Business Expansion/Visitation Program

DCEDC is conducting a Business Retention/Expansion Visitation Program with the help of ComEd and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) designed to support local industry and to improve the business environment throughout the county.  Our goal is to learn what it will take to retain, nurture and expand DeKalb County businesses.  The program involves visits to local firms, where we will conduct interviews to identify concerns, needs and opportunities.  A proven survey tool will be used to organize information gathered.  Our specific objectives are to:

1. Learn about the strengths and weaknesses of the local business environment.
2. Identify and react to business expansion opportunities and retention threats.
3. Communicate available business development resources.
4. Enhance communication between businesses and local leaders.

All of the information shared, is considered strictly confidential.  Visits will begin in June and conclude in August/September.  It is our hope that we will have 60 appointments secured with at least 50 completed surveys.  If you are interested in helping DCEDC or participating, please contact us at 815-895-2711, or by email to:  borek@dcedc.org or hoyle@dcedc.org

Why DeKalb County?

The competitive advantages of DeKalb County are recognized by industry. During the past three years, 19 industrial firms relocated to, or expanded in DeKalb County. In 2010, the county accounted for 28% of all industrial development that occurred in the Chicago Metro Area, while representing only 1% of the region’s population.To learn why you should invest in DeKalb County Click Here.

DCEDC Initiatives

Manufacturing and Industry Employers: Take Advantage of Workforce Training and Career Development Programs

Wanted: Manufacturers to Guide/Benefit from Skills Training – Accelerated training in Welding, Safety, CNC, Logistics and Mechatronics (Equipment Service and Repair) will being provided to 133 workforce candidates in DeKalb and surrounding counties.

Safety/Sustainability Training and Consulting Services are available free-of-charge to companies with 100 or fewer employees.

Industrial Career Development – The DeKalb Ogle County Industrial Workforce Consortium’s Industrial Workforce Coordination Pilot Program is off to a great start.

Click Here to learn more about these opportunities to enhance your workforce.

Contributor Benefits

• Reduced rates to attend DCEDC Events

• Sponsor opportunities to market your business @ select events

• Self-Managed company profile on the dcedc website

• Listed in select print materials

• Listing on the DCEDC Website

• Eligible to participate in social media channel promotions

• Access to event presentation materials

• Invitation to attend DCEDC’s Annual Business Meeting Luncheon

• Contributions to DCEDC are eligible to be tax deductible*

• Supporting  DCEDC’s public/private partnership will further enable us to retain/expand existing business and industry, and attract sustainable and diversified economic growth in DeKalb County.