enterpriz COOK COUNTY

 

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 Cook County.

 

THE MISSION OF enterpriz IS:

·          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 Cook County, such as transportation, business development, workforce training, public education, community services and amenities.

 

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 Cook County’s visibility as a good place to live, work, and play

·          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 Cook County to offset aggressive marketing efforts designed to lure companies out of Cook County.

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.