Dear Santa:

I am writing on behalf of the Economic Development Council of the Bloomington-Normal Area. I know, Santa, you are probably asking, “What is the Economic Devel”—well, Santa, stop right there. Many people ask that question, but truthfully, a lot fewer people than in the past, Santa, because we have made significant strides in letting people know who we are, what we do and why it is so important to support the EDC. So Santa, first let me tell you that we have been very good this year. Very, very good.

We helped businesses in the community create and retain 913 jobs and generate over $111 million in capital investment. We started the process to create a community development corporation and a business incubator and launched a business mentoring program called C7. We also launched a business retention program we call BizBAM! One Voice, our political advocacy program, went to Washington, D.C. and helped secure federal funding for very important projects in McLean County. Our community outreach program has resulted in new initiatives for our outlying communities. And, Santa, don’t forget our new Economic Development Almanac, Demographic Profile and Web site. As you can see, Santa, we have tried very hard to make a difference in McLean County, and I think it shows.

Having said all that dear Santa, I hate to sound greedy, but frankly, we would like more. I know it sounds like we are asking for too much, but truthfully, isn’t that your job, to fulfill the wishes of all good boys and girls, er, EDC’s throughout the world? And Santa, I think we are the best, so here is our wish list for Christmas this year:

• A business incubator – Hey Santa, you know all those really cool electronic gadgets that you leave under the tree for people all over the world? Well, those products and companies had to start somewhere. We are convinced we can capture more of those companies if we have a place for them to start their businesses. Santa, I know that they “offshore” some of the work to build these gadgets for your elves, but if we could at least start the process here we could add additional wealth and prosperity to our community.

• A Community Development Corporation (CDC) – I’m sorry, Santa, I know that we have a lot of initials and acronyms for our programs but it’s a lot easier to say and brand, and I know you know about branding. The CDC is going to provide a whole bunch of money for people and businesses that want to expand and grow. This means more jobs, more capital investment and a growing economy. Santa, if you could make sure we get that federal grant making us a Certified Development Finance Institution (CDFI) and a New Market Tax Credit Allocation (NMTC) of around  $75 million, that would be great!

• How about 1,000 new jobs paying at least $50,000 a year and another $100 million in new capital investment? Santa, there would be a lot of people who would appreciate this, not just the EDC.

• Federal funding for the Normal Multi-Modal Transportation Center, the Bloomington Cultural District and the Lexington Sewer project (we already covered the incubator).

• Smarter and brighter students for Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College and Lincoln College-Normal, with parents that can easily foot the tuition bill.

• More funding (other than tuition) for these institutions of higher learning (other than tuition – Santa, what I’m talking about is state funding, which has dropped off the table for years now, and really huge endowments).

• Increased sales tax revenue for all our communities.

• More locally-owned restaurants and places to gather like the new ones that have recently opened or will open—Destihl, Medici, Paisano’s—and continued success for our well-established places like Central Station, Reality Bites, Rosie’s, Biaggi’s and, of course, Maggie Miley’s.

• Santa, can you get Led Zeppelin to tour again, and better yet, have them open their North American tour at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum? That would be super!

• A master’s degree for Ken (EDC research manager) who is almost done.

• A girlfriend for our business retention manager, Chad (who desperately needs one). He’s driving us all nuts!

• New Manolo Blahnik’s for Christina (government and community relations manager). If you have to ask, then forget it. A Kate Spade purse would do.

• Dinner with Johnny Depp for Brooke (communications manager), followed by suite seats at the Coliseum for the Zeppelin concert (to be opened by Aerosmith).

• A “red phone” with a direct line to the EDC office for Board Chair Dick Eikenberg…you know, Santa, the kind that Batman used.

• A date with Jeff Gordon for our finance manager, Michelle (maybe to the Zeppelin Concert?)

• A “fly-anywhere” pass for Sonja Reece (immediate past chair) for all of her travels. Or maybe free use of your sleigh?

• A parking deck and the other half of his missing driveway for our vice-chair, Larry Maschhoff.

Well, Santa, that’s about it. Don’t forget about former board member and former publisher of the Pantagraph Linda Lindus and former board member George Farnsworth. We wish them well as they have served the EDC board with integrity and a high level of leadership. We will miss them.

Oh, Santa, I know you can deliver. We hope you help us this year. In 2008, we will be very good again. And, of course, we will have a list for you at that time. One more thing, Santa, and this from me personally, make sure that the Cubs win the World Series soon!

Sincerely,

and your friends at the EDC