Business Assistance, Retention & Expansion

BizBAM - You should be seeing a lot of information about BizBAM (our business retention program) as we ratchet up our public awareness with television spots on WHOI, WJBC public service announcements and Pantagraph online ads.

The EDC is calling on business owners to spend a little time telling us about their businesses. We would like to visit and spend some time listening and learning about issues. We want to know what their challenges are and see if there are any programs or incentives that might be able to help them grow and be more prosperous.

We can’t help you if you don’t open the door for us, so we respectfully ask that you allow us to assist you. Even if you don’t have a specific expansion project, the EDC wants to hear your opinion. What you think of the business climate? What improvements to the community would help you attract world-class talent? All these thoughts and your specific needs are things we at the EDC want to hear about.

Please help us spread the word that when someone calls from the EDC talking about BizBAM, give them some time. Who knows what will happen?

For more information about BizBAM, contact Chad Carson at
(309) 452-8437.

Circles of Seven - Our inaugural C7 participants will celebrate the close of the first year of the program in a graduation event to be held June 11th. We are currently in preparation for the next round of C7, and we are considering a C7 graduate program to take our C7 graduates to the next level.

We will also be starting a C7 group designed specifically for businesses located in Uptown Normal and Downtown Bloomington. For more information, contact Chad Carson or Brooke Weishaupt at
(309) 452-8437.

New Business Recruitment & Development

CoreNet Global in San Diego - The EDC participated in a joint marketing effort with other communities and utility companies  in Illinois. These communities included Ameren Services; ComEd, EDC for Central Illinois (Peoria region); EDC of Decatur and Macon County; Springfield, Illinois Route 34 Logistics Corridor; River Bend Growth Association; Rockford and the Metro East area of St. Louis RCGA. These organizations pooled their resources for a brochure and a booth at the CoreNet show. The cooperation was made possible through the marketing committee of the Illinois Development Council. The Illinois Development Council is the professional economic development association made up of economic development professionals throughout the state of Illinois.

The CoreNet Global organization holds “Global Summits” twice a year which are major opportunities for the EDC to promote our location to a wide variety of real estate consultants, corporate real estate representatives, brokers and developers. CEO Marty Vanags attended this event. In addition, Marty also participates in the membership committee and economic development committee of the Chicago Chapter.

Community Improvement

The first West Bloomington Community Summit was held May 8th and was a great success with over 200 neighborhood residents, business owners, landlords and non-profit representatives participating. Click here to read the Pantagraph article.

The next community summit, focusing on strategies and action projects, will be held Thursday, July 17th at 6:30 p.m. at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, 801 W. Market St., Bloomington. All residents, business owners and anyone with an interest in West Bloomington revitalization are encouraged to attend and participate. For more information or to RSVP for the summit, contact Michelle Spicer at the EDC at (309) 452-8437 or michelle@bnbiz.org.

Click here for more information on the West Bloomington revitalization project.

Program Oversight & Investor Relations

The Economic Development Council has a series of events over the year that provide opportunities for investors to network and get to know each other a little better. As recently as May 17th, the EDC hosted investors and friends at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum for the very exciting Xtreme game.  Events coming up include the ever-popular CommUniversity Day at ISU’s first home football game of the year on September 20th, another Investors Roundtable event (date TBD) and our annual meeting (date TBD). Keep an eye on this newsletter and future communications from our office regarding these events. We would love to have our investors and potential investors attend and provide us with their valuable input.

Government Relations Services

In order to serve as a coordinator of projects and initiatives that improve and move the goals of the greater community forward, it is essential that the Economic Development Council maintain relationships with all units of government. The EDC, through its relationships with local, state and federal governments, is working to assist existing and new businesses with obtaining government services, developing specialized legislation and promoting grants and other legislation that will benefit businesses. 

In addition to working with state and federal legislators, the EDC developed a rural outreach program to learn the needs and key issues concerning our surrounding communities and determine how we may be of assistance.

As a service to the local community, the EDC helps businesses and individuals get in touch with the appropriate government contacts to assist them with their needs. If you are seeking government relations services, contact Marty Vanags at (309)452-8437 or mvanags@bnbiz.org.

MCIC is a 640-acre, master-planned, mixed-use development located in Chenoa, Illinois. Positioned at the intersection of I-55 and US Route 24 and with several rail-served sites, MCIC would be a great location for a new manufacturing facility. The entire development is covered by a TIF district until 2030. Prices are available on a quoted basis from the broker.

Available sites:

• I-3 General Industrial 390 Acres
• I-4 Commercial/Industrial 34 Acres
• H-I Highway Commercial 42 Acres
• R-2 Residential up to 4 Units per Acre 139 Acres
• RS-3 Residential up to 10 Units per Acre 35 Acres

Learn more about our building and sites locator.

Who's Your City? by Richard Florida
Reviewed by Marty Vanags

In the year 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail for the new world. He convinced the Queen of Portugal to finance his trip so he could discover a new passage to the riches of the Far East. As we all know now, he was way ahead of his time in many ways. Of course, we were all taught that he was “thinking out of the box” when he said that the world is round and not flat like many believed at the time. And, while he did not actually find his great passage to the east, he did prove to some degree that there was a world yet to be explored.

Fast forward about 500 years, when author Thomas Freidman reversed the idea of a round world with his book, The World is Flat. In his book, Freidman spends 608 pages describing how through technology and interconnection the world as we Americans once knew it has changed. Because much of what is being produced in the information age can be transported through communication networks that are becoming cheaper and cheaper, many parts of the world we once thought to be “underdeveloped”  are beginning to provide a cheap source of labor as economic controls and open markets become ubiquitous. Whether we celebrate this phenomena as an obvious outcome of the Cold War (open markets and economic freedom for all, even those once considered Third World), or we lament the loss of jobs here at home, Freidman tells us we need to recognize and adjust to this new world and become accustomed to the United States’ new position in a global economy.  People can live anywhere, Freidman says, and their quality of life will increase.  People can live anywhere, but will they? Click here to read more...

EDC participates in community clean-up week

Bloomington-Normal community clean-up week was held April 21-25. Through the coordination of EDC staff member and AmeriCorps volunteer, Ken Springer, the EDC took part in the effort by picking up trash around the Bloomington Center for Performing Arts.

We want YOU to join us next year!

Corn Belt Energy
by Chad Carson

Corn Belt Energy was formed in 1938 when the McLean County Farm Bureau board of directors approved a Rural Electrification Administration (REA) project to bring electricity to the farmers of the Bloomington-Normal area. Following numerous meetings to develop the cooperative structure, secure funding, acquire right-of-way, hire staff and build 1,146 miles of distribution line, “Corn Belt Electric Cooperative” employees strung the first wire in 1939.

Since its inception, Corn Belt has grown to provide energy products to more than 32,000 members throughout 18 Central Illinois counties, using over 5,000 miles of line and employing nearly 100 people. The cooperative is governed by 15 directors who are residential members of Corn Belt Energy.

Corn Belt Energy currently offers electricity, natural gas and surge protection services to members in Central and Northern Illinois. The membership base has changed dramatically from primarily farmers to an ever-increasing number of urban, suburban and commercial accounts. The cooperative retains its rural farm heritage, but serves many of the new residential subdivisions and commercial areas in Bloomington-Normal, as well as in other communities.

A major event in the cooperative’s history occurred Jan. 1, 1999 when Corn Belt Electric Cooperative (serving 10 counties) merged with Illinois Valley Electric Cooperative of Princeton (serving eight counties). The merger created a new organization known as Corn Belt Energy Corporation.

As the cooperative has grown, it has become an integral part of the Bloomington-Normal business community. Corn Belt Energy has long-time involvement in the EDC. They also contribute passionately to educational endeavors in the region through education grants, the Touchstone "Get Charged" Web site and the "Youth to Washington" program that provides students an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C.

Learn more about Corn Belt Energy.

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.

Illinois State University announces intent to take space in One Main Development’s Uptown project

One Main Development, LLC, announced May 19th that Illinois State University plans to lease over 20,000 total square feet throughout Uptown One, Two and Three, located around the future circular intersection in Uptown. The mixed-use buildings are being developed by One Main Development, a Champaign-based company whose focus is on transformative and sustainable development in core urban areas. Construction is already underway on Uptown One.

“As a community partner and an integral part of Uptown Normal, adding a physical presence in the heart of the renewal effort will further strengthen our already outstanding relationship with the Town,” said Illinois State President Al Bowman. “Uptown Normal’s renewal plan shares many of the same characteristics as the University’s Master Plan, including commitments to quality and excellence, citizen-friendly development and sustainability. This move will also allow the University to more effectively use valuable existing campus space.”

The decision to lease space in Uptown displays Illinois State’s commitment to the Town of Normal and their comprehensive Uptown Renewal Plan. Addressing the needs of the community, the Town of Normal has an aggressive growth model aimed at improving the urban core, or Uptown area, and making the area a destination for people all over East Central Illinois.

“We couldn’t be more excited to see Illinois State join our Uptown Community by leasing space in Uptown One, Two and Three,” says Mark Peterson, City Manager for the Town of Normal. “Already, we’re seeing the business district transforming into a true community amenity and regional destination, and the University’s involvement will add so much to the excitement.”

Strong community assets are critical not just to the growth of Normal, Illinois, but to the underlying strategic vision of the University to continue to be the premier public educational institution in Illinois. A strong Uptown area will boost Illinois State’s highly successful efforts to recruit and retain talented faculty, staff and students. Having a University presence in Uptown displays the institution’s commitment to the community and the continued growth and development of the area.

“Conversely, the presence of the intellectual and cultural influences of Illinois State University provide the creative energy needed to catalyze a true urban district,” says Mike Royse, President of One Main Development.

Building community assets takes a strong collaborative effort between public and private entities. The partnership between Illinois State, the Town of Normal and One Main Development creates an energy that impacts the economic growth as well as the social and cultural fabric of the area.

“The partnership we have with the Town of Normal and Illinois State University is a unique and valuable one,” says Mike Royse. “We share the same vision for Uptown; to make it a wonderful place to live, work, play and learn. We share aggressive goals for achieving sustainability, for giving back to the community and for really putting Normal on the map as a destination.”

About Uptown One, Two and Three
The $75 million development consists of three mixed-use buildings, totaling over 390,000 square feet—90,000 of retail, 203,600 of office/commercial space, and 95 residential condominiums. The retail will consist of a mix of unique specialty shops, restaurants and service uses. The project is located within walking distance to the University.

Bradley University hosting MIT Enterprise Forum

Is it really possible to turn $100,000 in government funding into $150,000,000 in private investment funding? In a venture's early stages, funding is crucial to accelerate from "great idea" to "great product."  Hear from three entrepreneurs who used US government SBIR grants as the building blocks to success and learn what government agencies, like the NSF, DoD and NIH, look for when awarding Small Business Innovation Research grants. Entrepreneurial success stories and tips for winning grants at the next Enterprise Forum Global Broadcast!

Innovation to Commercialization - Using Government Funding to Kick-Start Your Start-Up: Wed., June 4th at the Peoria NEXT Innovation Center

• Registration/Networking - 5:00 to 5:45 p.m.
• Broadcast - 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
• Networking - 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

There is no cost for this broadcast forum, but you must register by 5:00 p.m., Monday, June 2, 2008. For more information and to register, go to http://www.bradley.edu/turnercenter/events/mit.html.

Meet the Angels: Perspectives from Beyond Chicago

This event, sponsored by the DePaul University Coleman Entrepreneurship Center, features a panel and roundtable discussions where start-up and early-stage firms have the unique opportunity to network with angel investors from various parts of the country and hear stories of their past deals. They will discuss the criteria that were used to make some of their investments and factors that contributed to the success and/or failure of their deals.

Event Info
8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
June 12, 2008
Union League Club
65 West Jackson Boulevard
Crystal Room

Panelists
Lauren Flanagan, Phenomenelle Angels
Aziz Virani
Rick Galdi, Great Lakes Angels

Cost
$60 Registration Fee by 6/9; $75 thereafter.
To register, click here.