NCI Annual Meeting Shows Continuing Marketing Results
As reported by Tom Collins, New Tribune.
Progress continues in the Regional Marketing effort by North Central Illinois Economic Development Corporation, as presented to investors at the Annual Meeting on June 13.
Ivan Baker, president, told investors of the Economic Development Corporation of North Central Illinois that the NCI scored its third “site visit” earlier that day. Baker wouldn’t disclose many details but did say the region was “a major finalist” for an international project and the company would render a decision soon.
“We all want that announcement, believe me,” said Baker, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation.
Baker further noted the group is growing ever closer to landing the big fish. Inquiries have soared from eight to 10 annually to eight-10 leads per month.
Meanwhile, the Illinois Valley area is getting noticed among the crowded field of regions looking for investment.
NCI is ranked among the top 40 “micropolitan areas” in the United States — that is, regions without a city populated by 50,000 or more — and with demographics that continue to improve.
The region’s unemployment rate has shrunk from 6.3 percent three years ago to 4.3 percent this year, while the poverty rate has shrunk slightly from 13 percent to 12.6 percent. And while the population has shown a small increase (from 152,516 to 153,639), Baker said a key goal is halt the area’s “brain drain” and keep college-educated workers in the area.
Baker further noted Illinois remains competitive among the states, partly because right-to-work legislation isn’t on companies’ radar and Springfield recently passed a budget.
“Yes, we do have a budget,” state Rep. Jerry Long (R-Streator) said unenthusiastically. “I’ll leave it there.”
Long added later, “We’re still struggling, there’s no doubt about that.”
Baker begged off disclosing anything about the prospect brought in for a site visit; but others expressed enthusiasm that the past 18 months’ work soon will pay off.
“I think we’ve made incredible progress,” said Scott Stavrakas, a member of NCI’s board of directors. “It’s just something that takes time.
“The big win is around the corner.”