(Oglesby) – Success and Change is happening with the North Central Illinois Economic Development Corporation (NCI) according to a report at the organization’s annual meeting on June 12.
“Everything we do Is focused on the Future, “ said Chairman Steve Aubry. Only NCI is Making the Changes necessary to insure that our Graduates and Families can stay Here….and Have a Future with Good Paying Jobs.”
NCI is the Only organization in the region Aggressively Marketing Bureau, LaSalle and Putnam Counties for New Jobs, New Investment, and New Tax Revenue. Thanks to effective NCI Marketing, industrial inquiries have increased from about 8 a year…to 6 or 8 a MONTH…..a 400 percent increase. More than 80 percent of 226 NCI inquiries are a result of NEW direct interaction with Brokers and Consultants, and not sitting back and waiting for DCEO to send a few leads a year.
Currently, NCI is working 26 ACTIVE industrial projects in the pipeline that are reviewing sites in our region. Those 26 projects represent $615 million new Capital Investment, over 1,900 new jobs, hundreds of new construction jobs, and over $14 million in New Annual Tax Revenue.
The Annual Report to Investors pointed out:
- Financial support from over 200 private and public sector board members and executives
- Marketing success with more than 400 percent Increase in Industrial Leads
- More site visits and projects from brokers, consultants, and developers
- Region being considered for More New Projects than Ever….and being a finalist for projects from Ireland and China
- An International award-winning Website that is the region’s global front door for marketing
- A strong audited financial statement
Ivan Baker, who has been president of the Regional Marketing Organization since its inception 3 year ago, is leaving NCI in July to accept a new private-sector Consulting position with Crowe LLP in Chicago. “Our executive search has begun,” said Aubry, “and the board is committed to maintaining a full-time successful marketing organization that our region deserves. This is not a part-time or short-term activity.”
More great news was reported at the Annual Meeting. Over the past year, 106 new good-paying manufacturing jobs were created in the region, and the unemployment rate reduced to 5.5 percent. The region is justly proud of new investments by manufacturing companies like ADM, Viakable, Vactor, and Pilkington. Household incomes and Home Market Values have also increased. During the meeting, Baker pointed out continuing concerns tied to population loss, reduced labor force numbers, and the loss of jobs in the retail and service sectors.
Almost 6 years ago…..regional leaders got together realizing that the Status Quo was not working. Debb Ladgenski, NCI board member and board member of IVAC, pointed out that the IVAC Chamber was one of the first groups to realize the critical need for a New Full-Time Regional Marketing Organization. “IVAC themselves knew they could not do it. No other area organization can do what NCI is doing,” she said.
Baker referred to a comment from Jerry Szatan, one of the top Site Selection Consultants in the nation. Szatan said, “The first goal of a regional marketing effort (like NCI) is to fill the pipeline with interest. NCI is achieving success in generating inquiries.”
“There will always be naysayers and people that have unrealistic expectations,” said Chairman Aubry. “We are in a very competitive world, and we will not go back to the ways of the past that did not work. NCI marketing is needed now more than ever.”
“We know that the leaders want to serve the 150,000 citizens of our region,” said Baker. “NCI has the Proven Success and Momentum meeting the demands of Prospects with Integrity, Professionalism, and Optimism. I am confident that NCI will continue to be the Honest Go-To Source for information to serve industrial prospects.”