Published: May 14, 2008 10:03 am            

New JCDC board in place

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — The Jefferson County Development Corporation is going into its second year with a new board, new goals, new committees and new partnerships, according to executive director Mary Ellen Bechtel.

“The best thing we can do is when we find things that aren’t as effective or as efficient as they could be, we need to adapt,” Bechtel said. “We’re working to transition from our current committees to new committees with specific goals.”

The JCDC recently held its annual meeting, the second since the public/private corporation to encourage retention and economic development in the area was created on May 1, 2006. The JCDC started after the city commissioned a study by Prager Consulting Group in 2005 to identify the best way to promote development. The study found a combination of industry, economic development, non-profit organizations, communications and government representatives working together on a board would be the best way to attract development. The city disbanded its economic development board and the JCDC was created.

The executive board for 2008-09 will be Leo Childers as president; Dennis McEnaney as vice president; Rex Cusumano as secretary and Hunt Bonan as treasurer. Six members accepted second terms on the board representing specific sectors of the community: Roger Tedrick, Banking/Finance/Insurance; Mary Burgan, entrepreneur; Leo Childers, Healthcare; Hank Eisenga, Manufacturing/Distribution; Dorothy Wood, Real Estate; and Dr. Dan Hoffman, High School/Elementary Schools. Each of the board members will serve for three years. Bob Dennis, publisher of the Mt. Vernon Register-News, will fill the Communications seat on the board through April 2010.

Committees were aligned with the new goals of the organization, Bechtel said. The eight goals identified, in order of priority are assisting local business and industry with their workforce needs; expanding retention and expansion efforts; reaching $150,000 in private sector funding; formalizing the portfolio of building and sites available for industry; improving JCDC public relations; achieving Ameren’s Partners in Development advanced level designation; and supporting the city’s comprehensive plan.

The retention and expansion committee is charged with developing and implementing a retention and expansion program; identifying and helping solve problems and issues facing existing business; and coordinating and supporting Connect SI and Ameren eSynchronist retention survey.

The workforce development committee has been charged with assisting local business and industry with workforce needs by continuing to assess the needs of local business, coordinate business and education to help solve workforce needs and provide leadership training as needed.

The partner development committee has been charged with attaining the goal of $150,000 in private sector funding by developing and implanting a plan and coordinate and plan the quarterly partner’s meetings.

The site development committee is to identify and evaluate sites for industrial and distribution development. They are to identify three 20 acre, 50 acre and 100 acre sites for future projects and update the LOIS system for each site so developers know they are available. The industrial/commercial buildings committee is to identify and promote buildings for industrial and commercial growth by developing guidelines and identifying suitable buildings for growth, updating the data on LOIS including pictures and formalize quick start plans for 50,000, 100,000 and 400,000 square foot buildings. The retail prospect development committee is to develop a new plan that includes listing buildings, sites and other sources for retail development, identify target retail developers and develop a marketing strategy to encourage retail growth.

The industrial prospect development committee is to implement a new industrial prospect development plan by listing buildings, sites and other resources such as the available workforce and incentives for the area, and to develop a marketing strategy.

The JCDC public relations committee is to educate and inform the public about the purpose and activities of the JCDC. It is to develop a plan to communicate with the public, create an annual report to present to the City Council and JCDC partners and identify a strategy to improve relationships with key allies.

        

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