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Champaign County EDC Participates in 2021 SelectUSA Investment Summit

From the press release:

The State of Illinois today announced that a delegation from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Intersect Illinois and 17 economic development partners will represent Illinois at the 2021 virtual SelectUSA Investment Summit hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce. These “Team Illinois” representatives will meet with global companies attending the summit, running from June 7-11, to highlight the state’s advantages for foreign direct investment (FDI).

Team Illinois aims to facilitate job-creating investment by recruiting global companies to the state. An estimated 3,000 attendees from over 75 countries will be present at this year’s summit, offering the State and its partners an ideal opportunity to network with companies and create new pathways to investment opportunities.

“Illinois continues to be a leader in attracting international company investments, thanks to our talented workforce, diverse and growing economy, and the ingenuity and innovation of businesses that call our state home,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “FDI is crucial to our local economy, with over 2,000 foreign-based companies propelling hundreds of thousands of jobs for communities across the state and making Illinois a leader in FDI employment. In spite of the pandemic, we’ve welcomed hundreds of new FDI investments in the past year, and we continue to support our global partners with making investments here. On behalf of Team Illinois, we are proud to participate in this year’s Summit and to help more global companies build a bright future here.”

Team Illinois partners attending this year’s summit include:

• Illinois Office of Trade and Investment
• Intersect Illinois
• Alliance STL
• Ameren
• Bloomington-Normal EDC
• Champaign County EDC
• Chicago Southland EDC
• Choose DuPage
• ComEd
• Economic Development Corporation of Decatur- Macon County
• Greater Peoria EDC
• Growth Dimensions (Belvidere-Boone County)
• Invest Aurora
• Lake County Partners
• Leadership Council of Southwestern Illinois
• North Central Illinois EDC
• Quad Cities Chamber
• Rockford Area EDC
• Will County Center for Economic Development

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is crucial to the state’s economy, with over 2,000 foreign based companies representing over 74 countries directly supporting over 375,000 jobs. This makes Illinois the 5th in the nation for FDI employment. Last year alone, Illinois welcomed 329 new investments, powering major projects in the fields of software and IT services, business and financial services, and industrial equipment, among others. Illinois’ sprawling global presence includes strong relationships with top FDI countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Canada, and France.

Delegates will promote a wide variety of Illinois communities for business investment, while highlighting the state’s assets including its modern transportation infrastructure, talented and diverse workforce, easy access to key suppliers, markets and customers, as well as its supportive business climate and vibrant geography.

“SelectUSA is one of the highest profile events dedicated to foreign direct investment in the United States, a powerful and effective way for us to show global companies all that Illinois has to offer,” said Alya Adamany Woods, acting CEO and COO of Intersect Illinois. “By bringing together Team Illinois, we are showcasing the diverse industries and communities that make Illinois unique and what makes the state an ideal location for a wide variety of investment.”

Parkland College Submits Bid for $7.5M Manufacturing Training Academy

CHAMPAIGN, IL – Parkland College, in collaboration with the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, the University of Illinois Research Park, regional manufacturers, and community partners, has submitted a bid to become the site of a $7.5 million manufacturing training academy through a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). Governor JB Pritzker announced the program in Champaign County in late October during a tour of local of manufacturers.

Focused on meeting the emerging training and workforce demands of Illinois manufacturers, the academy will leverage the assets of the Champaign-Urbana community to grow the manufacturing talent pipeline, provide hands-on training in advanced skills, and assist manufacturers from across the region in scaling emerging technologies. Training opportunities will include advanced skills in machining, robotics and programmable logic controllers (PLC), and advanced manufacturing in addition to the core elements of manufacturing already available, such as welding.

“Community colleges are vehicles and engines of economic growth and vitality for our communities and our state,” said Parkland president Dr. Thomas Ramage. “Parkland is well-positioned to be the site of this strategic investment due to the track record of success in scaling regional training programs like the Parkland Institute of Aviation, Ford ASSET program, and the Midwest Center for Precision Agriculture. Proximity to and collaboration with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ensures that the AMTA will continually have access to the innovations and technology that will shape the future of manufacturing.”

Laura Frerichs, Executive Director of the University of Illinois Research Park says she agrees that locating the Advanced Manufacturing Training Academy in Champaign-Urbana would provide a strategic advantage to scaling new companies stemming from the latest research and development taking place at the University.

“One of the challenges of scaling a research and development startup company is the transition from prototype to scalable product,” said Frerichs. “While the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has technologists to invent disruptive and innovative products, its spinout companies need makers to build them. This academy will provide startups with a workforce that can replicate products with quality standards and customer satisfaction in mind, using advanced techniques such as increased automation. The Advanced Manufacturing Training Academy project will fill a critical gap in our community and allow our companies to scale and grow right here in Illinois.”

Building the Workforce Pipeline Through Awareness

Another central focus of the AMTA will be cultivating a pipeline of students to meet the expanding high-tech workforce demands in Central Illinois. As part of the AMTA, an advanced manufacturing “maker space” will be developed as a vital outreach tool to engage K-12 students and promote advanced manufacturing career pathways.

Parkland’s long-standing partnership with Education for Employment (EFE) System #330 and regional school districts will enable collaborative recruitment efforts.

The college will also build on the strong network of community partnerships and recruitment activities developed through the college’s Support for Workforce Training (SWFT) program funded by the Illinois Workforce Equity Initiative (WEI) grant to reach underrepresented populations.

Whether or not the facility project is funded, Ramage says the college is committed to addressing the workforce pipeline.

“We are committed to continuing to serve manufacturers and help young people understand the rewarding, high-tech careers in manufacturing that exist locally and regionally,” said Ramage. “We don’t want individuals to miss out on the opportunities to pursue their goals and support their families because there is a lack of awareness of what it means to work in manufacturing.”

Meeting the Needs of Industry

The college will utilize a flexible training model to meet the needs of working students and employers, allowing them to access advanced training without the need to relocate. Ramage says that collaboration with the other community colleges in the region will be key and that the model opens opportunities for highly customized training and upskilling for the existing workforce as well as new students.

In order to design a comprehensive academy model that meets the needs of manufacturers, Parkland turned to local employers like Litania Sports Group to understand their needs for training as well as an expanded workforce pipeline.

“The prospect of having a Manufacturing Training Academy in our community is an investment in our regional workforce and a stabilizer for manufacturers in the area,” said Mary McGrew, VP of Human Resources at Litania Sports Group. “We struggle to find qualified workers to hold full-time jobs. We can send existing employees to the AMTA for skills enhancement to meet our changing technology. We can also work with the program to develop talent for students who want to start their career sooner, and less costly, than a four-year degree will allow. East central Illinois is home to some impressive manufacturing companies and the AMTA is a resource that can keep these companies competitive on a national level well into the future.”

The lessons learned from these focused conversations with employers provided some forecasting on future shifts in the industry and how workforce training will need to rise to meet that challenge.

“Manufacturing is a primary economic driver that requires responsive educational support,” said Dr. Justin Arnold, Director of Workforce Development for the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission. “Parkland’s AMTA proposed project will ensure the workforce is ready for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Manufacturing has radically transformed over the past generation. We need Parkland’s AMTA to help employers train our workforce in automation, coding, robotics, and other advanced skills.”

The placement of the AMTA at Parkland College will also have a broader impact on the regional economy. “The proposed Advanced Manufacturing Training Academy (AMTA) at Parkland College will expand opportunities for short- and long-term skills training, boost retention of manufacturers in our region, and attract more investment to Illinois,” said Carly McCrory-McKay, Executive Director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation.

“Focused on meeting the emerging training and workforce demands of our area manufacturers, the academy will leverage the strong assets of the Champaign County region to grow the manufacturing talent pipeline, provide hands-on training in advanced skills, and assist manufacturers from across the region in scaling emerging technologies. We look forward to working with Parkland College and workforce development partners across the state of Illinois to encourage more people to explore the possibilities of modern manufacturing, gain the skills necessary for careers in the 21st century, and retrain workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

State-of-the-Art Training Facility

If awarded, the Parkland Manufacturing Training Academy would be built as an expansion of the Parkhill Applied Technology Center, located on the northwest corner of the college’s campus. The Parkhill Applied Technology Center currently houses the college’s manufacturing and automotive programs, including an existing American Welding Society (AWS) Accredited Test Facility welding lab.

The 10,000 square foot AMTA, designed in collaboration with Urbana-based firm IGW Architecture, will include:

  • a robotics/programmable logic controllers (PLCs) lab outfitted with the latest technology and equipment
  • new tool and die training program and dedicated lab
  • two demonstration labs for both academic and community/youth programming, including the manufacturing “maker space”
  • newly equipped CNC machining lab to support advanced skills training
  • newly equipped CAD/CAM classroom

The college should learn later this spring whether it is awarded the grant and whether the facility project will move forward.

Link to press release: https://www.parkland.edu/Main/About-Parkland/Newsroom/Parkland-News/ArtMID/1187/ArticleID/782?fbclid=IwAR1_VufzIHtbRz-Pt8uLkbtlKxF8g6DaxGbCNWvvKOPDOgb2HejQ35zuoxM

Press:

Parkland College would like to be a manufacturing training center site, Smile Politely

College submits bid in hopes to build Manufacturing Training Academy, WCIA 3 News

Parkland submits bid for $7.5 million manufacturing academy, The News-Gazette

EDC Hosts DCEO for Manufacturing Tours in Celebration of Illinois Manufacturing Month

In celebration of Illinois Manufacturing Month, we were honored to host the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity on Monday, October 26 to showcase products & innovation Made in Champaign County.

Our visits included the Early College & Career Academy (ECCA) at Parkland College, Flex-N-Gate, Clarkson Specialty Lecithins, University of Illinois Research Park, EarthSense, TEKMILL, PSYONIC, and Serionix.

Early College & Career Academy (ECCA) at Parkland College

The Early College and Career Academy (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 different Parkland College degree programs, including manufacturing.

The Early College and Career Academy (ECCA) is a joint effort of Education for Employment System #330 (a K-12 Career and Technical Education cooperative) and Parkland College.

 

 

Flex-N-Gate

Starting with aftermarket parts in 1956 and moving into O.E. in 1968, Flex-N-Gate produces the highest quality products and systems for the automotive industry. With their extensive plastics, metals and mechanical assemblies experience, they persistently strive for continuous improvement and on-time delivery of defect-free products. They provide their customers a comprehensive solution using their collective resources of product engineering, project management, testing, stamping, welding, molding, painting, plating, assembly and shipping.

A global platform with 64 integrated manufacturing facilities in United States, Brazil, China, Argentina, Spain, France, Germany, Mexico and Canada that provide clients with improved quality, efficiency, cost and control. Flex-N-Gate has 7 North American testing facilities for both lighting and bumper testing and validation. They have 4 engineering centers around the world working with each of their component divisions. With over 24,000 associates world-wide (HQ in Urbana) they can build components and deliver them anywhere.

Clarkson Specialty Lecithins

As of July 2018, Clarkson Soy Products, LLC changed its name to Clarkson Specialty Lecithins. Their company, which offered the world’s first certified organic soy lecithin since it was founded back in 2002, continues to operate with the same structure, ownership and staff. They have always used an entirely natural process without any synthetic solvents, offering commercial quantities of soy and sunflower lecithin with excellent quality. During their first decade in business they focused on growth in the Certified Organic food ingredient market, and in their second decade of business they continue to expand their ability to meet their customers’ needs by offering an ever-expanding line of lecithin products that meet current requirements for quality and food safety – including the World’s First Natural Lecithin.

Clarkson Specialty Lecithins is the only company dedicated to lecithin produced in North America, from either of their two U.S. plants located in Cherokee, IA and Champaign, IL, supplying both Non-GMO and Certified Organic lecithins. They currently ship to four continents, in quantities from 10 lb. buckets to 50 lb. packs, to container loads and truck loads. They have distribution in Canada and the EU, and soon in other regions and countries around the world.

EarthSense at University of Illinois Research Park

EarthSense is creating dramatic new possibilities for crop breeders, plant protection products developers, crop scientists, and field agronomists. Their first robot—TerraSentia—improves the quantity, accuracy, cost and speed of in-field plant trait data collection, especially for under-canopy traits that cannot be obtained from aerial data. Their machine vision and machine learning based analytics seamlessly convert field data to specific, actionable information about plant-traits. Following their successful 2019 field season, they have improved TerraSentia hardware, software, and analytics based on these pioneering users’ experience.

TEKMILL at University of Illinois Research Park

Since 2015, TEKMILL has been passionately serving its clients with top-tier design engineering locally in Central Illinois and with a growing number of clients across the nation. Wanting to bridge the gap between engineering and manufacturing for early stage companies, founder Gary Durack envisioned a firm that could bring ideas to life from the initial design to full scale production. He found the need for this beneficial pairing of services was greatest among startups and tech entrepreneurs. Building a reputation for excellence and flexibility, TEKMILL has also become the solution for industry leaders needing a collaborative partner in product development.

Strong design and excellence in manufacturing have put TEKMILL in a class of its own. TEKMILL’s deep engineering expertise has significantly accelerated businesses in the life sciences, medical, automotive, industrial, and automation industries. Whether a client needs rapid prototyping, parts re-engineering, product development, or large-scale manufacturing, TEKMILL is ready to deliver.

PSYONIC at University of Illinois Research Park

With the Ability Hand™, PSYONIC is redefining what it means to be human for individuals with limb differences. It’s not just about what their users can achieve, it’s beyond that. They’ve developed an affordable and accessible prosthesis with unique bionic abilities—that surpass human capabilities—providing individuals with technology superior to anything else currently on the market. The Ability Hand is the only multigrip bionic hand Made in the USA.

Serionix

Serionix originated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2011 through coordinated efforts by Professor James Economy, James Langer and Weihua Zheng.

Through years of extensive research and development, their team has developed an award-winning filtration technology that has received support from the Army, the National Science Foundation, and NASA in excess of $3M.

Governor Pritzker Announces $15 Million Investment to Build New Manufacturing Training Academies in Downstate Communities

Funding Will Increase Access to Manufacturing Training and Create Pipeline for 21st Century Talent

CHAMPAIGN, IL– Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) and industry leaders in announcing a first-of-its-kind program to expand manufacturing training opportunities for Illinois residents. Through a $15 million Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) released today, Illinois will establish two new innovative Manufacturing Trainings Academies that will expand opportunities for skills training, boost retention of manufacturers in downstate communities, and attract more investment by manufacturing companies throughout Illinois.

“I’m proud to announce today that Illinois is dedicating $15 million to establish two downstate manufacturing training academies to address the shortage of skilled workers. We’re investing directly in communities and in companies with programs that will allow businesses to grow, retain and attract new talent for higher paying jobs of the future,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “These new Manufacturing Training Academies will provide 21st century manufacturing training to help more of our residents bring the right skills to the workplace, while helping Illinois companies keep up as they retool to remain competitive for the future. And through this program, we will bring investments where they are most needed, specifically for downstate communities, where these cutting-edge training opportunities have not been as widely available.”

Through a competitive NOFO process, DCEO will provide a total of $15 million for two capital grants to fund the construction of new facilities to house two new Manufacturing Training Academies in downstate Illinois. The NOFO is seeking proposals from community colleges to provide cutting-edge training programs that will equip students for an array of well-paying skilled manufacturing jobs that require specialized training.

The Manufacturing Training Academies are part of the economic vision for growth and equity put forward by the Governor’s 5-year economic plan, which offers a blueprint for growth among the state’s strongest and highest growth potential sectors – including manufacturing.  These academies will offer specialized training that’s not widely available at downstate community colleges for high-demand manufacturing jobs such as machinery mechanics and computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine operators and programmers.

“Manufacturing has long been at the heart of Illinois’ economy and with these timely and critical investments we will ensure we capture a large share of the industry’s projected growth in the years ahead—which represents boundless opportunities for the next generation of workers and a pathway to well-paying jobs of the future,” said DCEO Director Erin B. Guthrie. “Under the leadership of Governor Pritzker, we will continue to make key investments to that will not only attract new companies but ensure our current businesses have the talent and resources to flourish.”

Eligible applicants for the Manufacturing Training Academies NOFO include community college districts or coalitions of community college districts in downstate Illinois, which includes all of Illinois outside of Cook and the collar counties, areas which face difficulty in recruiting for manufacturing and retaining manufacturers due to a shortage in training resources.  The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), representing Illinois’ 39 community college districts, partnered with DCEO in creating the project proposal.

“As Illinois’ largest workforce training provider, community colleges statewide have the expertise to partner with local communities to help guide our residents on the path to meaningful careers through these new facilities,” said Brian Durham, Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB). “Manufacturing remains an important and growing industry for our state, and we are poised, with the right investments, to ensure more Illinoisans get the opportunities they need to train for these 21st century jobs. The ICCB and the community college system stand ready to work with the Governor and other local partners to help lead this initiative.”

Future training academies will address a skills shortage that is being faced by employers across the nation as they adopt new technologies in manufacturing production. These new training centers will help meet the needs of regional employers, located in communities where specialized programming is not broadly available at the local community colleges.

“The future of manufacturing is already here. Technologies like collaborative robots and artificial intelligence are reshaping the skill needs in manufacturing,” said David Boulay, President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC). “New investments by the State of Illinois to create Manufacturing Training Academies offer the promise to not only reimagine manufacturing jobs but also to upskill our talented workforce and ensure our Illinois manufacturers remain globally competitive.”

The new program was announced today at Eden Park Illumination, an Illinois-based start-up company producing one-of-a-kind UV lighting used across several industries. Eden Park borne out of research by professors Dr. Gary Eden and Dr. Sung-Jin Park from the world-leading College of Engineering at the University of Illinois. In recent months the company has increased its manufacturing output by a factor of ten and has tripled hiring. To keep up with current and future demand, the company plans to hire additional manufacturing workers, and like other companies in the region, is seeking skilled labor to fill these roles.

“Given the new demands facing all of our communities due to COVID-19, Eden Park is committed to developing solutions that will bring us back safer and more prepared than ever before,” said John Yerger, CEO of Eden Park Illumination. “To keep up with current and future demand, Illinois companies like ours are making plans today to invest in training and workforce development that will prepare workers for more exciting innovations that lie ahead.  Future Illinois Manufacturing Training Academies will support Illinois employers by ensuring more local residents are equipped for the increasingly technical jobs of the future.”

The academies will also develop extensive partnerships for curricular support, operational funding, recruitment, and job placement, including with private-sector employers, K-12 schools and Illinois’ Local Workforce Innovation Boards.

“Manufacturing is an important pillar in many of our communities and infuses new dollars into our economy,” said State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign). “This critical investment will help rebuild our economy as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.”

More than 18,000 Illinois companies manufacture a wide range of products, employ over 550,000 residents, and produce a wide range goods which account for nearly $60 billion in exports every year – making Illinois the fourth largest state in the U.S. for international exports, and Illinois-made products in hundreds of countries around the world.  By 2028, an estimated 4.6 million new manufacturing jobs will need to be filled nationwide. Illinois, with its productive workforce, central location, high-quality infrastructure, and strong foundation in a diverse range of manufacturing sectors, is well-positioned to compete for these jobs.

“Manufacturing has always been an integral part of the Illinois economy, and today’s announcement will help support companies in addressing their current and future workforce needs,” said Carly McCrory-McKay, Executive Director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation. “We appreciate Governor Pritzker and DCEO’s continued support of our Illinois manufacturers and look forward to working with economic and workforce development partners across the state of Illinois to encourage more people to explore the possibilities of modern manufacturing and gain the skills necessary for careers in the 21st century.”

Today’s announcement coincides with October’s designation as Manufacturing Month in Illinois.  Throughout the month, DCEO has hosted numerous virtual events and webinars showcasing some of the state’s industry leading companies, allowing residents and communities to engage and learn more about manufacturing growth and exciting opportunities of working in the modern-day manufacturing industry. For more on these events and to receive the latest updates on manufacturing beyond this month, please visit DCEO’s website or follow along on social @IllinoisDCEO.

View the press release here.

Press:

During Champaign visit, Pritzker announces manufacturing training academies, The News-Gazette

At Champaign manufacturer, Pritzker announces training academies, The News-Gazette

During Champaign Visit, Pritzker Unveils Plan To Support Manufacturing In Illinois, Illinois Newsroom

Governor announces funding opportunities for manufacturing job training, WCIA 3 News

New manufacturing training academies to be established in downstate Illinois, WAND 17

New manufacturing training academies coming to Illinois, FOX Illinois

International Trade Center Honored as Presidential “E” Award Recipient for Export Achievements

International Trade Center Honored as Presidential “E” Award Recipient for Export Achievements

39 American Companies and Organizations Receive Highest U.S. Honor for Export Success

CHAMPAIGN, IL, October 26, 2020 – The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce that its International Trade Center of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC has been selected as a recipient of the 2020 President’s “E” Awards for Export Service, the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S exports.

“The International Trade Center has demonstrated a sustained commitment to export expansion, said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross in his congratulatory letter to the organization. “The “E” Awards Committee was impressed with your organization’s achievement of increases to the export sales of clients working with the International Trade Center. The organization’s client assistance in multiple languages was also particularly notable. The International Trade Center’s achievements have undoubtedly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs.”

The International Trade Center (ITC) of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC, led by Mariel Huasanga, a Certified Global Business Professional and seasoned exporter, provides assistance with international trade and exporting.

“Mariel Huasanga and the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center provide exceptional service and support to existing and new Illinois exporters,” said Mark Petrilli, State Director of the Illinois SBDC Network. “Clients of the ITC benefit from Mariel’s tremendous expertise, deep experience and extensive knowledge of international markets and exporting regulations, in addition to her sincere passion to help them succeed.”

The International Trade Center offers information, counseling and training to existing and new-to-export companies interested in pursuing international trade opportunities. Services include evaluation of company’s readiness to export, access to foreign market information, documentation assistance, automated trade leads, linkages with trade representatives, and more.

“Our International Trade Center is one of only eight organizations in the country to receive the “E” Award for Export Service in 2020,” said Don Elmore, Director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC. “Mariel Huasanga’s impact on our International Trade Center, and our organization as a whole, has been incredibly important since she joined us in 2018. She has helped numerous companies improve their international trade operations with her expert counseling and guidance, including helping them secure important resources such as STEP grants, which help companies increase their exports. Most recently, Mariel has helped two area businesses gain valuable recognition through the Illinois District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration and America’s SBDC.”

In total, Secretary Ross honored 39 U.S. companies and organizations from across the country with the President’s “E” Award for their role in strengthening the U.S. economy by sharing American ingenuity outside of our borders.

“Our organization is convinced of the importance of exporting as a critical driver of economic growth, especially for small businesses,” said Mariel Huasanga, International Trade Center Director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC. “We are honored and humbled to receive this recognition – and it inspires us to continue providing the best support and guidance to potential and current exporters in our region to successfully enter and compete in foreign markets. We are grateful to our clients who trusted us as a key partner in developing and implementing their export strategy; and to our local, state and federal partners.”

American companies and organizations are nominated for “E” Awards through the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service office network, located within the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. Record years of successive export growth and an applicant’s demonstration of an innovative international marketing plan that led to the increase in American exports are significant factors in selecting the overall winners.

“I’d personally like to thank Don Elmore, our SBDC Director, and our host, the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, led by Carly McCrory-McKay, for their strong and ongoing support for our center to continue expanding and improving to better serve our clients,” Huasanga stated. “I also thank Elizabeth Ahern, Director of the U.S. Commercial Service office in Peoria, for supporting our nomination and for her valuable partnership.”

About the “E” Awards

In 1961, President Kennedy signed an executive order reviving the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and provide recognition to America’s exporters. Criteria for the award is based on four years of successive export growth in one or more international markets.

For more information about the “E” Awards and the benefits of exporting, visit www.trade.gov.

 

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