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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 7/10/2007 - Economic Development Commission Economic Development Commission Regular Meeting �, McHenry Municipal Center Tuesd�y, July 10, 2007 Chairman Richard Wimmer called the 7uly 10, 2007, meeting of the McHenry Economic Development Commission to order at 12:35 PM. Present at roll call were Bill Bolger, Kit Carstens, David Gelwicks, Kathleen Kunzer, Susan Low, Doug Maxeiner, Jack Minero (arrived at 12:42 p.m.), Joseph Napolitano, Ned Neumann, Dick Paegelow, and Richard Wimmer. Absent: Kay Bates (excused), Kathy Marinangel. Others present: Christopher Manheim, McHenry County Economic Development Corporation. A�praval of Minutes Motion by Maxeiner, seconded by Gelwicks, to approve the minutes of the March 13, 2007 regularly scheduled meeting as presented. All Ayes, motion carried. Presentation: McHe County Economic Development Corporation, Christopher Manheim, CEcD Chairman�mmer welcomed Christopher Manheim and invited him to make his presentation to the Commission. Mr. Manheim stated the MCEDC is attempting to get back to the basics: retention and attracting new business to the area. He noted McHenry County tends to focus more on manufacturing while municipalities tend to focus on retail businesses. MCEDC is currently updating its website. �" Mr. Manheim stated the dues structure for membership is based upon the number of employees of the business. McHenry County tends to attract mostly smaller companies as opposed to the norm 12-15 years aga when larger corporations were being sought. Mr. Manheim stated there are approximately 9,000 employers in McHenry County who employee a workforce of approximately 100,000. Mr. Manheim pointed out several local firms he was currently working with who were in the process of expanding their local operations. He noted this would ultimately provide more employment opportunities for County residents. Mr. Manheim explained the benefits of the Business Accelerator of Innovation & Collaboration (BAIC) Program. The focus of the MCEDC is on issues and concems which can be controlled rather than matters which are not under the purview of the MCEDC or local govemment. He noted the transportation issues and concerns are largely not controllable by the County. The good rail system should be more utilized, particularly in light of increased trucking costs largely due to higher fuel prices. Mr. Manheim invited questions and/or comments from the Commission. Neumann asked if Mr. Manheim had any ideas to stimulate activity of the local EDC. He noted the McHenry EDC is in the process of rebuilding and asked for suggestions to help the Commission to focus. Mr. Ma.nheim suggested the EDC select one or two projects per year and � work on them. Fie noted Marengo, Woodstock and Harvard have strong EDC's at this time. The remainder of the EDC's in the County are struggling. Econoauc Development Commission July 10,2007 Page 2 Mr. Manheim noted the MCEDC is not in competition with local organizations. Maxeiner noted �, the County EDC and local EDC actually complement each other. Mr. Manheim stated the County EDC is more regionally focused while local EDC's are community-oriented. Bolger inquired if the MCEDC could assist in securing a West McHenry Bypass. Mr. Manheim stated this is a transportation issue that needs resolution. The County is currently focusing on the Route 62/31 intersection. Once that matter is addressed the Bypass could move to the front burner. However, funding from IDOT is not a strong possibility at this time. Carstens expressed concern that State budget issues and the fact that no progress is being made during recent discussions, could ultimately cause problems for businesses in the state. It is possible that �vhen the budget is approved it would have a powerful negative impact on businesses in the State. That would be to the detriment of recruiting new businesses to the community or even retaining those which are already here. On behalf of the Commission, Chairman Wimmer thanked Mr. Manheim for his presentation. Update: Economic Development Plan Napolitano provided an overview of the written document which was distributed to the commissioners. H� noted the draft Plan is a living document which needs to be inspected, reviewed and modified by the commissioners. He stressed that in order for the document to work he needs input from the commissioners. The Plan provides background information on the community and includes goals and objectives as well as an action plan to achieve them. `'" Neumann inquired if the City planned to expand the Community Development Department in order to achieve the goals and objectives of the Plan. Napolitano responded the City's recent restructuring points to the Council's intent to focus on growth and development of the community. However, the role of the EDC is to function as hands-on volunteers who can implement some of the action plan items needed to achieve the goals and objectives. One example would be the goal of visiting at least ten businesses per month in order to assure their retention and/or needs. EDC members could volunteer to visit the businesses. Chairman Wimmer suggested the EDC could be an extension of what the City is doing. EDC members could volunteer time to do what the City needs help in accomplishing. Napolitano requested the members bring their comments, concerns and ideas regarding the draft Plan to the next meeting. Mayor Low and members of the Commission commended Napolitano for his efforts in creating the Economic Development Plan. It was noted he did a great job recapping the concerns and issues expressed at the Board Retreat. Maxeiner encouraged the commissioners to look at the Plan, review it, and provide comments at the ne� meeting. He noted the document was not meant to be looked at and filed away. The City needs feedback to make the Plan work. �-- Napolitano noted he had difficulty on such goals as increasing tourism and developing a vibrant downtown. He requested the commissioners create objectives to achieve those goals. Economic Developme�n Commission July 10,2007 Page 3 Citv Re.port � The City Report was deferred in light of the work accomplished in creating the draft Economic Development Plan. Other Business There was no Other Business. Adjournment Motion by Low, seconded by Minero, to adjourn the meeting. All ayes, motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 1:28 p.m. Respectfully submitted, � Kat leen Kunzer, Recording Secret � L..