Economic Development Commission

VILLAGE OF SKOKIE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES - DRAFT March 28, 2017 EDC Members Present: Shalom Klein, Chair Billy Haido Michael Halliburton Collette Hands Karen Gray-Keeler David Jacobson Ross Mathee Erica Minchella Bradley Rosen EDC Members Not Present: Serge Khalimsky Howard Meyer, Vice Chair Randy Miles Kristen Murtos Sacha Patera David Putrus Michael Rosen Edwin Vdovets Other Officials Present: Len Becker, Economic Development Manager Leslie Murphy, Economic Development Specialist Ann Tennes, Marketing and Communications Director I. and II. Call to Order/Welcome and Introductions/Approval of Minutes Chairman Shalom Klein convened the meeting at 8:05 a.m. Klein requested consideration of the draft minutes from the January 24, 2017 meeting. The minutes were approved. III. ED Activities Update Leslie Murphy introduced Leonard (Len) Becker, the Village’s new Economic Development Manager, who provided a brief professional background and history of his ED experience for the Commission. Commission members warmly greeted Becker and provided brief professional backgrounds for him as well and Klein stated that he and the EDC looked forward to working with Becker. Murphy then provided the Commission with a PowerPoint presentation covering recent/current ED activity within the Village as compiled from several recent presentations prepared for the Skokie Chamber, School District 69 and the new owners of the Illinois Science + Technology Park, American Landmark Properties. Murphy indicated that she would forward the presentation to the EDC electronically for their files. Ann Tennes mentioned that Skokie was recently featured in Crain’s as a Top 8 Chicago suburb in which to live. Murphy also shared a recent summary of Active Retailers and Restaurants in the Chicago MSA and 1 516961v1 EDC March 28, 2017 Minutes May 2017 asked Commissioners to review the list and identify which retailers they would like to see here in Skokie and/or they are familiar with from other regions of the country. IV. Chairman’s Report a. Targeted ED Strategy. Chairman Klein announced that the Targeted ED Strategy is scheduled to be presented to the Village Board of Trustees sometime this spring and that staff was working to get it published internally for that purpose. Staff will provide the Village Board presentation date well in advance so that as many Commissioners as possible can attend. In order to begin effectuating the Targeted Strategy, he indicated that the Workforce Subcommittee has developed an ‘action plan’ for the coming year which focuses on two or three priority employment and job training areas for the Village. These objectives will enable the EDC to ‘dig deeper’ in terms of the current business climate and provide some direction in terms of implementation. The Workforce Subcommittee recommended the following action items for the Village: 1) Strengthen key employment resource partnerships with educational institutions, employers and State and local workforce agencies in order to increase the desirability of Skokie as an employment center; and 2) Work to achieve an “Awareness Campaign” (e.g., toolkit via the web) to act as a role model/reliable employment resource to local businesses and job-seekers by providing streamlined guidance and support to both. Colette Hands added that being able to synthesize “early wins” will help to increase the potential for success for these partnerships and to effectively combine resources to avoid duplication of efforts. As an example, OCC and the Chamber are hosting a Small Business Expo “Hiring Event” on June 1, which is directed towards new business owners who need mid/entry level workers and the Village could help to promote the event. Hands also emphasized the importance of gathering and sharing information gleaned from area employers (e.g., what kinds of workers do they need and when?) by sending out welcome or outreach letters from the Village to educate these companies as to the best ways to access the community’s resources when they are in a hiring mode. Terry Ratoff, Business Services Librarian for the Skokie Public Library, mentioned that the SPL hosts various workshops for local businesses where this information is provided and a job board and meeting space that can be accessed by area employers as long as they have secured a business library card. David Jacobsen stated that he would also like to see the Village (or its partners) develop a “Goodwill Ambassador” program whereby knowledgeable representatives would call on new or existing small to mid-sized businesses and share important information which could help them with their hiring efforts, among other matters. Brad Rosen stated that business owners often have their first encounter with the Village regarding technical matters, such as building permits, etc. Jacobsen added that a group of existing or retired business leaders to act as the ‘first contact’ with the Village might be a unique advantage to Skokie. Resident Katie Gudgel shared that some small businesses need guidance regarding employment law, taxes, payroll, etc. Tennes and Ratoff reminded the EDC that SCORE personnel offer services weekly at SPL regarding these matters and that local universities/college students can be tapped to help with business plans, etc. Becker shared that recent studies suggest that retaining retirees within a community adds to the area’s economic growth potential. Suggestions were also made to form more mentor groups within the Skokie Chamber of Commerce to build a stronger community of support among experienced and novice business owners. 2 516961v1 EDC March 28, 2017 Minutes May 2017  b. Recent/Upcoming Business Site Visit. Chairman Klein announced that the first business site visit for 2017 was held at Pharmore, Inc. who recently moved and expanded their operation from Howard Street to Touhy Avenue. Those in attendance were treated to an excellent tour of the impressive facilities and overview of the contract pharmacy business by President Avi Goldfeder. The next few business site visits will be announced shortly by Vice Chair Howard Meyer. V. Other New Business Jacobsen shared that during his recent trip to Milwaukee he was impressed by the casino/waterfront area which included old loft conversions and other supportive retail reuse. Commission members discussed the applicability to Downtown Skokie and staff indicated that efforts to encourage and incentivize existing property owners to explore ‘creative re-purposing’ of their buildings continues to be a top priority. VI. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 am. Respectfully submitted, Leslie G. Murphy, Economic Development Specialist 3 516961v1 EDC March 28, 2017 Minutes May 2017