January 29, 2010

RAEDC Delivered Testimony to House of Representatives' Job Creation Task Force

For Immediate Release
January 29, 2010

Rockford, Illinois - Eric Voyles, Vice President of National Business Development delivered testimony to the Job Creation Task Force. This bi-partisan panel was created by the House of Representatives to hear testimony from communities across the State of Illinois on how legislative changes can help communities create and retain more jobs in their region.

Specific initiatives that could substantially improve Illinois' competitiveness and that of the Rockford Region highlighted by Mr. Voyles included:

1. Establish sustainable and dedicated funding source for DCEO and local economic development organizations (EDOs).
2. Initiate certification process of EDOs for improved coordination and consistency of delivery of economic development services.
3. Support economic development legislation for regionally targeted industries such as air cargo, alternative energy and aerospace.
4. Coordinate international event participation between State and local EDOs.
5. Enhance communication channels between state and local EDO’s.
6. Assistance in sister city partnership development focusing on economic gain Sister City Development.

Mr. Voyles concluded that:

"The Rockford Area Economic Development Council believes that with the development and implementation of strategic plan significant changes can be made in how the State of Illinois is perceived regarding capital investment decisions, this shift in perception will lead to more jobs being created for Illinois citizens."

To view a copy of written testimony delivered to the Jobs Creation Task Force, click here.

Also available are the written testimony and power point presentation of RAEDC City of Rockford and RACVB International Initiatives and recommendations to Global Markets Committee of the Economic Recovery Commission of the State of Illinois delivered on 12-16-2009.