Shorewood mulls joining Will County CED
By Clare Walters Correspondent November 28, 2012 10:38AM
Updated: January 5, 2013 6:07AM
Shorewood officials are looking to expand its economic development opportunities by partnering with a regional organization.
The village board recently heard a presentation by the Will County Center for Economic Development President and CEO John Greuling who explained the function of the private, nonprofit organization.
“We look at ourselves as a one-stop shop for providing business assistance throughout the county,” he said.
The center’s programs are focused on bringing more business and jobs to the region. Current efforts include investment in existing and new infrastructure, job growth with existing companies and business recruitment in targeted industries, including advanced manufacturing, food distribution and processing and life sciences.
Higher education and ensuring that the local workforce can be trained to meet the needs of these key industries also is a “big part of our plan,” Greuling said.
Membership would be budgeted at a cost of $1,000 for the 2013-14 fiscal year. The membership would include access to the Will Economic Network, project referrals, lobbying at local, state and federal levels of government, invitations to committees and special events and demographic, sites and building information.
Community Development Director Kimberly Jones said the membership would be a great resource for gathering information her department needs to meet its objectives.
“It would help us in getting deals done and be helping us get information we need,” she said.
The village partners with the Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce for business retention activities in the village.
The village also works with the Small Business Development Center at Joliet Junior College.
