Economic Development Commission

Village of Skokie Economic Development Commission Wednesday, April 16, 2025 8:30 A.M. Village Hall, 5127 Oakton, Conference Room D & E I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER / DECLARATION OF QUOURM II. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM January 15, 2025 III. NEW BUSINESS a. Downtown Skokie Merchants Collaborative – Overview from Madeleine England (Kneads and Wants) Website: Vibes in the Village b. Planning and Development Project Updates IV. OLD BUSINESS – Economic Vitality Strategy – Scheduling Focus Area Workshops/Discussion V. COMMUNICATIONS a. Village Staff b. EDC Members VI. PUBLIC COMMENT VII. ADJOURNMENT The next regular meeting of the Economic Development Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 8:30 A.M. in CONFERENCE ROOM D+E at Skokie Village Hall, 5127 Oakton, Skokie, IL Document Number: 625894  Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes Date: January 15, 2025 Location: 4051 Main Street EDC MEMBERS PRESENT: Howard Meyer, Vice-Chair, Maegan Akers, Barbara Carley, Steve Franklin, Jeremy Gleason, Nathan Norman and Trustee Alison Pure Slovin EDC MEMBERS ABSENT: Michael Rosen, Marc Battista, Lynn Nolan, Scott Gendell, Brian Levinson STAFF PRESENT: Johanna Nyden, Community Dev. Director, Rodney Tonelli, Economic Vitality Director, Carol White, Economic Vitality Coordinator, and Meredith Gioia, Communications Manager OTHERS PRESENT: None (I) CALL TO ORDER A quorum being present, Vice-Chair Meyer called the meeting to order at 8:41 AM. (II) APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM DECEMBER 18, 2024 A motion was made to accept the draft minutes of the December 18, 2024 meeting. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. (III) OLD BUSINESS No Old Business (IV) NEW BUSINESS a. 4051 Main Street Rod gave a recap of the Main Street Commercial Corridor Plan and the Village’s acquisition of 4051 Main Street. He discussed the DCEO grant the Village received that was used for the acquisition. He gave an overview of the Village’s plan to utilize the space, reviewed the new Winter Market being inside and outside the space and introduced Meredith Gioia. Meredith gave a presentation for the vison of the space as “The Storefront” and discussed the programming and plans being developed by the Fine Arts Commission and the Economic Vitality Division. b. Downtown Report Carol White gave an overview of downtown events including Tasty Treats, Giggles and Goodies and Downtown Bingo. She discussed the new “Open Sign” program and recent business recruitment activity in the downtown. Document Number: 624799 Document Name: Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes_January 15, 2025  c. Chicago Life Sciences Event at ISTP Rod gave an overview of the Bisnow life-sciences event being held at the ISTP on February 5th. The event is being held in the 8030 Lamon building which was recently acquired by Singerman Real Estate. The event will have industry experts on panels speaking on life science, biotech and quantum computing. Road will send an event link to the EDC members. (V) COMMUNICATIONS a. Village Staff Rod stated that staff had no other comments than already discussed. b. EDC Members Howard announced his new job opportunity and departure from the chamber. Commissioners offered their comments and congratulations. (VI) PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. (VII) ADJOURNMENT A motion to adjourn was made and unanimously approved. Vice-Chair Meyer adjourned the meeting at 9:56 AM. Respectfully submitted, Rod Tonelli, Economic Vitality Manager Document Number: 624799 Document Name: Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes_January 15, 2025