enterpriz
In 1999,
in response to a need for a comprehensive, unified approach to regional
economic development, enterpriz
was established as a private/public non-profit partnership organization to
serve companies and municipalities in
THE
·
To
help achieve stable, long-term economic growth through focused regional
economic development efforts.
·
To
coordinate activities of partner groups and leverage existing resources.
·
To
assist in the development of a better regional business climate.
·
To
respond rapidly to specific business concerns as they develop.
·
To
establish forums where business, government, education and other constituents can
work together to form consensus on regional economic development priorities.
enterpriz has approximately 150 members
committed to assisting in this mission.
enterpriz positively impacts issues
affecting the quality of life in
enterpriz has an extensive network of
resources to provide direct technical and professional assistance to companies,
generally at no cost.
enterpriz serves the public sector by
monitoring the needs of businesses within municipal boundaries by providing a
mechanism for getting an ongoing reading of the general health of business as
well as its needs, concerns, and opportunities. It helps the public sector
identify and respond to emerging problems and opportunities that may affect
company expansion, relocation, or collapse.
In its
role as a facilitator for public sector services, enterpriz provides a sound
vehicle for delivering assistance to businesses through contacts with the Cook County
Planning Department, the Illinois
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the City
of Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the U.S. EPA and Illinois EPA, the Metropolitan Chicago Water Reclamation
District, and 129 municipalities.
enterpriz also works closely with local
chambers of commerce, universities, and community colleges.
Simply
put, as an ombudsman, enterpriz
strives to increase employment and capital investment, helping to solve
problems related to business operations, such as zoning, financing, expansion,
international trade, modernization, market development, green manufacturing,
etc., utilizing, wherever possible, existing experts.
SERVICES
AVAILABLE THROUGH enterpriz
INCLUDE:
·
Economic
data and market research
·
Technical
assistance with incentive programs
·
Technical
assistance with financing programs
·
Site-selection
consultation
·
International
trade assistance
·
Industry
sector profiles
·
Professional
referral services
·
Seminars,
workshops, breakfast briefings and a newsletter
·
Leads
from advertising designed to attract new business and fill vacant properties
·
Relationships
with fellow business professionals
·
Input
provided to elected officials on matters that affect business
·
Marketing,
advertising, sponsorship, and publicity opportunities to increase
·
A
listing and link to an organization’s website on the Virtual Expo online trade
show at www.enterprizvirtualexpo.org.
THE THREE
TOP enterpriz
PRIORITIES ARE:
1.
Business
employment retention and expansion
a.
Implement
a systematic business retention and expansion effort
b.
Provide
assistance and resources to help companies overcome problems leading to
unemployment or relocation.
2.
Workforce
readiness
a.
Develop
a collaborative process with employment and training providers to link
employers with available training programs.
b.
Monitor
service delivery; identifying skill gaps and mobilizing training resources to
address them.
c.
Shape
existing training services to better meet the changing needs of employers.
3.
Marketing
& Communication
a.
Develop
communication stressing the positives of doing business in
b.
Organize
an information database and materials to respond to expansion or relocation
inquiries.
c.
Form
a network of community contacts to provide information and assistance to
existing and new companies.