Will County Center
for Economic Devlopment
R&M
worked with the Will County CED to design a five-year strategic
plan for Joliet/Will County, Illinois, and raised $7.5 million for the “Will County CED: A Step Ahead of
Tomorrow” campaign, almost doubling the CED’s annual budget. The economic
development initiatives encompass creating 36,000 new jobs and $4.4 billion in
new employee income in Will
County between 2006 and
2010.
One of the most remarkable campaign successes involves the
CED’s leadership. When R&M began its feasibility assessment, only 15
businesses and organizations were investing $10,000 or more annually in the
CED. At campaign’s end, the Will County
CED boasts 57 businesses
and organizations investing at that level, and participating in a new Strategic
Leadership Council that is driving high-level E.D. priorities. Many of these leaders previously invested
only $150-$1,000 per year. This unprecedented group of public and private
leaders has clout and ability to confront issues that challenge effective
economic development – and now, an “emerging opportunities” fund of $400,000
annually, with which to drive key initiatives.
Will County
CED, now in its 25th year,
works to attract and retain jobs and induce capital
investment in Will
County. R&M’s work adds further sophistication to
the CED’s nationally acknowledged job attraction and retention skills through
the creation of the Strategic Leadership Council, and integrating investor
relations into the CED program to maximize investor retention. For details visit the Will County
CED Website at http://www.c-e-d.org/.