Shahid Khan, University of Illinois grad and Urbana business owner (Flex-N-Gate) was recently featured on 60 Minutes.
The story details his life to the United States, his time as a college student at the University of Illinois, his business success, his recent purchase of the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL team, and his dedication to giving back to Champaign-Urbana.
To view the videos, visit the following link: Shahid Khan – 60 Minutes Interview.
Innovation Celebration provides recognition of those individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions, taken risks, and provided leadership to ensure the continuing economic success of Champaign County, the ongoing success of the University’s economic development mission, and the growth of entrepreneurial talent and energy in the community.
Innovation Celebration is not merely an award for accomplishment, however, but a benchmark of success for those outstanding individuals, organizations and corporations who are nominated and selected to receive this prestigious award. Additionally, Innovation Celebration serves as a tangible collaboration between the University of Illinois and the community that clearly establishes the power of cooperation and united vision.
Community Awards: Social Entrepreneurship, Student Startup, New Venture, Entrepreneur Advocacy, Economic Development Impact, Entrepreneurial Excellence in Management, and Entrepreneurial Excellence in Management.
University of Illinois Awards: Innovation Discovery & Innovation Transfer.
A full description of the awards as well as past winners can be found on our website at the link below.
To RSVP for the event or nominate someone for an award, please visit our website at the following link: http://
Time to mix it up with Tech Cocktail at Houlihans tonight Sept 6, 2012. The startup showcase will include Fitsby, Valkyrie Computer Systems, Smart Structures, StudyCloud and TrakBill. Thanks to our sponsors; Champaign County EDC, Singleton Law Firm, University of Illinois Research Park, ChicagoMicro, Technology Entrepreneur Center – Engineering at Illinois, Illinois Small Business Development Center and McDonnell, Boehnen, Hulbert & Berghoff LLP
Three companies headquartered in Champaign County, IL made the Inc. 5000 list for fastest revenue growth in 2011. EP Technology Company, maker of video surveillance equipment including digital video recorders and network video recorders, came in a No. 636 experiencing 569% revenue growth from 2008 to 2011. Midwest Underground Technology Inc., developer, constructor and maintenance provider of telecommunications towers and antenna, is No. 3,891 experiencing 50%+ revenue growth from 2008-2011. Prominic.NET, provider of secure managed hosting and flexible cloud environment for software, as well as other IT service, is No. 4,212 experienced 30%+ growth from 2008-2011. These companies are among six representing the broader east central Illinois area. Many of these represent current and future potential for job growth.
June 26, 2012; (Rantoul, IL) — Easton-Bell Sports, Inc. – a leading designer, developer and marketer of innovative sports equipment and accessories under the Easton, Bell, Riddell and Giro brands – today announced plans to build a modern new distribution, assembly and shared services center in Rantoul, Illinois. The new center would be home to the company’s current 300 team members and serve as one of the company’s primary North American sites for assembling, distributing and servicing products from its market-leading sports brand portfolio.
Easton-Bell Sports currently operates multiple manufacturing and distribution facilities in Rantoul. The new center would consolidate these facilities into a single, 800,000 square-foot structure with advanced technology and design capable of producing shorter lead times for customer orders, the highest quality order shipments, and long-term cost savings that can be re-invested in the business.
“Easton-Bell Sports has enjoyed a long and productive history in Champaign County with a loyal, dedicated workforce and highly supportive local community,” said Donna Flood, Chief Operations Officer and President of Giro / Easton Cycling. “Creating a more efficient, fully-modernized facility provides a number of important benefits for our business while strengthening our commitment to this area and our people.”
Easton-Bell Sports’ history in Champaign County dates back to 1983, when Bell Sports acquired a motorcycle accessories manufacturing facility in Rantoul. The company has expanded its local presence over the last three decades, shipping more than 13 million units annually and serving as one of the area’s largest employers.
Site selection for the proposed facility was made with support from the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, the Village of Rantoul and the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
“We have a well-trained workforce in the area and when state and local government work together with our economic development agencies, we see opportunities for successes like this,” said Illinois State Senator Mike Frerichs. “I want to thank Easton-Bell Sports for continuing to believe in northern Champaign County.”
John Dimit, President and CEO of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, added, “Easton-Bell Sports’ new center would have a significant year-over-year impact on our local community. This includes $53 million direct economic impact of wages in the East Central Illinois Region, $10 million indirect economic impact of secondary wage spending in the East Central Illinois Region and $11 million induced impact of tertiary wages spent in the East Central Illinois Region.”
The new center, which is subject to final approval of economic incentives by various governmental agencies, would handle products under the company’s Bell, Easton Cycling, Giro and Riddell brands. The planned site location is Rantoul’s Village Industrial Park (at the NW intersection of Highway 136 and Interstate 57), with scheduled completion in late 2013. A mix of internal/private and public investment is expected to fund the project. The specific cost is not being disclosed at this time.
About Easton-Bell Sports, Inc.
Easton-Bell Sports, Inc. is a leading designer, developer and marketer of branded sports equipment, protective products and related accessories. The company markets and licenses products under such well-known brands as Easton, Bell, Giro, Riddell and Blackburn. Its products incorporate leading technology and designs and are used by professional athletes and enthusiasts alike. Headquartered in Van Nuys, California, the company has 32 facilities worldwide. More information is available at www.eastonbellsports.com.
Champaign County, home to the University of Illinois, features world-class technological resources and superb location and transportation benefits that make it a strategic hub for technology and industrial development.
Founded in 1991, Taylor Studios, Inc. began as a mail-order business creating museum-quality artifacts, fossil reproductions, and exhibits for museums and other clients. Quickly recognized for the passion and expertise brought to each project, the company initially carved out a niche in the paleontology, archaeology, and natural history fields. Today, Taylor Studios is recognized as an industry leader in exhibit planning, design, fabrication, and installation, serving a diversity of clients throughout the country and internationally. Their 3D storytelling now reaches beyond natural history to cultural history, history walls, and immersive environments of all kinds. Read More »
Frasca International manufactures flight simulators for all aircraft types, fixed and rotary wing, used for pilot training for airlines, flight schools, colleges and universities, military, law enforcement, air evac and commercial organizations. Since its founding in 1958, over 3,000 Frasca simulators have been delivered worldwide. Read More »