DCEOArchive for the ‘’ Category

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 Growth & Innovation Fund

On Thursday, June 16, we hosted Joe Aguilar, Deputy Director – Investment Analysis and Due Diligence for Illinois State Treasurer Michael W. Frerichs, at our office for two info sessions about the Illinois Growth and Innovation Fund (IGIF). We had a total of 38 attendees.  IGIF Economic Impact

The underlying goal of the Illinois Growth and Innovation Fund (IGIF) is to leverage state dollars to help attract, assist, and retain quality technology businesses in Illinois, which is expected to spur economic growth and job creation while earning investment returns for Illinois residents.

IGIF Goals:
– Deliver strong investment performance for Illinois
– Drive economic development for Illinois
– Foster a more connected and engaged entrepreneurial community in Illinois

To learn more about the IGIF, visit their website and/or view the documents below.

National Manufacturing Day – BRG Sports Tour

To celebrate National Manufacturing Day, we toured BRG Sports in Rantoul this morning with our Board members & the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. Some fun facts about the Rantoul facility:

> Over 4.3 million helmets are produced each year – the first “Made in the USA” helmet rolled out in June 2014.
> The building is LEED designed – 813,126 sf building footprint.IMG_6378
> The Rantoul facility is the Global Distribution, Transportation and Logistics base for BRG Sports.
> Current employee headcount is 445.

To learn about other products/innovation Made in Champaign County, click here.

About BRG Sports:

BRG Sports is a leading designer, developer and marketer of branded sports equipment, protective products and related accessories. The company markets and licenses products under well-known brands such as Bell, Riddell, Giro, Blackburn, Raskullz, Krash! and BULT. Their products incorporate leading technology and designs, and are used by professional athletes and sports enthusiasts alike. They are headquartered in Scotts Valley, California and have 27 facilities worldwide including their North American distribution hub in Rantoul, Illinois.

http://www.brgsports.com/

About National Manufacturing Day:

MFG DAY addresses common misperceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show, in a coordinated effort, what manufacturing is — and what it isn’t. By working together during and after MFG DAY, manufacturers will begin to address the skilled labor shortage they face, connect with future generations, take charge of the public image of manufacturing, and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the whole industry.

http://www.mfgday.com/

Champaign County EDC Announces Elmore as New SBDC Director

The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce Don Elmore as the new Director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC. Elmore was chosen as the top candidate after a search and evaluation that included EDC Board members and community leaders. Elmore’s first day of work is set for Monday, March 2, 2015.

SBDC Logo

As the SBDC Director, Elmore will be responsible for creating and managing programs to expand small business development opportunities in the community including minority and women owned businesses. He will also develop, coordinate and administer SBDC programs and activities, develop appropriate programs for client groups, and provide client counseling.

“Don has the best combination of small business operation and advising experience to operate the SBDC and provide business assistance to new and established small businesses,” said Craig Rost, EDC Executive Director. “The SBDC utilizes federal SBA funding and state DCEO program management and funding to provide free advisory help to any area resident interested in starting a small business or growing their existing business. Don is well qualified to provide these services and advance the SBDC mission and reach.”

“I feel excited and very fortunate for the opportunity to work with small businesses in our community,” stated Elmore. “Craig Rost and the EDC staff already do a great job of advancing business and economic development in the area, and I will use my skills, experience and energy to make this Small Business Development Center the most accessible, effective resource in the community for anyone who wants to start or grow a small business. Our area offers a great environment for developing businesses of all kinds. I look forward to doing my part in making our business environment even stronger.”

To learn more about the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC or schedule an appointment with an advisor, visit www.cusbdc.org.

About the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC:

The mission of the Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC is to assist in job creation, support entrepreneurship, business start-up, expansion, productivity, and to sharpen small business management in the region. Our organization and partners accomplish this through one-on-one counseling, technical assistance, training seminars, information provision, networking opportunities and business development and real estate expertise.

The Illinois SBDC at Champaign County EDC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois DCEO, the University of Illinois and Champaign County Economic Development Corporation.

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Contact:
Carly McCrory, Communications Director
Champaign County Economic Development Corporation
(217) 359-6261
carly@champaigncountyedc.org

Press:

Elmore to lead Small Business Development Center, The News-Gazette

New International Trade Specialist Joins Local Small Business Development Center

 

The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County Economic Development Corporation has hired Kathie Cravens as its International Trade Specialist for the new International Trade Center, a partnership with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Cravens was the top candidate following a search and comprehensive evaluation that included the SBDC, Champaign County EDC, University of Illinois, and DCEO.

Ms. Cravens, a seasoned International Trade Specialist with years of exporting experience, has traveled and lived abroad, worked closely with numerous international dealers and distributors, and has attended several international trade shows. She has advised small to medium sized companies on their export practices and has been directly involved with exporting numerous shipments of U.S. manufactured goods to every continent around the world. “I’m excited about the opportunity to assist Central Illinois companies with their expansion into the international market in an effort to expand international trade opportunities in the region and create new jobs,” stated Cravens.

She will provide in-depth advice on international trade techniques, export processes, and international market opportunities to local companies. In addition, she will provide research support for new markets and products and referral assistance for export related activities, licensing, certification, legal and financial consultation, logistics and customs issues.

“We are excited that a professional with significant international experience has joined our team,” said Greg Gonda, Director of the Small Business Development Center. “Her expertise will be an asset in expanding the array of services we offer and assisting companies with their expansion into foreign markets.” Cravens joins Gonda and Tim Montague as the third staff member.

To contact Ms. Cravens and learn more about the International Trade Center, please contact her at 217-378-8535 or kathie@champaigncountyedc.org.

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