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://
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – JULY 11, 2012
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT
The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has selected Mike Kirchhoff as its new President/CEO. Kirchhoff emerged as the top candidate following a six-month nationwide search and a comprehensive evaluation and interview process that included both CCEDC and community leaders.
Mr. Kirchhoff is expected to begin his duties in late July or early August. Mike Kirchhoff has worked in economic development for over two decades. He is a native of Illinois and during his career he has served in economic development roles at the state, regional and local levels in three states and in several different capacities, including with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, Illinois Power Company, two local economic development corporations in Illinois (Tuscola and Jacksonville), the Indianapolis Partnership, and most recently as Vice President of Business Recruitment and Retention for the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to bring Mike back “home” to Illinois” commented current Board Chair Gary Burgett, who led the search process. “Mike possesses a combination of skills, training and experience that will not only benefit the EDC but all of Champaign County. We look forward to welcoming Mike and his family to Champaign County.”
“When we initiated this search in January our primary goal was to find the very best economic development executive for Champaign County and with Mike we feel that goal has been achieved. Without a strong local initiative focused on creating and retaining jobs for Champaign County, we leave our future in somebody else’s hands. Under Mike’s leadership the economic future of the county should be strong and stable” added Laura Frerichs, incoming EDC Board Chair.
The hiring of Mike Kirchhoff coincides with the retirement of current EDC President John Dimit. Mr. Dimit came to the EDC in April 2008 as the interim CEO and was soon asked to provide permanent leadership. Prior to his position with the EDC, John served as the CEO of the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission where he retired in 2007 after 40 years of service. “John’s long standing commitment to the local community has been integral to cultivating, strengthening, and sustaining vital, constructive relationships among the diverse stakeholders served by the EDC,” commented Burgett.
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.
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.
Video Source: FirstBusey’s YouTube Channel, Busey, May 14, 2012
In case you missed Busey’s 60th Champaign County Economic Seminar, the program is now available on FirstBusey’s YouTube channel. This year’s theme was “Champaign County—Great by Choice” hosted by Vice Chairman of Busey Bank Ed Scharlau. Expressing optimism about the economy, Scharlau discussed positive trends in Champaign County.
Thank you to Busey for being an investor in the Champaign County EDC. The Champaign County EDC is supported publicly and privately by businesses, institutions and individuals like you. It is through the stewardship of economic stakeholders in our community that the EDC is able to conduct its development initiatives.
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 »