Jim James, Chairman & CEO – IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC.

to Keynote DCEDC’s Annual Dinner

IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. Chairman and CEO Jim James will serve as the keynote speaker at the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation’s 29^th Annual Dinner on November 2^nd from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm at Faranda’s Banquet Center in DeKalb. James has served as IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. President and CEO since 2008 and Chairman and CEO since 2014.

This year IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. is celebrating its 100^th Anniversary of operation. IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. has made its mark by developing the iconic products and practical technology demanded by critical industries like data communications, aerospace, electrical, wire processing, automotive, construction and more.

IDEAL is best known for wire connectors, which have become the go-to standard for electrical connections around the world. IDEAL innovations touch the sky — where nearly every commercial jet flying today was made using IDEAL wire strippers. IDEAL reached the moon, as part of the critical equipment on NASA missions. Best of all, IDEAL touches the daily lives of skilled tradesmen around the globe, who reach for IDEAL, Western Forge and SK brand hand tools to get the job done.

Reservations are now being accepted.  Please visit the EVENTS  page to secure an online reservation.

 

DeKalb County Enterprise Zone CERTIFIED

Per a resolution from Director Jim Schultz of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the DeKalb County Enterprise Zone HAS BEEN CERTIFIED as of 12/17/15. As designated Zone Administrator, the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation will work with DCEO and the Illinois Department of Revenue to establish administrative procedures for operating the Zone and qualifying beneficiaries. Further information about Zone administration will be posted on this website under our “Site Selectors” drop down menu or by clicking here.

For further information or questions, please contact DCEDC Executive Director Paul Borek.

DeKalb Target Distribution Center to More Than Double Employment by Spring

Employment at the DeKalb Target Corporation Distribution Center (located at 1111 Macom Drive) is set to more than double by May 2016, according to company officials, when the facility undergoes a $50 million transformation into an Upstream Distribution Center (UDC). The UDC will specialize in the distribution of difficult-to-forecast merchandise and serve one-third of Target locations within the United States. Current employment at the facility is approximately 350 individuals, but the expansion is expected to increase employment at the facility to 800+. This April/May, the company will be hiring for a variety of positions with competitive wages: warehouse workers, powered equipment operators, operations team members (packaging/shipping), mechanics, clerical, and leadership.

UPDATE (3/8/16): Information from Illinois WorkNet Center regarding Target hiring events! Target Flyer Distribution Center Hiring Info

Please visit http://www.Target.com/careers for hiring information.

For additional details, please read the Daily Chronicle article: Target to more than double its workforce by May

Construction Update on the New 3M Distribution Center

Construction is proceeding rapidly on 3M’s new 987,000 square foot building on Macon Drive at Park 88 in DeKalb.

The 987,000 square foot facility is 3M’s fifth distribution center in the city. It was made possible by an intergovernmental property tax abatement with the City of  DeKalb and other DeKalb taxing bodies. In addition, the city expedited permitting the ensure that 3M’s August, 2016 move-in deadline could be met. The project is being development by Venture One Real Estate and Clayco.

NEW Commercial/Industrial Property Listings Fee Schedule and Submission Procedure

Effective January 4, 2016, DCEDC will implement a fee schedule for industrial and commercial property listings on our website.

DCEDC Members:
$0.00 charge per listing, per year.
$0.00 charge for Change/Update to the listing.

Non-Member:
$25.00 charge, per listing, per year.
$10.00 charge for Change/Update to the listing, each occurrence.

NEW Listing Procedure Information: All property listings and future listing changes will be submitted online to streamline our listings move to our LocationOne online property database. We thank you in advance for your patience and assistance with this transition. This move will improve the overall property search experience. The old listings page is no longer available. Please visit “Available Sites & Buildings” under our “Site Selectors” dropdown menu to find the new forms and LocationOne databases.

If you have questions, please contact us.

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 early 2015.  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. To see ComEd’s Fact Sheet for June 2015: “Electricity Attributes Enhance the Illinois Business Climate” click here.

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

Industrial Career Development – The DeKalb Ogle Workforce Development Consortium was established to help businesses and educators work together to introduce students to rewarding careers in manufacturing and industrial technology. With the support of local businesses, foundations and schools, the DeKalb Ogle Workforce Development Consortium succeeded in introducing over 300 high school students to careers in industry during the past three years. As a result, Automated Engineering Technology, Diesel Power, Welding and Automotive Technology at the Kishwaukee Education Consortium (KEC) are full; students have enrolled in Career Technology programs at Kishwaukee College and Engineering Programs at Northern Illinois University; and significant progress has been made in removing obstacles to internships and summer employment at local companies. Additionally, we are pleased to acknowledge the ongoing support of education partners through the Kishwaukee Education Consortium and Kishwaukee College – for their support of the Consortium.

On-the-Job Training program from the Illinois workNet Center connects WIOA eligible participants with full-time employment within DeKalb County. Hands-on training opportunities help employees obtain skills and competencies and provides funding/training dollars to employers at 50% of the job seeker’s wages for up to six months.

More information in our Workforce Development section.

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

• No Charge for Members to list Commercial or Industrial Real Estate Sites and Buildings under our available Inventory

• 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.