University of IllinoisArchive for the ‘’ Category

Champaign County EDC Launches New Job Board

Media Contact:
Carly McCrory-McKay, Executive Director
Champaign County Economic Development Corporation
carly@champaigncountyedc.org
217-649-2586

 

Champaign County EDC Launches New Job Board

Discover Jobs in the Champaign-Urbana Area

CHAMPAIGN, IL, February 22, 2023 – A new job board launched today helps promote job opportunities in the Champaign-Urbana area. The Champaign-Urbana Area Job Board – yourewelcomecu.com/jobs – features over 90 local companies and 1,700 jobs, including full-time, part-time, and remote opportunities.

“We’re excited to launch this new community resource for local companies and job seekers,” said Carly McCrory-McKay, Executive Director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation. “Our original job board was launched in 2015, and a lot has changed since that time, especially how job seekers search for opportunities. This new software creates an aggregate of local jobs and has enhanced features to make the process smoother.”

The Champaign-Urbana Area Job Board includes Champaign County employers across various industries, including education, government, healthcare, and manufacturing. Job seekers can view and sort by industry, job type, company, and location, and they can sign up for daily alerts based on their interests.

“This new tool will greatly impact our ability to attract the best and the brightest to the University and the greater community, which in turn will help our county continue to grow and thrive,” said Dana Cohen, Director of Faculty Recruitment at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Employers in Champaign County who wish to be included on the Champaign-Urbana Area Job Board can contact edc@champaigncountyedc.org for more information.

“This is a great resource to help local talent find jobs, but also an important tool for new residents and those considering a move to the Champaign-Urbana area,” noted McCrory-McKay. “This resource will be integrated into our talent retention and attraction strategies, which includes the Chambana Welcome Crew program and New to CU Mixer events—collaborations between EDC, Visit Champaign County, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.”

The Champaign-Urbana Area Job Board is updated daily and can be viewed online at https://yourewelcomecu.com/jobs/.

About Champaign County Economic Development Corporation:

The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) is a public-private partnership dedicated to fostering a cooperative, county-wide approach to economic development. CCEDC works to improve the economic well-being of all Champaign County through efforts that entail job creation, job retention, tax base enhancements, small business development, and promotion of quality of life. CCEDC brings together community partners to support economic development by aligning interests through productive relationships, open dialogue, and advocacy efforts. Learn more at https://www.champaigncountyedc.org/.

 

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New Podcast Launches Promoting Community Pride in the Champaign-Urbana Area

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                               
October 20, 2022

Media Contacts:

Terri Reifsteck: (217) 351-4133; terrir@visitchampaigncounty.org
Carly McCrory-McKay: (217) 649-2586; carly@champaigncountyedc.org

New Podcast Launches Promoting Community Pride in the Champaign-Urbana Area

Champaign, IL—Chambana Proud, a new podcast by Visit Champaign County and the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, launched today with a goal of promoting pride in the greater Champaign-Urbana area.

Hosts Terri Reifsteck, Vice President of Marketing & Community Engagement for Visit Champaign County, and Carly McCrory-McKay, Executive Director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation plan to share what they see in their daily work, highlighting the people, places, and events that will make listeners proud to live in the Champaign-Urbana area.

“Carly and I talk frequently as we collaborate on many initiatives in the community,” explains Reifsteck. “We thought, why not get these conversations out to the public so they can learn about all the great happenings that we get to experience in our normal day-to-day.”

“We have the opportunity to connect with many individuals and organizations in the community that are doing amazing work,” says McCrory-McKay. “The podcast will be our way of sharing those connections and stories with our residents – and anyone interested in learning more about our area. We hope that it instills pride and gives everyone a better understanding of why the Champaign-Urbana area continues to be that state’s fastest-growing community.”

Listeners can expect to hear a different guest on each podcast, talking about local foods, arts & culture, sports, festivals and events, community services, and much more. “It will truly be taking the conversations we have in our daily work and bringing them to the people of this community,” shares Reifsteck. “It will be an excellent way to stay up-to-date on what’s upcoming, what’s available, and the behind-the-scenes of how it all comes together.”

The duo shares that the Chambana Proud podcast is one more tool in creating engaged residents in the Champaign-Urbana area. “For the past few years, we’ve been working on programs and resources to attract talent, engage with our employers, and welcome new residents,” says McCrory-McKay. “The podcast will help in growing that engagement with all residents, and for anyone that wants to know more about our community.” Among their most recent endeavors are the Chambana Welcome Crew, a community ambassador program helping newcomers settle into the area, and the New to CU Mixers, providing a space for residents new to the area since 2020 to connect with each other and get their questions answered.

Listeners can find Chambana Proud every other week on most podcast platforms and on www.chambanaproud.com. Local businesses interested in sponsoring an episode can contact Terri Reifsteck at terrir@visitchampaigncounty.org or Carly McCrory-McKay at carly@champaigncountyedc.org.

“Manufacturing Matters” Tour Visits Champaign, Highlights Industry’s Important Role in State and Regional Economy

“Manufacturing Matters” Tour Visits Champaign, Highlights Industry’s Important Role in State and Regional Economy 

New Economic Study Finds Manufacturing Generates $4.6 billion in Economic Output in Champaign County, Supports 12,528 Jobs

CHAMPAIGN – The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) continued its statewide “Manufacturing Matters” tour on Thursday with a stop at Parkland College to detail the results of a new economic impact study measuring the industry’s significant contributions to the state and regional economy.

Conducted by independent economists at the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina, the study found the total economic impact of manufacturing in Illinois is estimated to be between $580 billion and $611 billion every year – the largest share of any industry to the state’s Gross Domestic Product. Manufacturing directly employs 662,298 workers but ultimately supports as many as 1,771,928 jobs, generating up to $150 billion in labor income for Illinois residents annually. In all, it’s estimated that the manufacturing industry supports nearly 30 percent of all jobs in Illinois, making it among the state’s largest industry sectors.

“Manufacturing is a key pillar of our state economy, and the industry’s success is vital to our state’s success. Illinois manufacturers feed the world, make life-saving products, power our homes and businesses, build our infrastructure, transport people and products around the globe and provide for our nation’s defense,” said Mark Denzler, President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “Manufacturers are the innovators and entrepreneurs, the builders and producers, and the dreamers and leaders who are solving our challenges and creating our future. It’s imperative our elected officials enact policies to allow for the industry’s continued success, foster capital investment and grow new jobs for generations to come.”

Manufacturing is particularly important in the Champaign region. In Champaign County, the study found the industry creates $4.6 billion in economic output each year, supporting 14 percent of the county’s economy. This includes 12,528 jobs, generating $736.6 million in salaries and benefits for working men and women in the area.

“We’re proud that so many manufacturers call Champaign County home,” said Carly McCrory-McKay, Executive Director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation. “From flight simulators in Urbana and sports equipment in Champaign to hair products in Rantoul and tactical lighting products in Seymour, Champaign County has a long history of making products that have impacted the world. Today, along with the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, Parkland College, and community partners, we’re excited to recognize this top industry in our community and celebrate its significant economic impact.”

The study’s findings were detailed during an event at the Parkhill Applied Technology Center at Parkland College, where students receive hands-on training to prepare them for in-demand jobs at manufacturers across the region. Parkland recently received a $4.99 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to lead a consortium of Illinois community colleges in the implementation of competency-based education, which will test skills students already bring to the classroom to avoid redundant training and help them complete their training more efficiently.

As part of the study, economists also examined the manufacturing industry’s evolution in the face of rapid technological development, with trends suggesting a shift toward a higher-skilled workforce. This underscores the importance of working closely with education institutions, policy makers and manufacturers to provide specialized training, and the need to further expand workforce training across the state to better prepare Illinois residents to enter high-demand fields. The IMA is leading these efforts, including successfully championing the creating of two new world-class manufacturing academies scheduled to open this fall, passing legislation requiring all high schools to offer career and technical education by 2025, establishing an apprenticeship tax credit for manufacturers that train employees, and partnering with the Pritzker Administration to launch a new multi-million dollar ad campaign highlighting manufacturing jobs that will launch later this year.

“Parkland College is pleased to partner with the IMA, area employers, the Champaign County EDC, and our community college peers to prepare the workforce for the current and future needs of the manufacturing industry,” said Dr. Pam Lau, Executive Vice President at Parkland College. “As a vital part of our state and regional economy, manufacturing education must keep pace with innovations in the industry. Parkland College is evolving our curriculum to become more flexible than ever to serve the needs of both employers and workers. This—combined with the cultivation of a strong workforce pipeline and ensuring students have access to the latest equipment—will be our focus moving forward.”

The new economic impact study is among the most comprehensive looks at the true impact of manufacturing in Illinois, which has historically been underreported. The standard metrics fail to capture the multiplying economic effects of the industry, including hiring and purchases from vendors to support manufacturing operations. The study found the Illinois manufacturing industry has an employment multiplier of 2.7, meaning that for every 10 jobs directly created by manufacturers, another 17 jobs are created elsewhere in Illinois. This multiplier effect is significantly higher than other industries in Illinois, underlying the importance of adopting policies to support growth of the manufacturing industry.

“An important takeaway from this study is the sheer size of manufacturing’s economic presence in Illinois. Every job created by a manufacturer spurs additional hiring and spending across multiple industries in the state. These secondary economic effects, known as the multiplier effect, represent additional contributions to the economy and should not be overlooked,” said Joseph C. Von Nessen, Research Economist at the Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina. “Because this multiplier effect is significantly higher than other industries in Illinois, future expansions of manufacturing have the potential to generate relatively higher secondary employment impacts compared to similar expansions in other sectors. The ongoing recovery from the pandemic as well as the long-term economic health of Illinois will depend on the continued success of manufacturing.”

Additional “Manufacturing Matters” tour stops are planned to take place in communities across Illinois in the coming weeks. For more information, including a full copy of the report, please visit https://ima-net.org/2022economicanalysis/.

About the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA)

The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association is the only statewide association dedicated exclusively to advocating, promoting and strengthening the manufacturing sector in Illinois. The IMA is the oldest and largest state manufacturing trade association in the United States, representing nearly 4,000 companies and facilities. For more information, visit https://ima-net.org/.

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Former Ambassador and UN Official Ertharin Cousin to Keynote gener8tor’s OnRamp Agriculture Conference

From gener8tor:

July 7, 2022

Former Ambassador and UN Official Ertharin Cousin to Keynote gener8tor’s OnRamp Agriculture Conference

Cousin will headline an agenda that will focus on sustainable agriculture and agriculture technology trends

Champaign, IL – gener8tor — a venture capital fund and startup accelerator network — today announced that Ertharin Cousin, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Agencies for Food and Agriculture and Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme, will headline and deliver the keynote at the OnRamp Agriculture Conference on July 25 and 26 at State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.

The OnRamp Agriculture Conference brings together leading corporations, investors and startups across key industries. This year’s conference will discuss AgTech funding, scaling sustainable agriculture, industry trends and so much more. OnRamp Agriculture is made possible due to support from the University of Illinois Research Park, Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, Cooperative Ventures and Serra Ventures.

“Cousin’s rich experience influencing global agriculture policy and using agriculture as a force for good throughout the world will inspire the investors, startups, and thought leaders gathered in Champaign to chart how the private sector can positively and meaningfully contribute to the future of agriculture,” said gener8tor Partner Maggie Brickerman.

After serving as Ambassador and Head of the UN World Food Programme, Cousin founded and today guides the Food Systems for the Future team as President and CEO. As a global nutrition and food systems thought leader and advocate, Cousin also serves as a Distinguished Fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and a Visiting Scholar at the Stanford University Center on Food Security and Environment.

Prior to her global hunger work, Cousin helped lead the U.S. domestic fight to end hunger including service as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of America’s Second Harvest – now Feeding America. Cousin’s previous private sector experience includes working for Albertsons as the Senior Vice-President of Public Affairs.

Cousin’s keynote will be the signature moment of a conference featuring private-sector experts and thought leaders from diverse agriculture sectors, including Andrew Selck from EY, Marisa Bocci from K&L Gates, Teresa Garcia-Moore from The Sustainability Consortium and Rob Shultz from Serra Ventures.

To learn more about the OnRamp Agriculture Conference, keynote and other speakers, and how to register, visit https://onrampagricultureconference.com.

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About gener8tor

gener8tor is a venture capital fund and startup accelerator. Ranked one of the top-15 accelerators in the United States, gener8tor operates programs and conferences for startups, musicians, artists, investors, and workers and prioritizes investing across race, place, and gender. Fast Company named gener8tor one of the 10 Most Innovative Companies in 2020 and one of the Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2021.

Starfire Industries Announces Expansion in Champaign, New Facility to Support Deep Technology Manufacturing and Research & Development

For Immediate Release
May 20, 2022

Starfire Industries Announces Expansion in Champaign, New Facility to Support Deep Technology Manufacturing and Research & Development

Starfire’s new 194,000 square foot facility will create 22 full-time deep tech jobs

CHAMPAIGN – May 20, 2022 – Today Starfire Industries, LLC announced an expansion to establish a new manufacturing facility in Champaign, Illinois, located at 3310 N. Duncan Road. The $9.4 million project accommodates growth to a 194,000 square foot facility to increase manufacturing and research & development capabilities. The project will create at least 22 full time-jobs and retain 20 full-time jobs, as well as support 12 engineering co-op and part-time professional jobs.

“Technology investments over the past 12 years in compact particle accelerators and high-power plasma sources have resulted in game-changing innovations”, says Starfire President/CEO Brian Jurczyk. “Our team is making significant impacts across the semiconductor, nuclear, aerospace, medical, environmental, energy, mining, automotive, and security industries. Starfire reached the point where it needed to scale; finding the right location for expansion was critical. The former Patterson building is a unique space with a combination of office, engineering, manufacturing, and distribution that will support Starfire’s growth for years to come. We are excited to make this place our home and stay within the robust Champaign-Urbana deep technology ecosystem.”

Starfire Industries, recently named one of the top-10 worldwide non-destructive testing companies by Manufacturing Outlook Magazine, specializes in portable high-energy particle accelerators for diagnostic imaging, environmental sensing, active interrogation, and even oncology therapeutic treatments. This is accomplished using a process that combines physics, math, chemistry, and biology to create a strategy for inspecting, examining, and testing materials for flaws, defects, and more. Starfire’s patented Centurion® system is being used for the rapid detection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in groundwater and soil samples and quantification at the ppt level to meet stringent EPA and EU standards. Starfire is a multi-disciplinary deep technology company leveraging technical depth in many fields. The team consists of several PhDs in nuclear, plasma, radiological and electrical engineering, as well as engineers from electrical, mechanical, aerospace and material science.

Starfire’s patented IMPULSE® product has revolutionized thin-film coatings by providing precision engineering of materials at the atomic scale. Their technology is used in the manufacture of photovoltaic, superconductor, fuel cell and battery storage systems—as well as coatings on full-length nuclear fuel rods to increase strength, corrosion resistance and accident tolerance under an SBIR project with the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy and Westinghouse.

“The new facility will give us the space for a pilot in-line production system to process the long and difficult to handle nuclear fuel cladding”, says Starfire VP/CTO Robert Stubbers. “The combination of engineering, processing, QA/QC testing and distribution space is advantageous.”

Starfire develops solutions to solve challenging problems, moving ideas from the whiteboard to production. They work with a variety of federal and international organizations on innovative research & development and with a broad spectrum of global companies on products and services to meet their demanding applications.

“Starfire Industries is truly a homegrown success story, and one we’re proud to celebrate,” said Carly McCrory-McKay, executive director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation. “This story is a testament to what’s possible in Champaign County and the state of Illinois. Under Brian’s leadership, the company has grown from a startup to a large-scale manufacturing facility. We’re grateful for their continued investment in our community and we look forward to supporting their growth.”

“We are so delighted that the Starfire team chose to stay in Champaign and continue to grow their company where it began,” stated City of Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen.

Since graduating from the EnterpriseWorks startup incubator at University of Illinois Research Park in 2009, Starfire Industries has grown from concept research & development to manufacturing plasma sources, neutron generators and high-voltage power supplies for a range of industries. They will soon move from their existing Champaign location, a 14,000 square foot facility in University of Illinois Research Park, to an impressive 194,000 square foot technology center. The 3310 N. Duncan Road expansion will enable greater on-site collaborative partnerships, direct services to end-users under strategic supplier agreements, manufacturing and global distribution.

“Starfire is a stellar example of the deep tech innovation that emerges from scientists at the University of Illinois and that remains in Champaign County for the tech and engineering talent needed to fuel its continued growth,” said Laura Appenzeller, UI Research Park Executive Director. “We are so grateful to have launched their small business at the Research Park and thank the founders for their perseverance, innovation, and dedication to their employees.”

The expansion is scheduled for completion in 2023.

About Starfire Industries, LLC:

Founded by Brian Jurczyk, PhD MBA, and Robert Stubbers, PhD, Starfire Industries LLC is a “deep technology” company focused on nuclear and plasma technologies for demanding applications. Starfire produces the nGen® and Centurion® ultra-compact particle accelerators used for medical therapy, environmental sensing, nuclear security, and non-destructive imaging.  Starfire produces the IMPULSE® and RADION™ pulsed power plasma sources and systems used for nuclear fuel fabrication, superconductor coatings, semiconductor EUV lithography, lightweight electric vehicle assembly, high-temperature aerospace materials, and thin-film deposition and etching applications.

Their industry-changing solutions are designed, manufactured, and delivered from their headquarters in Champaign, Illinois to end-users across six continents and Earth orbit. Learn more at https://www.starfireindustries.com/.

 

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Press:

Growing Champaign tech company moving to larger building, The News-Gazette

Starfire Industries announces expansion in Champaign, WCIA 3 News

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