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DeKalb County, Illinois

Minutes of the
Economic Development Committee


January 13, 2010
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                                                          Economic Development Committee                                                                               Minutes
                                                                        January 13, 2010

 

            The DeKalb County Economic Development Committee met on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 @ 7:00p.m., in the Legislative Center's Freedom Room.  Chairman Eileen Dubin called the meeting to order.  Members present were Sally DeFauw, Julia Fauci, Jeff Metzger, Sr., Riley Oncken, Mark Todd and Pat Vary.  Those present were Paul Borek and Joe Misurelli.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES         
          Ms. Vary amended the minutes by changing the word “which” to “who” on page 3.           

          Moved by Ms. Fauci, seconded by Ms. Vary, and it was carried unanimously to approve the minutes from October 2009.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA        
       Moved by Mr. Todd, seconded by Mr. Oncken, and it was carried unanimously to approve the agenda as presented.

PUBLIC COMMENT     
            None.

CHAIR'S REPORT 
           Chairman Dubin said that she has discussed with Dr. Gleeson the next step that needs to be taken with the grant that he is collaborating on with the County and the Economic Development Corporation.  They made an expanded list of the three areas they have identified that needs to be researched further: the manufacturing area, the technology, administrative and headquarters area, and the creative enterprises and arts area.  They hope to hold a second meeting with an extended group.

            Ms. Vary said that she thought about what would attract more higher-end jobs.  She came up with: the nearness to airports and Chicago, upscale shopping, beautiful downtown and the arts. 

           Chairman Dubin said that she has spoken with a local grant writer about working part-time for the County to try and secure grants for various agencies and the County.  Ms. Jenny Tompkins has agreed to work part-time with the County and would build in funds for her work with each grant.  She will concentrate on grants for economic development and social services.

 

 PAUL BOREK'S MONTHLY REPORT          
         Mr. Paul Borek, Executive Director of the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation updated the committee on what his corporation has been doing lately.  He said that many people felt that the County's first Small Business Expo held in November 2009 was a big success.  The consensus was to do this type of Expo again in 2010.

 

          The committee discussed other people that could be invited to participate in the next Expo like lawyers to answer basic business questions and DeKalb County's Community Services Department Director, Ms. Donna Moulton, who could explain the loan program that they have for small businesses.

 

            Mr. Borek then continued by stating that in 2009 his mission was to visit with businesses throughout the County to help retain them.  He completed 53 business visits in 2009.  He helped to make referrals to certain companies who needed help.  He said that most of the companies that he met with are doing well and that most of them have made reductions where needed in their companies to survive.  Small to mid-size businesses were very excited by his visits. 

 

THE TARGET TAX ABATEMENT RESCISSION            
          It was moved by Mr. Oncken, seconded by Ms. Vary, and it was carried unanimously to direct the Tax Extension Clerk to rescind the 2009 70% tax abatement on parcel #08-26-200-010.

 

GENOA TAX ABATEMENT REQUEST
            Mr. Joe Misurelli, Genoa City Manager, said that this tax abatement request comes from a local businessman who's company is expanding.  All local entities have approved the abatement so far and that Kishwaukee College did approve it last night at their meeting.  The project involves the construction of an 8,300 square foot new building in Genoa.  Service Concepts is the name of the company asking for this abatement.  They are currently located in Kane County and will relocate to Genoa.  Service Concepts is a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) service firm, primarily serving commercial, industrial and institutional clients.  The company's owner resides in Genoa.  With this new building the Company will add 5 new relatively high paying jobs, with plans to expand the workforce up to at least 10 employees.  These full-time HVAC service technician jobs pay in excess of $20.00/hour.

 

            The committee discussed the fact that they would like language added to the resolution that included “…the rescission of the abatement for the year that the company was not in compliance with the agreement.”

 

            It was moved by Ms. Vary, seconded by Mr. Oncken, and it was carried unanimously to recommend this resolution with the amended language to include “ “..the rescission of the abatement for the year that the company was not in compliance” with the agreement, and to forward this recommendation to the full board for approval.

 

           

ADJOURNMENT
            Moved by Ms. Vary, seconded by Ms. Fauci, and it was carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting.

 

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

 

                                               

 

                                                                        Eileen Dubin, Chairman

 

ed:mc

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