| Growth Dimensions Organization
C. Mark Williams
Executive Director
Office Manager
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News Uses Entreprenuer Development Center
Norb Ziemer
Center Director
Growth Dimensions 200 S. State Street
Belvidere IL, 61008
Office: 815-547-4252
Fax: 866-353-2772
www.growthdimensions.org |
Upcoming Meetings & Events
Executive Committee
Board Meeting
May 26th
7:30 a.m.
Business Development
May 19th
7:30 a.m.
Tollway Station Point
TBA
7:30 a.m.
Riverfront Development
April 29th
7:00 a.m.
*Growth Dimensions
Annual Reception
April 28th
6:00 p.m. at
Community Building Complex of Boone County
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Growth Dimensions'
Platinum Membership
Please click here for more information on becoming a member of the Growth Dimensions organization! | |
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| BUSINESS & INDUSTRY UPDATES |
 | Belvidere Begins to Plan for Development of Amtrak Station
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Belvidere leaders begin to plan for Amtrak making a stop in the City of Murals.
At a campaign stop in Rockford on March 30, 2010 Governor Quinn announced that the Amtrak route decision had been changed in favor of going through Belvidere and providing a stop. The Governor had previously announced that $60 million would be allocated from the Illinois Capital Program for the rail infrastructure upgrades along the route from Chicago to Dubuque. Transportation, political and economic development leaders throughout the Rock River Valley say this was welcome news for the region and was made possible through the bipartisan support of area elected officials in the General Assembly. The grass roots campaign of the Blackhawk Express, led by the Rockford and Belvidere Chambers of Commerce, also provided needed support for the route decision. Dave Taylor, chairman of the Northern Illinois Commuter Transportation Initiative believes the route through Belvidere will have a significant impact on the economic state of the Boone County area.
Amtrak will bring visitors from both the east and the west and those people are likely to spend on goods and services in Belvidere and Boone County," said Taylor. "By having more public transportation we become a more desirable location to attract new business. These factors all contribute to a more vibrant business climate, which increases employment and builds on the tax base, which in turn will boost our overall economy."
Mark Williams, executive director of Growth Dimensions believes that Amtrak's presence will open the door for additional transportation options that would have a positive impact on the future of the economic well-being in the region.
"Amtrak will re-introduce the opportunity for commuter rail on the same line in the future," said Williams. " This will create long-term economic development gains through planning and development.
The Governor has not released the bonding authority to raise the needed $60 million capital, but bond proceeds are expected to be available later in 2010. With a 2-year construction timeframe for the track work, rail signaling systems and grade crossing protection projects the potential initiation of Amtrak revenue service is late in 2012. The dollars to fund the rail station development will have to come from local sources.
The City of Belvidere and the City of Rockford are preparing proposal documents and are moving to secure the necessary design services quickly. Each of the stations will have a separate design schedule and may have a different design team. Over the next month, the Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning (RMAP) Policy Committee will be reviewing funding opportunities available for the local commitment.
"It has been said a well-planned train station is one of the best investments a community can make as it seeks to expand its appeal for greater tourism and business opportunities," stated Belvidere Mayor and Chairman of the RMAP policy committee, Fred Brereton. "Whether used by tourists or local residents, well-planned train stations have proven to be fertile economic ground."
The City of Belvidere will look to hire an architect to help develop a scope of work and an estimate from which funding sources and amounts can be determined.
The Rockford City Council approved a purchase of 5 acres of land from the Canadian National Railroad, which includes the old Illinois Central train station and is where the new downtown train station can be constructed. The City of Rockford now has control of all of the land that they will need for the station site work, parking and landscaping of the downtown site.
Rockford officials are also looking to develop a train station near Alpine Road. The east-side land is held by private owners and is not currently within the corporate limits of the City. The City and the land owner are working on an annexation agreement that would allow a parcel to be provided for the train station site. Preliminary planning work for the stations, mostly from the NICTI Project Management Team, has provided basic cost estimates for station design elements, such as site work, parking, platform, canopy and buildings. The Illinois Department of Transportation and Amtrak will be providing design guidelines that each local design team will use to develop final plans and specifications. More information may be obtained from the NICTI website (www.nicti.net) or from the RMAP website (www.rmapil.org). Questions should be directed to Steve Ernst, RMAP Executive Director, at 815-964-RMAP. |
| Belvidere-Boone County Enterprise Zone Job Creation & Investment Updates
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Growth Dimensions administers the Belvidere-Boone County Enterprise Zone, which provides financial incentives for the development and expansion of commercial and industrial facilities. This past year, thirty-four commercial and six industrial projects were started or are under construction that will result in the creation of 112 jobs and will generate over $6 million of capital investments in the Belvidere-Boone County Enterprise Zone.
Industrial Related Investments includes:
BioVantage Fuels LLC, General Mills Incorporated, Acument Global Technologies, Chrysler Group LLC, Versacold Logistics Services, and Corrugated Metals/IDT. Commercial related investments include:
DareCloud Development, T6 Wireless, Boone County Historical Society, Glamour Nails, Discover Me Travel, Stop-N-Go, Donn Gustafson, Salvation Army, La Guadalupa, Stylehouse Furniture, Road Ranger, All My Stitches, Community Building Complex, Sala de Bellesa Las Rosas, Pasqual Avila, Ed Marx, Belvidere Park District, All Paws Pet Wash, District 2 Fire Department, Boone County Council on Aging, State Street Auto Rebuilders, Jack Wolf, Lori's Little Critters, Great Clips, PDR Enterprises, Great Kitchens, Poon & Le LLC, O&K Tax Service, Kennitt's Ale House, Kenco Repair Inc., Great Kitchens, C.L. Quick Stop, Debbie Carlson, and Mark Mitchell.
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| Physical Therapy Institute Adds Clinic in Countryside Square |
Poplar Grove Physical Therapy will soon be locating to Countryside Square.
The therapy clinic is one of 6 regional locations and the second in Boone County. The other locations include Belvidere, Marengo, Byron and Roscoe. Build-out on the Poplar Grove facility is currently underway and is expected to be complete in June 2010.
"We decided to expand into the Poplar Grove area due to the success of the Belvidere office, and the amount of patients we receive from this area," state Jon Link, President of the Orthopedic and Sports Therapy Institute. "As the Poplar Grove, Caledonia and Candlewick communities continue to expand, it became readily apparent they are in need of their own physical therapy clinic."
These clinics are part of the Orthopedic and Sports Therapy Institute and specialize in treating orthopedic, sports, and industrial rehabilitation.
The latest addition in Poplar Grove operates within 3,750 square feet in the Countryside Square Mall. Countryside Square was developed in 2005 and all of the mall's 17 units are currently occupied.
For more information on the Orthopedic and Sports Therapy institutions and the services they offer, please visit www.ostipt.com |
| Swedish American Medical Center Celebrates 1st Anniversay in Belvidere |
SwedishAmerican Medical Center/Belvidere is celebrating its first anniversary. During the past year, the Emergency Department has seen up to 50 patients a day during the height of this past flu season and the number continues to grow.
SwedishAmerican Medical Center/Belvidere administrator, Dawna Menke, says, "SwedishAmerican Medical Center/Belvidere is a prime example of how we are committed to bringing a modern facility and healthcare services to patients and families in the Boone County area. The success of the Center shows that the community is pleased with the services they are receiving. Over the last year, we've either met or exceeded goals that we set for the center, including our physical therapy, lab, sleep disorder services, imaging, (X-Ray, CT and Ultrasound), and emergency room visits."
Dr. Pam Wetzel, Director of Medical Affairs for SAMCB, said "patients are particularly pleased with the convenient access to emergency, diagnostic and medical imaging services. We are working to further improve the patient and family experience by extending our level of service in targeted areas. For example, we have expanded emergency room staffing during the busiest times to include a third RN and a second clerk."
"SAMCB plans to continue seeking opportunities to bring more services to families of Belvidere and eastern Boone County," adds Menke. "Since opening we have added digital mammography and infusion services. For instance, for the convenience of cancer patients in Boone County, we offer a chemotherapy suite so that treatments can be administered closer to home. By pursuing expanded outpatient health services at the Medical Center, we support our mission of excellence in healthcare, compassionate service and caring for our community," concludes Menke.
*Information Provided By Swedish American Health System |
| MEMBER & ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT UPDATES |
| Blackhawk Bank Becomes Gold Member | |
 Growth Dimensions is pleased to announce that Blackhawk Bank is now a Gold Member in the organization.
David Adkins, Blackhawk's Senior Vice President of Consumer Banking will represent the bank on Growth Dimensions Board of Directors. Blackhawk and Growth Dimensions share a common vision of promoting the economic advantages that the region offers to entrepreneurs seeking affordable sites, availability of skilled workers and a major distribution infrastructure ready. Blackhawk understands and supports the unique needs of industry; their dedicated outreach and advice to manufacturers in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin has helped their clients succeed amid the economic challenges of recent years. Growth Dimensions recognizes the value Blackhawk Bank brings to Belvidere and the entire Boone County community, and looks forward to their expertise and participation in the organization.
Founded in 1881 in Beloit, WI, Blackhawk Bank first made its way to Belvidere in 1998. The bank is located at 2141 N. State Street; in 2003, the bank opened an additional Boone County location in Capron.
Blackhawk Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Blackhawk Bancorp, Inc. employs 150 people and is the second largest bank in Beloit, Wisconsin and second in all of Boone County, Illinois. Banking centers are located in Beloit, Roscoe, Machesney Park, Rockford, Belvidere and Capron. |
| Growth Dimensions Annual Spring Reception |
The Growth Dimensions Annual Spring Reception is set to take place Wednesday, April 28th at the Community Building Complex of Boone County, 111 W. First St., Belvidere.
The event begins at 6:00 p.m. with hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, followed by a 7:00 p.m. program featuring economic development updates of the Belvidere-Boone County area. Music is being provided by the Rockford Symphony Orchestra Youth String Quartet.
For further information, please call Donna at 815-547-4252. |
| BIO 2010 to be Held May 4-7 in Chicago |
BIO 2010 will be held at McCormick Place in Chicago May 4-7. This is the Biotechnology Industry Organization show. In 2009, the trade show and conference attracted nearly 15 000 attendees from 58 countries.
The show targets drug discovery and development, life sciences, devices and predictive diagnostics, technology transfer in food and agriculture, industrial biotechnology and many other applications. IDC'S Cooperative Marketing Committee is considering this show as one of the events in its lineup of 2010 joint member marketing initiatives. The booth will be part of the Illinois Pavilion, being organized by the Illinois Biotechnology Organization with the support of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Mark Williams of Growth Dimensions and James Alexander of the St. Louis RCGA are coordinating the Illinois Development Council's participation with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
The industrial biotechnology area includes biomass, biobased products, energy platforms and manufacturing processes. This is an expanded area of focus since it further strengthens the Midwest's position in the Biotech arena.
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| Belvidere Chamber Fundraiser to Help Students in Boone County School Districts |
 The Belvidere Area Chamber of Commerce is holding a Wine and Beer Tasting fundraising event to help benefit disadvantaged elementary school students in Belvidere District 100 and North Boone District 200.
The event is taking place Thursday, May 20th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Apollo Activity Center, 104 N. State Street in Belvidere. The cost is $25 per person or $45 per couple.
One hundred percent of the proceeds from the event will provide backpacks and school supplies to the students.
Please call the Belvidere Chamber at 815-544-4357 to make your reservation.
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| ILLINOIS MANUFACTURING EXTENSION CENTER NEWS | | IMEC Assists Energy Dynamics with Certification Process | |
 company
· Energy Dynamics, Inc. - Machesney Park, Illinois
· www.energy-dynamics-inc.com
· 20+ employees
· Precision machining
Situation
With a goal to double its revenues in five years, Energy Dynamics was focused on diversifying its customer base, specifically into the aerospace industry. The company had ISO 9001:2000 certification and a strong reputation for quality built over nearly 30 years in business, but wanted to pursue AS9100 certification-a comprehensive quality system for the aircraft, space and defense industries-to acquire an edge in the competitive aerospace market. Company leaders were stretched thin dealing with a growing business and needed support to work through the complex certification process. imec solution Energy Dynamics and IMEC worked together to develop a plan for achieving AS9100 certification, identify goals for the process and map out a timeframe for implementation. Company leaders managed the work internally with the IMEC consultant reviewing progress, serving as a sounding board to prepare the company for the certification audit and working on-site as needed to keep the project on track. Energy Dynamics successfully completed its AS9100 audit in February 2010. results · Successful AS9100 certification audit · Immediate credibility with customers in a new industry · Workforce united around a common goal "I've never been a big fan of consultants, but IMEC is different. Their business model is geared toward small and mid-sized businesses. Their people are seasoned professionals who are proud of what they know and what they do, but they don't try to show you how smart they are. They check their egos at the door and work with you to get results." - Patrick Bye, President IMEC and our affiliated partners have the resources companies need to prepare for recovery and maximize their growth. For information and assistance, contact IMEC at info@imec.org or call our toll-free number 888.806.4632.
For more information on IMEC, please visit www.imec.org.
*Information Provided by IMEC |
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Growth Dimensions is a 501 C (6) public-private corporation for economic development founded in 1979. Growth Dimensions coordinates and manages the strategic initiative projects that are identified in the Belvidere-Boone County Economic Development Strategic Plan. The organization maintains close contact with the city, village, and county officials and development staff regarding development codes and standards. Growth Dimensions is also the lead liaison for manufacturing companies in Boone County, regarding public sector issues and the delivery of economic development services.
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