Michael Scholefield, Chairman CSEDC, mscholfield@baxterwoodman.com

Economic Development Program in Flossmoor.

Despite the recession, the Village of Flossmoor has been successful in approving 38,000 sq ft of retail and office development over the last year.  The Village is actively promoting additional development opportunities in the downtown area, the Governors Highway/Kedzie Avenue Corridor and a TIF District located along Vollmer Road and Crawford Avenue.  The Village will discuss its recent successes, additional opportunities, and provide the attendees an understanding of why developers in recent years have found the Village “great to work with” and enjoyed seeing their developments built in Flossmoor. 

Paul S. Braun, Mayor

Training the Southland Workforce for 21st Manufacturing.

The Southland Chamber of Commerce, regional colleges, and CSEDC are visiting regional manufactures to discuss their assessment of the regional economy.  An overriding observation from our manufacturers is the area with the best trained people will win the global economic challenge. The Chicago Manufacturing Renaissance Council will discuss efforts to expand its Workforce development efforts into our region in partnership with our educational institutions.

Dan Swinney, Executive Director. CMRC, dswinney@clcr.org 

Illiana Expressway Feasibility Report.

Michael Einhorn , Crete Village President wrote recently “  The word on the street is that the feasibility study on the Illiana Expressway will be released sometime in the first part of July. I can hardly wait to read it”    The author of the report will present the findings on the Illiana expressway.The Illiana Expressway Feasibility Study is now posted on the INDOT website at the link below:  http://www.in.gov/indot/files/FR_INDOT_IllianaExprsswy_06-30-2009.pdf

Barbara Sloan, Principal, Cambridge Systematics,Inc. bsloan@camsys.com

CREATE.

A central tenet of the Southland economic development strategy is to leverage the rail transportation assets of the region into additional development opportunities.  CREATE, a first-of-its-kind partnership between U.S. DOT, the State of Illinois, City of Chicago, Metra, Amtrak, and the nation's freight railroads is vitally importance to our region,  An update on the program’s investment and the impact of stimulus dollars 

William C. Thompson, CREATE Program Manager, WThompson@aar.org

Transit Oriented Development and Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

CSEDC and SSMMA are integrating recently funded programs to focus on housing and retail development around regional Transit Stations.  We are seeking input on implementing what is becoming a nationally recognized effort.

Reggie Greenwood, Janice Morrissy, Joe Martin, SSMMA