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Innovation Celebration 2017: Save the Date + Nominations Open

We are pleased to announce the 12th 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.

Friday, March 3, 2017
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 4 pm on December 9, 2016.

– Nomination link: http://go.illinois.edu/2017ICNominations
– RSVP link: http://go.illinois.edu/2017ICAwardRSVP

Nominations will be viewed and judged in early December 2016 by a panel of past winners, sponsors and community & university leaders. Finalists will be announced in early 2017.

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 more information, visit http://innovationcelebration.com/.

Facebook Live Q&A: Unit 4 Referendum

In advance of the November 8th election, Champaign Unit 4 Schools—in partnership with us and chambanamoms.com—will host a live Facebook Q&A on the school facilities referendum next Monday, October 17th. The hour-long broadcast will take place on the Unit 4 Facebook page starting at 8:30 p.m. Community members will have the opportunity to gather information and ask questions about the school facilities referendum that will impact six of the District’s campuses.

Board of Education Vice President Amy Armstrong and Member Kathy Richards will host the chat and take questions from participants. We’ll help facilitate the discussion.

Learn more: http://www.champaignschools.org/news-room/article/15091

Manufacturing Roundtable: Early College and Career Academy (ECCA)

img_9683To celebrate National Manufacturing Day & Manufacturing Month (as determined by the Illinois Department of Commerce), we teamed up with the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce to host a Manufacturing Roundtable on Tuesday, October 4th at Parkland College.

The discussion focused on the Early College and Career Academy (ECCA), a joint effort of Education for Employment System #330 and Parkland College. ECCA is a program for high school juniors and seniors to earn credits that count toward a high school diploma and college, all while gaining skills in six different Parkland College degree programs, including Manufacturing.

We had representatives from Parkland & EFE #330 in attendance, along with local companies + students enrolled in the program.

Frasca International, Inc. was in attendance to share their experience of partnering with ECCA to sponsor a student.

Download a PDF overview of ECCA here. Download a PDF of the current ECCA – Manufacturing courses being offered here.

To learn more about ECCA, visit: http://www.parkland.edu/ecca

Photos from the EDC: https://www.facebook.com/ChampaignCountyEDC/posts/10154078875187807

Photos from the Chamber: https://www.facebook.com/ccountychamber/posts/10157575924370008

 

Illinois American Water to Host Ribbon Cutting for One Million Gallon Elevated Water Tank

From the Illinois American Water press release:

Champaign, Ill. (Sept. 22, 2016) – Illinois American Water’s Champaign County District, the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce and the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation will celebrate the new one-million-gallon elevated water storage tank located at 2814 Hundman Drive in Champaign. A ribbon cutting will be held on Sept. 28, 2016 at 1 PM.

According to Dave Farrar, Sr. Operations Manager for Illinois American Water’s Champaign County District, this investment of over $3 million ensures reliable water service to customers. “The water tower is a critical component of our water infrastructure. The new tank will help ensure adequate supply for residents, businesses and fire protection,” said Farrar. This investment includes a steel tank that was built mostly at ground level and now sits on top of a concrete shaft, comprising the composite-style elevated storage tank. According to Farrar, using concrete for the shaft was both less expensive and requires lower future maintenance.

The new water tank also welcomes visitors to the area with both Illinois American Water’s logo and the You’re Welcome logo, representing a community campaign to brand Champaign-Urbana as a hub for innovation, attract top talent and companies, drive economic development, and brag about our micro-urban community. Craig Rost, Executive Director of the Champaign County EDC, a leader of the You’re Welcome campaign, said, “We are proud to have the You’re Welcome logo on the water tower. This investment not only enhances our community visually, but ensures water service for economic development.”

The U.S. EPA reports that the nation’s water utilities will need to make more than $384 billion in infrastructure investments by 2030 to ensure public health. These investments include replacing thousands of miles of pipe and upgrades to treatment plants, storage tanks and other assets. Illinois American Water’s investment in the Champaign County District is just another example of continuous investments and improvements being made, helping to meet the demands of today’s customers and planning for the future.

Photos: https://www.facebook.com/YoureWelcomeCU/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1095203890555872

Video from the ceremony: https://www.facebook.com/YoureWelcomeCU/videos/1095139803895614/

To see photos & video of its construction, visit: http://champaigncountyedc.org/youre-welcome-cu-reaches-new-heights

Champaign County First Trip

Craig Rost, our Executive Director, joined the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce and other community CC1stakeholders for the annual Champaign County First trip to Washington D.C., June 6-8.

Champaign County First is a united countywide effort to identify projects and/or initiatives that, when successfully completed, will greatly benefit the citizens of Champaign County; spur economic development; and improve the quality of life in Champaign County. Champaign County First partners are committed to advocating on behalf of the identified projects at the local, state and/or federal level with one voice in order to transform Champaign County.

Rost and others met with Amtrak, Senator Richard Durbin’s office, Senator Mark Kirk’s office, the United States Department of Transportation, and Congressman Rodney Davis, among others. Projects discussed: high speed rail, passenger rail, I-57/74 interchange, road and sewer improvements, and more.

 

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