|
BASIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
COURSE PROVIDES IMPORTANT
TRAINING OPPORTUNITY
By DENNIS R. WHETSTONE
Director, Illinois Department of Commerce & Community Affairs
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Economic development is clearly a priority in
most communities. Knowing successful economic development techniques, however, may not always be so
clear. That's why, in October, the Illinois Department
of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA), along
with the Illinois Development Council will again sponsor the Basic Economic Development Course, designed to help economic development practitioners
and community leaders help their communities become more competitive in the process of economic development.
The Basic Economic Development Course is an intensive five-day program, directed by Dr. Robert
Koepke of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville,
and coordinated by DCCA's Rich Funderburk and
Mary Renner. Among sessions to be taught are building the foundation of a competitive community, influencing investment location, supporting existing business, stimulating international trade and entrepreneurship. On Thursday, October 24, a special session
will be held on "Servicing the Prospect." That session
is open to anyone interested in attending, even those
who cannot attend the other sessions. All sessions are
taught by well-respected economic development professionals from throughout the United States, including Certified Economic Developers David Richmond
of Shelbyville, Indiana; M. L. DuBrow of St. Louis; and Dean Whitaker of Holland, Michigan; consultants
Kate McEnroe of McEnroe Consulting, Atlanta,
Georgia; David Kolzow of Fluor Daniel Consulting,
Greenville, South Carolina; and Eric Canada of Blane,
Canada Ltd., Wheaton; John Quinn of the University
of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service, Carbondale;
Doug Dougherty, executive director of the Governor's
Rural Affairs Council; Michael Boer of the Greater
Springfield Chamber of Commerce; and Jeff Markland
of DCCA's Office of Local Initiatives.
Participation in the Basic Economic Development
Course provides graduates with a basic education that
they can take back home and use in helping their communities become more successful in the economic development competition. It also is the first step toward
accreditation through the American Economic
Development Council because graduates become eligible to attend the Economic Development Institute
through the University of Oklahoma, where they can
earn the coveted Certified Economic Developer accreditation.
The October course will be the third Basic Economic Development Course DCCA has co-sponsored
this year. Already, nearly 100 DCCA staff have completed the course, as well as staff from many of our
economic development partners, such as Small
Business Development Centers, Community Action
Page 24 / Illinois Municipal Review / September 1996
Agencies and others. I feel that the course has been instrumental in helping DCCA staff to better serve you.
Graduates agree. Typical of their comments: "The
BEDC was excellent. I learned a lot about economic
development that I really didn't know. In addition, it
helped me to better understand the overall mission of
the agency better than anything I had previously read
or heard."
I heartily encourage economic development practitioners, local officials, chamber of commerce executives and others interested in making their communities more competitive to attend the next Basic
Economic Development Course. The course will be held October 21-25 on the campus of the University of
Illinois-Springfield. Registration should be made
through the Office of Continuing Education, Campus
Box 1084, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville,
Edwardsville, IL 62026. For further information, contact Dr. Robert Koepke at SlU-Edwardsville, telephone
618/692-2142, or Mary Renner at DCCA, 217/785-
6097 (TDD users call 800/785-6055.) •
September 1996 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 25