The past year saw Coles Together complete our 15th year of incorporation on
August 30, 2003. While economic development is most often thought about for its
efforts in recruiting new employers to the area, even more effort goes into
working with existing employers. In a year that saw continuing high national and
state unemployment, efforts to retain and attract were an even greater challenge
than usual.
We know that cooperation and information are the lifeblood of the economic
development initiative. During the year, we met with many area government,
education, businesses and industry leaders on issues such as:
funding assistance; available sites; infrastructure; the
Coles- Cumberland-Clark county Vital
Economy study; Illinois worker's compensation; the economic betterment alliance;
Indianapolis Colts training camp; the Rural King expansion; the new Interstate
57 interchange and opportunities at Coles County Airport.
To tell the story about Coles County, we provided marketing information to over
125 leads of companies reported to be considering expansion and/or relocation
and responded to more than 50 leads from our ads in national publications
throughout the year. Because adequate physical infrastructure is such an
integral part of business retention and growth, we have been working with local,
county and state personnel to solidify the funding for the needed facilities on
several county projects. This past year, expansion projects eligible for Coles
Together Enterprise Zone incentives had new investment in excess of $15 million
- similar investments for eligible undertakings have topped $240 million since
1990.
Some encouraging activity this past year included:
Lake Land College Enrollment Increase - 7,712 students enrolled in
all Lake Land facilities, which is an increase of 603, or 8.5 percent, from
spring 2003
Consolidated Buys Texas Firm - Consolidated Communications will
triple its business base with a $527 million purchase of a Texas
telecommunications firm. This acquisition solidifies Consolidated's leadership
role in our economy and will add employment to the region.
Eastern Illinois University High Marks & Fine Arts Funding - For
the third year in a row, Eastern Illinois University maintained high rankings in
the top "tier" for Midwest universities in the U.S. News & World Report's 2004
study of top institutions. They just recently received the State of Illinois
commitment of the $46 million needed to finish the Doudna Fine Arts Center
upgrade. When completed, the state-of-the-art facility will not only benefit the
students and the university with its additional classrooms, but it will also be
a place where the community will participate in the college's arts, theater and
music programs.
City OK’s Nukabe Automotive Parts Sales Inc. -The Mattoon City
Council voted unanimously to approve a request by Nukabe Automotive Parts Sales
Inc. for a Revolving Loan Fund. Nukabe is to distribute after-market automotive
performance products and has already signed its first contract with a Japanese
supplier.
Donnelley Merger Could Bolster Business at Mattoon- The merger of
R.R. Donnelley with a Canadian printer bodes well for the largest factory in
Coles County. The corporate buyout of Ontario-based Moore Wallace Inc. could,
over the long-term, expand the customer base of both companies, and that could
lead to more business and more jobs for the local plant.
The Coles Together Board of Directors and Staff are sincerely thankful for the
commitment from investors who have continued to support our endeavors to expand
the Coles County economic growth. We also want to acknowledge those projects
still on the drawing board for Coles County - our region is privileged to have a
quality workforce, community support, and business owners willing to make these
positive expansion decisions that benefit the economic betterment of Coles
County.
Bill Rowland, President
Jeanne Gustafson, Executive Director
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