What ‘Economic Development’ Means to You

Two of the most misunderstood words—when used together—in the English vocabulary are ‘Economic Development’. For some, ‘economic development’ means business retention and expansion; for others, those words mean job retention and creation; and for others yet, that simple, misunderstood phrase means a general strengthening and enhancing of the sustainability of their community.

For the Tri County Economic Development Alliance—a.k.a. TCEDA—economic development means all of the above—as well as a meaning we often do not think about even in the industry: it means helping communities survive, recover and grow following an emergency like the floods that hit the region recently.

TCEDA was formed as a public/private organization—serving all of Jo Daviess and Carroll counties and the western portion of Whiteside County—designed to stimulate our region’s economy. Sometimes our approach is targeted toward an individual business or with a community-specific focus; and other times with a broad, regional approach. 

What this means to the region is TCEDA is able to maximize the strength in numbers of the region’s residents, to identify the shared concerns and opportunities of the region as a whole. For instance, TCEDA has been successful in assembling the region’s banking industry and manufacturing leaders—from three counties—to discuss topics relevant to all of them.

Regional consortiums are key to making economic development work. Regions are substantially more effective in retaining and attracting new investments than a variety of individual community or county economic development organizations whose efforts are often fragmented or duplicative and, in some cases, competing against each other, which usually proves to be counter-productive and confusing to everyone.

Unfortunately, we still have a proliferation of independent, local organizations and consultants struggling to make an impact and earn a living. By some estimates, there are more than 35,000 economic development groups in the U.S. alone. Why do these groups struggle alone? I believe that it boils down to attitudes of parochialism, selfishness, political agendas and empire building—or often apathy—i.e. a “we could never do that here” attitude.

That being said, the communities serviced by TCEDA increasingly have leadership who recognize that there is strength in numbers and that it makes sense for local entities to collaborate and work together under a regional umbrella. After all, commerce and business activity do not recognize city limits, county borders, or even state lines.

Concerning a successful regional economic development model in Indianapolis, Bob Palmer, vice-president of hub operations for Federal Express was quoted as saying, “Any growth that we have as a region is only going to add more business potential for all of us. There’s a huge incentive for us to invest in a regional economic development organization because it increases our base for potential business clients.” He added, “Too many people believe that economic development is a political or governmental function. But the private sector needs to be directly involved in helping grow the region.”

TCEDA’s model of a public/private partnership involves the minority of its funding coming from municipalities, with the majority coming from the private-sector businesses. This helps ensure that economic development remains largely free of political influence and squarely in the hands of the business leaders—where it belongs. Investments from the businesses located throughout the region are needed now, today. Otherwise, our communities will continue to struggle, with politicians tempted to tax its residents to fund ‘economic development’—whatever that means to them.

Randy Prasse, Executive Director
Tri County Economic Development Alliance
Serving Jo Daviess, Carroll and Whiteside Counties

Pot Calling the Kettle Black

The hot topic lately is the budget. Everywhere I go I hear how bad it is and a lot of blame going around. As I sit back and listen I’m constantly reminded of the old saying of, “the pot calling the kettle black”.

Five out of fifty states are running in the black. They are, Alaska, R., Arizona, R., Hawaii, R., Montana, D., and North Dakota, R. It just doesn’t look good, does it? Our state budget and the country’s crisis started long ago. Let’s look back to around eight years ago when Blagojavich came into office. Yes, he has been an embarrassment for Illinois and we are now in a $13 billion dollar and rising deficit. But he wasn’t alone down in Springfield. I found that back on June 7th, 2008, the State GOP Convention in Decatur, Illinois adopted a new platform that included this provision:

“We call on the Governor and the General Assembly to balance the state budget and provide for a responsible capital development program without resorting to the expansion of gambling, which harms Illinois’ families and our state’s business climate and presents costly challenges for both law enforcement and social service agencies.”

HB 2651, massive expansion of gambling, failed but 17 Republicans voted “yes”. It makes sense if you receive $500 from Alton Gaming Company, $2,250 from Arlington International Racecourse, $500 from Casino Queen. Then there was call for subsidized horse racing through riverboat casinos. What hurts me the most is the fact that I used to groom horses for a living and know more about the horse industry than people realize. I haven’t had a Chicago 606 zip code all of my life.

I’m all for people getting paid for the work and jobs that they do. It is quite common for many people to have a career for many years, retire, collect their pension, then go out, find some other work and collect another salary and possibly another pension. Power to the people I say! But let’s not get greedy here and do remember that Illinois isn’t by any means unique in this mess. For example, I don’t understand why, back in 2005, anyone voted against SB0027 which would have limited end-of-career salary hikes for government school teachers and other government employees to 6% instead of the usual 20%. That would have reduced tax payers contribution to state retirement funds by over $1.1 billion yearly.

As much as I hear the grumblings of anti Chicago sentiment, a Republican vote allowed Chicago Mayor Richard Daley to double the telephone tax. SB0837 gave Daley the ability to raise the tax from $1.25 to $2.50 per month for all customers back in 2007. Legislators voted to receive a 16 to 22% pay cut but not one Republican voted for it.

The list goes on and on but let’s change the channel and move forward. Governor Quinn has had to make some really tough choices in cuts to human services, education, public health, all in the millions. Since he has been in office he has made improvements. He saved the Ford plant from moving out and created 1200 new jobs.

Democrats are responsible for new laws regulating predatory lending, utility price hikes and nursing home reform to name a few. This month Quinn was able to get us $415 million for education. And let’s not forget that the Democrats were not afraid to call out one their own, Rod Blagojavich, D.

No politician should ever be allowed to serve private interest, over public interest, for self interest.

Victoria F. Grizzoffi
Democratic Candidate for State Representative, 89th District

Sherrod to get job back – Will we get our stolen money back?

It was announced today (Aug. 21) that former U.S. official Shirley Sherrod is meeting with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack this Tuesday to discuss a new job offer. Sherrod was forced to resign last month after a conservative blogger posted excerpts from a March speech depicting her as racist. The NAACP and others, including the USDA, condemned the remarks before grasping the full context of the story, which was meant as a lesson in overcoming racism. The White House and the NAACP have since apologized and so Vilsack is offering her a new position.

Who’s Shirley Sherrod? Who was the conservative blogger? Why is anyone apologizing to her? As usual, when faced with another scandal in the Obama administration, the major media don’t ask, much less answer such questions. It’s too embarrassing. So let’s do their work for them and see whether Ms. Sherrod deserves the promotion she’s sure to get.

Sherrod was an obscure black female official in at the “Rural Development Leadership Network” in 1997 before she got famous for screaming “racism.”

The blogger was Andrew Breitbart from the Big Government website. The media hate him because he did what they should have done for years: expose the corruption and “hooker” scandal within ACORN, the largest radical group in America.

Here’s what happened. In 1997, 400 African-American farmers sued the U. S. Department of Agriculture, claiming they had been unfairly denied USDA loans due to racial discrimination during the period 1983 to 1997. Nothing wrong there. They were being treated unfairly. The case was entitled “ Pigford v. Glickman.” In 1999, the black farmers won. The government agreed to pay each of them as much as $50,000 to settle their claims.

But last February, the USDA released more funds to “ Pigford.” $1.25 billion to be exact. Why? Because the original number of plaintiffs – 400 black farmers – had swollen to a total of 86,000 black farmers.

There was only one problem. America doesn’t have 86,000 black farmers. According to accurate and totally verified census data, the total number is only 39,697. How did 39,697 explode into 86,000 claims and $50,000 explode into $1.25 billion? Where did those 46,303 unknown black farmers come from? Where are they now?

To answer those questions, you have to ask the woman who not only spearheaded this case but whose family received the highest single payout (approximately $13 million.)

Guess who she is? Right! Shirley Sherrod. More interesting still, Sherrod fingered the person who aided and abetted her in this race fraud.

The original judgment of “Pigford v. Glickman” became a class action suit and applied only to a total of 16,000 black farmers. But in 2008, a junior U.S. Senator got a law passed to reopen the case and allow more black farmers (including 46,000 non-existent ones) to sue for funds. The Senator was Barack Obama.

In other words, American taxpayers, including white farmers, were forced to pick up the $1.25 billion tab to settle a race claim in the midst of a worldwide depression. Will we get a refund before or after Sherrod gets another job? Why not ask your Senators and Representatives?

Richard O’Connor
Pearl City, IL

Capitol Report

By Jim Sacia, State Representative 89th District

You have to admire entrepreneurship and ingenuity. We all talk about jobs and their availability, but seldom do we comment on those small businesses that, on little more than a dream, started a successful operation.

You don’t have to look much further than the small town of Seward, Illinois, to find one of the finest examples. Eickman’s Processing Company is a three generation livestock processing facility that has proven hard work and family values pay off. Merlyn Eickman started the business many years ago and is still around with advice and counsel. Mike, his son, is the driving force today and Mike’s son Tom is actively involved in all aspects of a great family endeavor.

Having the privilege of being one of the auctioneers at the State Fair “Governor’s Sale of Champions” again this year on August 17th, I wasn’t even a little surprised to see the grand champion bacon, the grand champion ham and the grand champion summer sausage we sold all came from – you guessed it – Eickman’s Processing Company. Merlyn, his lovely wife Marilyn, Mike and Tom were in the audience beaming with pride as the great radio announcer Orion Samuelson acknowledged them as outstanding exhibitors who this year went home with three “grands”. That truly is an amazing accomplishment.

I have more good news from the district: our early morning “gas station gathering” at Harry Bowen’s BP station in Orangeville was a tremendous success with more than sixty in attendance, some coming and going throughout the morning. It was a great opportunity for me to hear your thoughts and concerns.

Senator Bivins and I, with help from Lisa Madigan’s Office, sponsored a Financial Safety Seminar at Lincoln Mall. Mike Hughes, the downstate coordinator for the Attorney General’s Office did his usual exceptional job as did our Chief of Police Jerry Whitmore. We expected about fifty participants and three times that many showed up, thanks to Kelly Hillan at the Senior Center getting the word out. Tim and I will continue to sponsor these well-received programs.

I just received information from the Partnership for Prescription Assistance asking me to help get the word out on prescription assistance available to those struggling financially. I invite you to go to www.pparx.org or call 888-4PPA NOW (that’s .) You can also call my office for further assistance.