Business Assistance, Retention & Expansion

BizBAM meetings focused specifically on the manufacturing industry yielded interesting findings and were recently shared with the board of directors. The findings represented companies employing nearly 3,000 persons and uncovered that the majority of manufacturers have a difficult time finding available workers, do not have formal in-house training programs and are continually investing in technology and equipment upgrades. These trends indicate a changing and possibly more advanced production method. The EDC has recommended a long-term goal of establishing a Manufacturing Industry Council to create a network to address business climate concerns and needs.

The council would be a gathering of representatives from industry, trade associations, organized labor, educational and financial institutions, workforce, economic development and the chamber of commerce. The long-term goals would address:

• Developing and pursuing a common agenda to maintain and increase the competitive advantages of Bloomington-Normal manufacturing

• Creation of an effective, interactive network among all stakeholders focused on the success of manufacturing

• Implementation and the advancement of the use of best practices throughout Bloomington-Normal related to common themes of image and innovation

If you know of a manufacturer that would like to have their opinions documented, or if you want to contribute to the movement of a Manufacturing Industry Council contact Chad Carson at chad@bnbiz.org or (309) 452-8437.

New Business Recruitment & Development

The EDC is working on several goals over the next year to help attract more companies to the area:

• First, we are working on the Warehouse Distribution Study. Our goal is to determine if the anecdotal and observational evidence that exists for the establishment of a warehouse distribution industry matches up with the hard evidence. Are we truly a good location for large warehouse and distribution operations, and do we have the infrastructure to support it?  Much of what we think is important we already have; for example, the Interstate road network and ease of access. But, the bigger question is whether or not this has importance when large companies are seeking strategic locations for their operations. The study will help us understand who we need to contact and market our advantages.

• We have stepped up our participation and sponsorship of CoreNet Global, the preeminent professional and corporate worldwide real estate group. We are members and sponsors of the Chicago chapter, and each month we attend chapter luncheons where we are able to network and promote the Bloomington-Normal area. As a sponsor of the Chicago chapter, we are given recognition on the Web site and at every luncheon. At the January luncheon attended by 160 real estate professionals, site location consultants and developers, Marty Vanags gave a short presentation about the Bloomington-Normal area. Marty also serves on the membership committee of the Chicago chapter.

• The EDC, as a member of the Central Illinois Development Partnership, is continuing its marketing to the Chicago real estate and development community. This year the goal is to create even more activity and acquire additional memberships. In the past few months, the Village of Danvers has joined the group along with the City of Pontiac, Woodford County and the Peoria area’s Central Illinois EDC. The CIDP will be hosting a membership awareness event on April 24th to gain even more membership throughout Central Illinois and promote attraction here.

Community Improvement

On March 11th-13th, the EDC will hold its 2nd annual “One Voice” Washington, D.C. Fly-in. The purpose of the fly-in is to show unity in advocating for federal funding for priority projects in the Bloomington-Normal area. In December, the EDC board of directors selected the One Voice priority projects for the FY 09 federal budget.  The projects include the Normal Multi-Modal Transportation Center, the Bloomington Cultural District-Regional Creativity Center for the Arts, the City of Lexington Wastewater Treatment System and the McLean County Business Incubator. Visit www.1community1voice.org for more information.

For more information relating to the One Voice Task Force, community outreach or government relations program, please contact Brooke Weishaupt at (309) 452-8437 or brooke@bnbiz.org.

Program Oversight & Investor Relations

The EDC will be hosting the next Investors Roundtable on February 28th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00p.m. in the Davidson Room of Illinois Wesleyan University’s Memorial Center. This semi-annual event is for investors at the top tier. Information about the EDC’s efforts in all of our priorities will be provided. Please contact Brooke Weishaupt for more information – brooke@bnbiz.org or (309) 452-8437.

The EDC is continuing to provide information to investors about how we are working to achieve greater economic goals for the Bloomington-Normal area. The EDC will be continuing this series of informative newsletters in 2008 with additional communication features and programs throughout the year:

• The new Demographic Profile in late March

• A revamped Web site with new features, enhanced graphics, video and podcasts

• New opportunities for economic impact analysis and data
  

Local Business Assistance

The business retention and expansion program, BizBAM, is a proactive economic development program created by the EDC to address local business concerns.

A BizBAM outreach specialist meets with local companies to discuss issues affecting their operations and creates a custom response to short-term growth obstacles. This input helps the EDC develop strategies for the long-term health of the Bloomington-Normal business environment.

BizBAM outrech specialists are a link to a virtual response team of local not-for-profit, municipal, county and state economic development service providers. You can schedule a BizBAM meeting by contacting Chad Carson at (309) 452-8437 or chad@bnbiz.org.

Learn more about BizBAM.

Bay available for manufacturing/warehouse use. Twelve docks, one drive-in door. 18’ eaves height with 27.5’ x 60’ column spacing.  Immediate tenancy available, asking $4.50/psf gross. Contact Doug Gerig (309) 664-3534.

Learn more about our building and sites locator.

Building and Educational Fund Referenda
by Citizens for Unit 5

We all know that Bloomington-Normal is a wonderful place to call home. We’re have a diversified and stable economic base that provides good job opportunities and one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state. Add to that the wonderful assortment of retail, restaurant, and cultural amenities and you have yourself an urban quality of life with a small town flair.

What we also know is that in order to maintain the quality of life we have come to know in Bloomington-Normal, an assortment of factors must be taken into consideration. One critical factor to any vibrant community is its school system. High-quality schools are critical to attracting new businesses and residents to communities. Good schools retain good employers and even better employees. Good schools mean good things for business in this growing community.

And, of course, growth in the community leads to a growing need in our schools.  For voters in McLean County Unit 5 schools, there are two referendum questions on the February 5 primary ballot. The first asks voters to approve $96.7 million in construction bonds for expansion and renovation of Sugar Creek Elementary School, construction of two new elementary schools, construction of one new middle school, renovations to eight existing elementary schools, as well as security and technology improvements to 15 elementary schools. Click here to read more...

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
by David Allen - Reviewed by Marty Vanags

Several months ago, after answering all my email, reading my favorite Web sites, responding to my voicemail and clearing off my desk, I sat staring at my computer screen wondering what to do next. I know I had at least a dozen projects and issues—maybe more—that needed my immediate attention, and if I peered behind me I could see several arranged file folder systems and file drawers with a plethora of information in them that would inform me of the tasks at hand. But, even with all that information, I wasn’t sure which project I should start next and which item needed my immediate attention. I’m sure there are others who share my dilemma occasionally, perhaps even daily.

I needed help, and one day not so long after my effectiveness mini-crisis, I came across an article in Business 2.0, a magazine published by the folks that bring you BusinessWeek magazine. An article about a book with a simple title by a business guru named David Allen caught my eye. Oh yes, I rode the Stephen Covey bandwagon in the early Nineties and prided myself on having read many of the business and personal productivity  tomes about peak performance, leadership, efficiency and other business topics over the years. I knew them all, but none of them really pointed to the crisis I was having that day several months ago, sitting at my desk wondering “what now?”

Prairie Signs
by Chad Carson

What is that off in the distance? It’s a bird, it’s a plane - oh wait, it’s just one of the many Prairie Signs dotting the landscape of Central Illinois. Visual advertising has been the company’s focus for over 20 years, including the manufacturing, installation and servicing of signage for a variety of businesses throughout the region. 

Earl Anderson, a long established entrepreneur in Bloomington-Normal, is leading the company’s success. Along with his staff, Anderson is continually researching new methods and materials to create high quality products that are the ultimate visual image booster to business. Anderson indicated that a sign is a business’s most cost-effective means of advertising, and the quality of his product goes a long way in sending the message that a business puts pride in its product or service. Prairie Signs works to keep a dialogue open with its customers to arrange graphics and services that present the image the customer wants. To further illustrate their cohesiveness with businesses, Peggy Flynn of Thrive Fitness in Downtown Bloomington said, "Prairie Signs approached my very challenging job with prompt professionalism. They worked with me at every juncture."

Prairie Signs has won over 60 state and national design contest awards and are active members in local, regional and national associations including theMcLean County Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Sign Association and United States Sign Council. Prairie Signs has an active and innovative owner and a track record of community participation, making this a business we are proud to have in our community. 

Ken Springer, Research Manager

Ken Springer, research manager for the EDC, performs a lot of the behind-the-scenes legwork for the EDC’s different programs. He maintains the EDC’s real estate databases and responds to site proposals from people interested in locating businesses in the community. Initially from Kalamazoo, Mich., Ken will graduate with his master’s degree in applied community and economic development from Illinois State University this July. His current plans are to continue working full-time with the EDC after he graduates. Ken can be found on weekends acting like a “pretentious beer snob,” playing in several bands and babying his pet scorpion, Virgil.

Uptown Toastmasters

Do you have trouble speaking in front of a room full of people? Would you like to find out how to better express your ideas? Are you interested in learning how to run meetings more effectively? Toastmasters can help you become a better speaker AND leader!

The EDC has started a Toastmasters International chapter, the "Uptown Toastmasters." At Toastmasters, members learn better communication skills by speaking to groups and working with others in a supportive environment. At each meeting, members give impromptu and prepared speeches and receive constructive evaluation from their peers.

Toastmasters helps employees give better sales presentations, improve their management skills, work better with other employees, effectively develop and present ideas, offer constructive criticism and accept criticism more objectively.

If you are interested in joining the group, please contact Brooke Weishaupt at (309) 452-8437 or brooke@bnbiz.org. Meetings are held the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Bank of Illinois Community Room, 200 W. College Ave., Normal. To learn more about Toastmasters, visit www.toastmasters.org.