PEORIA -- Below is a news release from the TriCounty Regional Planning Commission about future plans for economic development, and a list of the movers and shakers who have agreed to work for it.
My reaction: apparently a 'palace coup '( in the words of the PJS business reporter Steve Tarter) took place a few days ago to generate this new organization. Fascinating. Will it work? Dunno. At least they're using the Illinois Open Meetings Act, a plus. Check out my comments on this PJS story on the topic.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Terry Kohlbuss, Executive Director of TCRPC at 673-9330
Mapping Tomorrow’s Economic Development
PEORIA – (August 3, 2012) What’s different with this regional economic plan?
The first Regional Strategy Policy Steering Committee meeting is set for 8 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 9 at the Workforce Network, 211 Fulton St., Suite 300. The meeting is open to the public. All meetings of this committee will operate under parameters of the Illinois Open Meetings Act.
During the meeting, expected to last about 90 minutes, participants will begin by understanding their role in governing and driving the economic development initiatives in the four-county region that includes Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford and Mason counties. They will learn about asset-based Community Economic Development (CED) plans. The group will determine the priorities, assign action teams, work plan/timeline and accountabilities for results. Media interviews / availability will be granted after the meeting.
“This is a blue ribbon panel that will lead us on this economic development journey,” said Regional Strategy Policy Steering Committee Chairman Jim Baumgartner. “These leaders represent public and private sector interests in four counties within the Economic Development District and are committed to drafting a plan that includes meaningful involvement, disciplined processes, clear strategies and consistent measurement.”
The first Strategy phase, set to last 12-14 months, will evaluate and prioritize how the region approaches economic development. The “Foundation Milestone” – one of four major milestones throughout the process – will be completed by Oct. 1. It will identify the region’s assets and develop measurable county-level and regional-level strategies and an action plan.
The planning effort officially launched on July 26th with a meeting attended by more than 200 leaders from business, community, government and not-for-profits.
The regional economic development plan is a grass-roots initiative. Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (TCRPC) is funding ViTAL Economy, a Maryland-based consulting firm, to organize the regional economic development plan. The Regional Strategy Steering Committee, which will lead the process, consists of 28 area individuals and is being led by Jim Baumgartner, Caterpillar Inc.’s Director of Corporate Public Affairs. Working Groups also are being created to oversee implementation.
Regional Strategy Policy Steering Committee
Chairman: Jim Baumgartner – Caterpillar, Inc.
Debbie Simon- President and CEO Methodist Medical Center of IL
Rita Kress – CEO Kress Corporation
Don Welch – CEO Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
Chuck Weaver – Entrepreneur/ Peoria City Council
Eric Turner – Peoria City Council
Jim Montelongo – CEO Engineering People/ Former Peoria City Council
Diana Hall – President/ Owner Bard Optical
Mike Phelan – Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, Peoria County Board, Township
Patrick Urich – Peoria City Administrator
Steve Morris – Peoria County Board/ small business
Dan Daly –President Busey Bank
Mike Everett – West Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades
Russ Crawford – Tri-County Regional Planning Commission/ Tazewell County Board
Dean Grimm – Tri-County Regional Planning Commission/ Tazewell County Board
Norm Durflinger – Morton Mayor/ retired public educator
Doug Parsons – CEO Excel Foundry
Gordon Honegger – CEO Morton Community Bank
John Erwin – President Illinois Central College
Larry Whitaker – Chairman, TCRPC/ Woodford County Board
Mike Hinrichsen – Tri-County Regional Planning Commission/ Woodford County Board
Bob Parsons – CEO Parsons Engineering
James Griffin – Mason County Board Chairman
Jehan Gordon, State Representative 92nd District
Mike Unes, State Representative 91st District
Colleen Callahan – U.S. Department of Agriculture
Bola Delano – Illinois Department of Transportation
Don Forrest – Workforce Development Board President
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