Together with the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce and community leaders, we hosted Governor Bruce Rauner in Champaign-Urbana on July 3, 2018.
We toured Wolfram Research, Granular in University of Illinois Research Park, & A&R Mechanical. We also got the chance to chat with Agrible.
View photos here.
Thanks to Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District for the ride!
CHAMPAIGN, IL, June 22, 2018 – The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce Carly McCrory as its new Executive Director. McCrory was chosen as the top candidate after a state-wide search, interview and evaluation process that included EDC Board members and community leaders. McCrory will officially start the position on July 1, 2018.
Carly McCrory
“In the end this was an easy choice. Carly is passionate about the work that EDC does, understands what it takes to be successful, and has an in-depth grasp of the organization. She also understands our local economy and how to market our community,” stated Bruce Knight, Planning and Development Director for the City of Champaign and outgoing EDC Board Chair. “I am very excited to see the impact of Carly’s leadership going forward.”
McCrory has been at the organization for almost six years, first serving as Communications Director, then as Assistant Director since July 2016. She previously worked for Tuscola Economic Development, Inc. as the Marketing and Communications Specialist.
“I’m excited to begin working alongside Carly in her well-deserved new role,” said Betty Brennan, Owner and President of Taylor Studios Inc. and incoming EDC Board Chair. “Her passion, expertise and leadership will continue to propel the success of the EDC. We have a lot of work to do and are looking forward to assisting the continued growth of our county and community.”
In addition to creating and implementing a new Strategic Plan and managing day-to-day operations, McCrory will lead business attraction, retention, and expansion efforts, overall marketing strategies, and oversee the Illinois Small Business Development Center.
“I’m thrilled for this opportunity and excited to lead the organization,” said McCrory. “The Champaign County economy is strong and growing. Together with the EDC Board, community leaders, elected officials, and key economic development partners, I look forward to advancing the success of our region and showcasing our county as a leader in economic development.”
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CHAMPAIGN, IL, May 30, 2018 – The International Trade Center of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC proudly accepted the Export Awareness and Development Award at the 2018 Governor’s Export Awards, held at the Union League Club of Chicago on May 24th.
The Governor’s Export Awards are Illinois’ highest recognition of export achievement, honoring Illinois companies that have achieved excellence in exporting, as well as organizations that provide export assistance.
“We’re honored to receive this recognition,” said Craig Rost, Executive Director of the Champaign County EDC. “Our International Trade Center plays a critical role in growing our regional economy by helping companies export their products and identify areas for international trade opportunities.”
The International Trade Center is dedicated to providing resources, advising, and training to existing and new-to-export manufacturing companies in Central and East Central Illinois. By developing and expanding their international trade, it helps make our Illinois economy stronger and more competitive, increases company profits through exports, and sustains and creates new jobs.
Since its inception in 2013, the International Trade Center has assisted 78 clients, held 20 export training workshops, seminars and events with 415 attendees, and increased export sales by $54 million. Additionally, 19 clients have benefited from the Illinois State Trade Export Promotion Program (ISTEP), receiving nearly $80,000 in foreign travel reimbursement.
“Kathie Cravens and the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at the Champaign County EDC have provided remarkable support and guidance for area firms seeking to expand their export sales or to explore international trade as a way to expand their existing markets,” said Mark Petrilli, Illinois SBDC State Director. “The experience, expertise and knowledge provided to these businesses has been invaluable and has dramatically increased exports in Illinois.”
EP Purification, a Champaign company that manufactures innovative and environmentally sound systems for the purification of water and air, was awarded the New Exporter Award. Dr. Sung-Jin Park, co-founder and CTO, was in attendance to accept the award. The New Exporter Award highlights companies that have begun exporting products or services within the last three years.
Illinois’ export industry helps create high paying jobs here at home and contributes millions to the state’s economy. The State of Illinois is the number one exporting state in the Midwest and fifth in the United States. Last year alone, $65 billion worth of Illinois manufactured products were sold all around the world. Illinois’ exporting growth outpaced the national average by nearly 31 percent.
About the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC:
The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC is part of America’s Small Business Development Center Network, the most comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States, and provides information, confidential business guidance, training and other resources to startup and existing small businesses.
The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC is funded through a cooperative agreement between the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Department of Commerce, and the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation; with additional support provided by EDC of Decatur and Macon County and the Midwest Inland Port. Learn more at http://www.cusbdc.org/.
View photos here.
As part of the II-VI Epiworks event, a Proclamation was read by Council Member Angie Brix (on behalf of Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen) declaring May 15, 2018 as II-VI EpiWorks Day in the City of Champaign.
From the press release:
PITTSBURGH, May 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – II‐VI Incorporated (NASDAQ:IIVI), a leading provider of compound semiconductor epitaxial wafers, today announced the opening of its new high tech compound semiconductor material center of excellence in Champaign, Illinois.
This represents a significant milestone in II-VI’s ongoing investment in its manufacturing footprint to ramp up production capacity of high performance compound semiconductor epitaxial wafers. These products serve growing markets and are at the core of 3D sensing, optical networking, wireless communications and power electronics. Since the groundbreaking for this expansion, in November 2016, II-VI continues to actively recruit managers, engineers and technicians to join its experienced team.
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner was present at the inauguration’s ribbon cutting ceremony.
“On behalf of II-VI, I would like to express my thanks to the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity for its ongoing support and unwavering commitment to our success,” said Quesnell Hartmann, General Manager and co-founder of II-VI EpiWorks. “The completion of this phase in our expansion provides us with the critical infrastructure to scale our production, advance our technology, and enable us to serve the rapidly growing demand from our global customer base.”
“II-VI and the State of Illinois have formed a strong partnership, sharing a vision that businesses with leading edge technology and advanced manufacturing capabilities are the most competitive over the long-term,” said Dr. Chuck Mattera, President and CEO, II-VI Incorporated. “With support from Illinois, we expect to continue to invest in this Champaign facility, by adding state-of-the-art manufacturing capacity, improving process capabilities, broadening the product portfolio and recruiting and developing a lot of talent to fill the anticipated growth in jobs and opportunities for career growth.”
“It’s a thrill to participate in the opening of a manufacturing facility that will develop key technology enabling some of the most exciting new consumer electronics in the world.” Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner said. “It showcases how local industry, strong university systems and state government can partner to realize a bold vision for a globally competitive semiconductor manufacturing center of excellence that’s built right here, in the heart of our wonderful State of Illinois.”
II-VI develops and manufactures compound semiconductor epitaxial wafers that enable devices to achieve high bandwidth, power efficiency and reliability. II-VI’s global compound semiconductor production capabilities include multi-purposed 6 inch wafer fabs with both epitaxy and device fabrication capabilities for GaAs, SiC and InP compound semiconductors.
View event photos here.
Together with Education for Employment System #330, we’re excited to release a new video highlighting the Early College & Career Academy (ECCA), a joint effort of EFE #330 (a K-12 Career and Technical Education cooperative) and 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 seven different Parkland College degree programs.
Video created by Five Foot Productions.
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 »