Champaign CountyArchive for the ‘’ Category

2018 Innovation Celebration Finalists Announced

CHAMPAIGN, IL, February 23, 2018 – The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce finalists for the 13th Annual Innovation Celebration in 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 our community.

Innovation Celebration is not merely an award for accomplishment, 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 Champaign County EDC, University of Illinois, Parkland College, and the community.

The winner of each award category will be announced at Innovation Celebration 2018, held at Parkland College on Thursday, March 29, 2018 from 5:30 – 8:30 pm. To RSVP and learn more about the event, visit www.innovationcelebration.com.

Award Finalists

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Social Venture Award
Serve as change agents by creating and implementing sustainable solutions to reshape society, benefit humanity, and address social concerns.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Student Startup Award
Formed by students in the last three years and demonstrates a commitment to continuing success through entrepreneurial talent, creativity and energy.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: New Venture Award
Formed in the last three years, and demonstrates a commitment to continuing success through entrepreneurial talent, creativity and energy.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Advocacy Award
Actively engage, encourage, coach and mentor entrepreneurs in the community, and provide extensive support to help them achieve success.

  • Ken Taylor
  • Stephanie Larson
  • Kathie Cravens

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Management Award
Demonstrates expertise in assembling resources, creating an organization, and working to build and implement effective action plans.

Innovation: Economic Development Impact Award
Has made a significant economic development impact in the community and continues to demonstrate their commitment to Champaign County.

2018 Innovation Transfer Award—University of Illinois
Recognizes an individual or group from the University of Illinois whose research has resulted in either a discovery or a work with the potential for significant societal impact.

 2018 Alexis Wernsing Innovation Award—University of Illinois
Recognizes an individual or team from the University of Illinois that has channeled their experience living with a disability into positive change through the creation of new products, environments, or protocols that enhance quality of life.

2018 Innovation in Engagement Award—Parkland College
Recognizes an individual or group at Parkland College who has shown support of the college’s community engagement mission.

The EDC is pleased to work with the following sponsors of our 13th Annual Innovation Celebration: the University of Illinois’ Technology Entrepreneur Center, Research Park, Office of Corporate Relations, and Office of Technology Management, along with Parkland College, Lodgic, Carle, Serra Ventures, Surface 51, Singleton Law Firm, City of Champaign, Ramshaw Real Estate, Litania Sports Group, Pixo, Hatch Ag Group, IllinoisVENTURES, Huawei R&D USA, Aqueous Solutions LLC, Personify, AARP, Hanson Financial, Community Solutions Incubator at the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois, II-VI EpiWorks, Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC, and Busey.

 

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Press:

2018 Innovation Celebration Award finalists announced, Smile Politely

 

Willard Airport Sees 12% Passenger Growth in 2017

From the press release:

For the first time in ten years, the University of Illinois hosted over 100,000 departing passengers through Willard Airport leading to more than 200,000 total passengers traveling to and from the Champaign-Urbana region through the airport.

The increase in passenger traffic is accredited to American Airlines increasing the number of flights in and out of the airport as well as United Airlines which began service between Champaign-Urbana (CMI) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) on June 8, 2017.

“With the increase in American Airlines flights and the new service from United Airlines, Willard Airport saw almost 50,000 additional seats available for all departing and arriving passengers in 2017. This growth in service is a boon for everyone in our community,” said Gene Cossey, Executive Director of Willard Airport.

Including all airline operations and charter operations, Willard Airport enplaned 104,596 passengers in 2017 which is highest number of enplaned passengers since 2007.

Press:

Willard Airport flew higher in 2017, The News-Gazette

Willard Airport saw growth in passenger traffic in 2017, Smile Politely

Willard’s passenger numbers soar 12 percent in 2017, The News-Gazette

Airport sees most passengers in 10 years, WCIA 3 News

 

 

13th Annual Innovation Celebration: Save the Date + Nominations Open

We are pleased to announce the 13th Annual Innovation Celebration in 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 our community.

Thursday, March 29, 2018
5:30 – 8:30 pm

Parkland College – Student Union
2400 West Bradley Avenue
Champaign, IL 61821

#INNCEL

The awards have been established to recognize the various ways in which individuals and organizations have utilized innovation, creativity, and leadership for entrepreneurial endeavors and economic development in the community. Please nominate as many people/organizations as you would like.

Nominations are open to the public and will be accepted through 5 PM on January 24, 2018. Submit your nomination(s) here. 

Nominations will be viewed and judged by a panel of past winners, sponsors and community & university leaders. Finalists will be announced in early February 2018.

Innovation Celebration is hosted by the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation in partnership with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Parkland College, and community sponsors.

For sponsorship information, please contact Carly McCrory via email or 217-359-6261.

To learn more about the event, view past award winners, watch our videos, and RSVP, visit our event website.

Awards & Descriptions

Innovation Transfer Award-University of Illinois
Recognizes an individual or group from the University of Illinois whose research has resulted in either a discovery or a work with the potential for significant societal impact.

Alexis Wernsing Innovation Award-University of Illinois
Recognizes an individual or team from the University of Illinois that has channeled their experience living with a disability into positive change through the creation of new products, environments, or protocols that enhance quality of life.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Social Venture Award
Serve as change agents by creating and implementing sustainable solutions to reshape society, benefit humanity, and address social concerns.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Student Startup Award
Formed by students in the last three years and demonstrates a commitment to continuing success through entrepreneurial talent, creativity and energy.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: New Venture Award
Formed in the last three years, and demonstrates a commitment to continuing success through entrepreneurial talent, creativity and energy.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Advocacy Award
Actively engage, encourage, coach and mentor entrepreneurs in the community, and provide extensive support to help them achieve success.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Management Award
Demonstrates expertise in assembling resources, creating an organization, and working to build and implement effective action plans.

Innovation: Economic Development Impact Award
Has made a significant economic development impact in the community and continues to demonstrate their commitment to Champaign County.

Grand Opening: Clarkson Soy Products

On Monday, October 23rd, we celebrated the grand opening of Clarkson Soy Products, located at 101 Mercury Drive in Champaign.

Located at Titan Warehouse, this new 30,000 SF facility is the first of its kind in North America. The company processes, distributes, and exports high-quality Certified Organic and non-GMO lecithins for the food, personal care, nutritional, supplement, pet care, animal nutrition, and industrial markets.

Tours of the facility were provided. View event photos here.
 
Want to learn more about Soy Lecithin and why it is used in products? View this article. 
 
The City of Champaign, Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, and Coldwell Banker Commercial Devonshire Realty assisted Clarkson Soy, LLC in finding a suitable site. Clarkson Soy Products, LLC worked with The Atkins Group and other contractors to complete the project. The February 2017 project announcement can be viewed here. 
 
About Clarkson Soy Products:
 
Clarkson Soy Products, LLC was founded in 2002, offering the world’s first certified organic soy lecithin. It used an entirely natural process without any synthetic solvents, offering commercial quantities with excellent quality.
 
During their first 10 years, they focused on growth in the certified organic food ingredient market. In their second decade of business, they continue to expand their ability to meet the needs of our customers by offering a growing list of lecithin products that meet their requirements for quality and food safety. Clarkson Soy Products, LLC is a subsidiary of Clarkson Grain Company, Inc., an employee-owned company. Learn more at http://clarksonsoy.com/.

Flightstar Celebrates Grand Opening of Hangar 10

Congrats to Flightstar on the grand opening of Hangar 10! This 31,000 SF facility was recently completed along with the refurbishment of the adjoined Hangar 3, creating a 52,000 SF complex.

Founded in 1978, Flightstar is an aviation service organization located at Willard Airport (Fly Champaign-Urbana) in Savoy, Illinois. With over 112,000 SF of hangar space, the company offers a range of services including a full-service fixed base operation, airline and general aviation maintenance, repair operations, avionics sales with installation and repair, and world-wide executive jet charter with full aircraft management services. Flightstar proudly serves as a Bombardier Authorized Service Facility and as a Honeywell Authorized Service Center. With over 120 team members, Flightstar prides itself on providing world-class aviation services delivered with a Midwestern work ethic and highly personalized customer service.

View photos from the grand opening here.

Press:

Flightstar Opens Newest Facility at Willard Airport, Fox Illinois 55/27

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