The objective of the Kane County Economic Development Advisory Board is to make available sufficient opportunities throughout Kane County to expand its diverse economy and maintain a competitive position in the regional, national and global marketplace. The Advisory Board considers this objective to be vital to the well-being and prosperity of the county, the municipalities in the county, and the citizens of the county.

The Advisory Board has identified five guiding principles that will direct the attainment of this objective. In addition, listed with each guiding principle are specific strategies the Advisory Board has determined will achieve its direction.
 

I. Support the goals and strategies of the Kane County 2030 Transportation Plan.

       Strategies:

A.  Endorse cooperation and coordination amongst local and regional transportation planning to provide a transportation system that accommodates both existing and future travel demands and supports local and regional land use plans and economic development policies.

B.  Reduce congestion while preserving the County's transportation system and its carrying efficiency.

C.  Develop a balanced intermodal transportation system that adds to the available travel options, increases personal mobility and offers alternatives to the single occupancy vehicle.

D.  Maintain and improve the quality of the environment while providing transportation services to growing areas.

E.  Work to reduce congestion on county, local and state routes by encouraging the municipalities in Kane County to take direction from the Gruen and Gruen white paper "Anticipating the Future: Revolutionary Changes and Policy Recommendations for Enhancing the Randall Road Corridor" (January, 2004) when planning future development along major corridors, in town centers and in priority places. Promote the creation of mixed-use development with an economy that provides well-paying jobs so residents can work close to where they live, particularly where big box retailers and strip malls become obsolete.

 

II.  Support the goals and strategies of the Kane County 2030 Land Resource Management Plan.

       Strategies:

A.  Target and encourage quality economic development through the use of the Ten Principles of Smart Growth.

B.  Structure the Small Cities Grant Program to encourage Kane County small cities to plan for economic development consistent with the Ten Principles of Smart Growth.

 

III.  Cultivate and encourage the entrepreneurial climate that exists in Kane County, especially among the small businesses who are Kane County's #1 employers.

       Strategies:

A.  Apply and promote the application of the Ten Principles of Smart Growth to identify an approach to using those principles for innovative downtown economic development projects, including adaptive reuse and redevelopment to increase start-up businesses and downtown business incubators.

B.  Continue to monitor and support the Fox Valley Micro Loan Fund as a valuable tool for start-up small businesses.

 

IV.  Encourage development of a skilled Kane County workforce that will foster the retention of existing businesses and recruitment of new businesses beneficial to the economic development environment in Kane County.

       Strategies:

A.  Support the Kane County Department of Employment and Education and the River Valley Workforce Investment Board in identifying best practices in workforce development and training, and provide exposure to the services provided by the Illinois Employment Training Centers in Kane County.

B.  Develop an outreach program to allow the EDAB to better communicate with businesses in Kane County. This program would provide the EDAB with an understanding of the workforce needs of those businesses for the purpose of business retention. A good resource for this program would be the Valley Industrial Association. Continue to monitor and support the Fox Valley Micro Loan Fund as a valuable tool for start-up small businesses.

C.  Collaborate with the Kane County Department of Employment and Education and the River Valley Investment Board to take direction from the Gruen and Gruen white paper "Improving the Alignment Between the Skill Sets of the Local Workforce and the Skills Demanded by Kane County Employers" (September, 2003). The paper's conclusion poses the challenge to "intensify and sustain the collaboration between Kane County educational resources, public/social service agencies, economic development organizations, and businesses to ensure the programs and services provided to students, incumbent and unemployed workers reflect the needs of businesses for a 21st Century work force. The partnership forged must focus on communicating to students and workers the skill sets they need to succeed and how to acquire them."

 

V.  Maintain a strong county/municipal partnership in economic development.

       Strategies:

A.  Continue to serve in the role of coordinator and disseminator of information on emerging economic development trends to the municipalities, economic development agencies and chambers in the county.

B.  Support the Kane County Economic Development Professionals by continuing to host the Quarterly Kane County Economic Development Professionals Forum.