167 projects, the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet metro area ranked second on the list of cities in the tier one, top ten metropolitan areas list. Illinois companies that have relocated or seen significant expansions this year include Ford, Motorola Mobility, Continental, FedEx, Chrysler and Mitsubishi, among others. “We are pleased that Illinois has again been named to Site Selection’s top 10 list for new and expanded corporate facilities,” said Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Director Warren Ribley. “Illinois is one of the top business destinations in the nation for good reason, and we will continue to direct our efforts toward attracting and keeping investment in the state, creating jobs for the future and strengthening our economy.” The Governor’s Cup analyses, issued by Site Selection magazine, are regarded by corporate real estate analysts as “the industry scoreboard.” Site Selection is the senior publication in the corporate real estate and economic development field and the official publication of the Industrial Asset Management Council (IAMC, at www.iamc.org). The magazine’s circulation base consists of 44,000 executives involved in corporate site selection decisions, most at the CEO/President/COO level.

Most Successful Franchises to Own

Been thinking about starting your own business by buying a franchise?  Here is a link to a Forbes Magazine article listing the most successful franchises in the US.  Many on the list are familiar names, like McDonald's and Panera Bakery.  Others can be started for under $75,000.  Franchises are a great way to own your own business because they come with sales and marketing support, as well as a thoroughly developed business model.

GLCEDC Joins the Midwest Food Processors Association

In order to gain the invaluable contacts to ultimately lead to bringing a food processing plant to Livingston County, the GLCEDC joined the Midwest Food Processors Association (MWFPA).  The GLCEDC will use this trade group to attend conferences and build connections.  A food processing plant in the Livingston area will provide necessary jobs to residents as well as diversifying employers and industries within the county. 

Save Dwight Correctional Center

As you all have probably heard, the Dwight Correctional Center is being proposed to be closed as part of the Governor's 2013 Budget.  In response, a meeting was held today in which many elected officials, civic leaders, and AFSCME officials. In the meeting, we discussed a plan of action, created an email distribution list, and formed a smaller committee that will be assigned specific tasks to perform in creating the action plan.

The GLCEDC will be responsible for measuring the financial impact of the closure on the regional and local economy, as well as on our local businesses.  We have already performed a cursory impact analysis and the loss of the 350 jobs translates into a $25 million annual impact on the three county region (Grundy, Livingston & Kankakee).  We will refine this number and measure the spillover, or ripple, effects as we get more specific residency information for the prison employees.

A community meeting has been scheduled for Monday March 5 at 6:00 p.m. at Dwight Township High School.

I just wanted you to know that a plan of action is being put together and that the GLCEDC will be wholeheartedly supporting the effort to keep the facility open by providing facts and data regarding the economic impact of the closure.  I am also reaching out to my economic development colleagues in Grundy and Kankakee Counties.  Both have offered their support for this cause.

I will do my best to keep you posted along the way.  A Facebook page called, "Save Dwight Correctional Center" has been created.  Much of the information regarding our efforts will be posted there.  Our blog will also be updated regularly with the latest information.  Petitions are also being circulated throughout the County.

Executive Committee Elects Officers

A new Chairman and Vice-Chairman were elected at the February 16 Executive Committee meeting. Mr. Dave Ochs, President/CEO of OSF St. James Medical Center, was elected to the position of Chairman and Mr. Terry Sullivan, Managing Broker of Lyons-Sullivan Realty, was elected as Vice-Chair. Kevin McNamara, Village Administrator of Dwight, remains Secretary/Treasurer. The officers will hold their positions until January 2013, when their terms expire and new Executive Committee members will be elected by the Board of Directors.

Other Executive Committee members now include: John Ward, Caterpillar, Inc., Mayor Bob Bradford, Village of Saunemin, Roger Corrigan, 1st Financial Bank, Scott Bauknecht, State Bank of Graymont, Mike McCoy, McCoy Construction, Glen Ludwig, Creative Ag Solutions, Mike Cohlman, Champion Fitness, Mayor Jim Gulliford, Village of Forrest, and Chairman Bill Fairfield, Livingston County Board.

The Officers and the Executive Committee look forward to leading the GLCEDC in 2012 in order to bring economic development opportunities to Livingston County and assist local businesses grow and expand their operations.