DCEDC Business Retention and Expansion Program

In response to economic conditions, DCEDC created a formal business retention visitation program in 2009. DCEDC coordinates visits to major employers to learn about business issues, trends, and opportunities. The program is also designed to address any business concerns and to connect companies to needed resources. With the help of DCEDC Board Members, the Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center (IMEC), community leaders, and DCEDC staff visits are made to local businesses throughout the county. A survey tool, provided by ComEd, is used to collect confidential information during visits. Through the Retention and Expansion program, DCEDC representatives have been able to solve problems and offer information and resources to assist participating companies. Knowledge and feedback from visits helps DCEDC to better serve our local business community.

If your company would like to participate, please contact DCEDC:

Paul Borek, DCEDC Executive Director
borek@dcedc.org or 815-895-2711 ext. 203

Dominique Watson, Graduate Research Assistant
watson@dcedc.org or 815-895-2711 etx. 204

2014-2017 Voice of Business and Industry Report-PDF Download

DeKalb County Thriving!

DeKalb County Thriving! is a county-wide economic development initiative to draft a comprehensive economic development vision and framework for all of DeKalb County. The process is a collaborative effort of five entities: DeKalb County Government, DeKalb County Community Foundation, NIU’s Center for Governmental Studies (CGS), DeKalb County Farm Bureau, and DCEDC.

DeKalb County Thriving! report

The downloadable DeKalb County Economic Development Vision Framework 2015-2020 pdf file, published August 31, 2016.

#ProudlyDeKalb

#ProudlyDeKalb is a collaborative community effort to promote and support all that DeKalb has to offer. The campaign gained momentum with the city’s advancement to the semifinals in the America’s Best Communities competition.

Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center

The Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center (IMEC) works with small and mid-sized Illinois manufacturing firms, helping them improve their productivity and competitiveness with custom solutions to address their needs.

IMEC: 10 Myths about Training Within Industry Job Instruction