By responding to community needs, University of Illinois Extension programs in community and economic development build capacity for collective and informed decision-making to enhance quality of life. Diverse activities are structured around three broad areas: Enhancing Civic Engagement, Improving the Community Business Climate and Developing Community Based Infrastructure & Organizations.

With the support of Extension and the Clark County Board, the Clark County Development Organization Board of Directors meets six times per year and continues to serve as the CED advisory group to the Clark County Board and University of Illinois Extension. Meetings are held on a rotating basis in Casey, Marshall, Martinsville, Westfield and West Union. Representatives from each community and the County Board are in regular attendance.

In the Fall of 2008 Clark County was invited with other representatives from the East Central Illinois Development Corporation to attend a weekend retreat at the Lowe Foundation. At this retreat we learned about the concept of Open Source Economic Development, the importance of asset based development, networking and strategic doing. These concepts are now being applied to the work we are doing in community and economic development in Clark County as well as throughout the ECIDC region.

Our economy is undergoing dramatic shifts. The integration of global markets along with the explosion of the internet has created a "perfect storm" of deep economic change. To thrive in this environment, local and regional economics need balanced strategies that encourage new conversations, networks, and investments in the

following areas:

· Strengthening Brainpower

· Connecting Innovation & Entrepreneurial Networks

· Building Quality Connected Places

· Promoting an Effective Brand

· Strengthening Civic Habits & Purposeful Dialogue

Conversation/idea groups have been formed for Clark County in all of these areas. Community leaders and interested residents are coming together regularly to have conversations and generate ideas concerning these areas. Ideas are then forwarded to the Clark County Development Organization for further consideration.

GOT DATA?

Sick of shooting in the dark...need good information to market your business better?

Trisha Mason, Executive Director for the East Central Illinois Development Corporation will present a brief overview of the services the corporation provides in the region and also details on the new market analysis tool: BUSINESS ANALYSIS.

Get to know your current market better while exploring potential markets with BUSINESS

ANALYSIS, a new tool making better business decisions easier!

Please join the Clark County Board, Clark County Development Organization and University of Illinois Extension for a complimentary dinner and an evening of networking and education for area business owners, managers and economic development professionals. It is a wonderful opportunity for the business community across the county to come together to create and or strengthen county and regional relationships!

Monday, November 16, 2009 Martinsville Bible Church

509 N. Ridgelawn Road

5:30 pm –Networking, Local & Regional Business Resource Tables:

Casey Chamber of Commerce, Casey Industries, East Central IL Development Corporation, EIU's Business Solution Center, Illinois Small Business Center, Local Workforce Investment Board, Marshall Chamber of Commerce, Marshall Main Street, Martinsville Chamber of Commerce and the Wabash Valley RC & D.

6:00 pm - Dinner & Roundtable Discussions

7:15 pm - Dessert & Guest Speaker

No Clark County business is too small or too large to attend. It is a great opportunity for networking and learning about local & regional resources to help make your business stronger! Every business attending receives a complimentary meal plus a Clark County Business Analysis Summary...RSVP today! See page 3 for the reservation form.

With this market analysis services, we are now able to present up-to-date data in a professional format to those commercial businesses we would like to attract at a cost that is well within our marketing budget." Julie Bounds, Economic Development Director, City of Marshall

"I am excited that this data is available to help Clark County businesses make better business decisions. I am looking forward to working with Business Analysis as a business owner as well as a community leader." Don Stephen, Quail Shed and Clark County Board Member

"The information gathered has given us a valuable marketing tool for media advertising and in the coming year we will be incorporating this information into targeting some of the areas that would assist us in our future growth." Dennis Shiley, Director, Clark County Park District

Communication is one of the key elements to better collaborations which leads to innovation, business growth, and job creation. One of the Clark County Development Organization's goals for 2010 is to move away from the "shotgun approach" of economic development to a more "targeted approach". The county development board is currently reviewing what types of businesses are located in the county and how to connect like-businesses together for better peer to peer county networking.

The more targeted peer to peer networks would allow businesses to create and or strengthen relationships across the county and region. Through this county networking process the Clark County Development Organization can address more targeted needs for business groups, finding resources and offer better services to meet the needs of Clark County businesses.

To begin this county networking process we would like to host business roundtable discussions at our 2009 Clark County Business Networking & Education Dinner November 16th. These discussions will be informal conversations lead by a county development board member. The key points in the conversations will be documented and will help the county development board target initiatives for 2010.

Please join us for an evening of good food, great conversations and information to help your business be more successful!

___ Yes, I will attend the 11/16/09 dinner (1 complimentary meal per business will be provided)

___ Yes, I will need ___________ additional meals @ $10.00 each

___ No, I can not attend, but would like more information regarding future county business networking

Business Name: ____________________________________Contact: ____________________________

Address:_____________________________________________________________

City:______________________________________ State:_____________ Zip: ______________

Phone:________________________Email:___________________________________________

#1 Business Concern: ___________________________________________________________________

Number of Employees:__________ How long have you been in business?____________________

Type of Market for your product or service: Local Regional National Global

Type of business: Service Retail Industry Other __________________

Please make any checks out to the Clark County Development Organization and return it plus the form to: University of IL Extension 15493 N. State Highway One, Marshall, IL 62441 For more information contact Tiffany Macke, Community & Economic Development - tmacke@illinois.edu or (217) 826-5422. Please RSVP before Wednesday, November 11th. Thank you.

Energy Conservation

October 22, 2009, 3-5pm at the Extension office

We all pay a price to consume energy. That price is both economical and environmental. As energy costs continue to rise, we need to change the way we consume energy to combat rising costs and improve environmental quality for future generations. This program will focus on how local governments can conserve energy, decrease energy costs, and reduce the negative impacts on the environment.

Legislative Update

November 19, 2009, 3-5pm at the Extension office

This Tele-Institute will provide all local government officials with a review of current State and Federal legislative issues. Officials will learn the progress of these State and Federal legislative issues and the impact they have on Illinois local governments and the communities they serve. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss new legislation with professionals who specialize in State and Federal legislative issues.

The University of Illinois Extension Fall 2009 Series -Local Government Tele-Institutes are broadcasted over a statewide audio-teleconferencing system through Illinois county Extension Offices. Programs are offered from 3 to 5 p.m. at the U of I Extension Clark County office, located just south of Marshall on Illinois Route 1.

These Tele-Institute programs provide the opportunity for county officials to earn Certified County Official (CCO) credit. Each Tele-Institute qualifies for 2 hours of general CCO credit.

The registration fee for each program is $5. A minimum of 4 participants are required to host each program. Registration for the Thursday programs should be completed no later than the Wednesday before. Those interested in participating should call (217) 826-5422.

· List your business or organization for FREE

· Post job openings for your business or volunteer openings for your organization

· List an event on the community calendar for your non-profit organization

· See what is going on around the county!

Community and economic development happens in Clark County because of dedicated, passionate community leaders and residents!

2009 CCDO Board members include:

Casey –Mayor Scott Elkins, Traci Heffelbower and Monica Richards. Marshall –Mayor Ken Smith, Julie Bounds and Cheryl Raisner. Martinsville –Mayor Phil Reeds, Norma Calvert (Board President) and Gary Henigman. Westfield –Mayor Mark Davis and Martha Menser. West Union –York Township Supervisor, Karen Young and Margie Jackson. Clark County Board–Dale Murphy and Don Stephen.

Each community can have up to 3 representatives on the Clark County Development Organization. The group tries to keep balanced with representation in the areas of government, business and community.

This volunteer board meets every other month to plan and implement county CED activities.

THe East central Illinois Mass Transit District has expanded hours and routes

call (866) 384-0503 for more information.

Save THE DATES!

The 2nd annual (2010) clark county leadership Boot Camp will be February10 & 24 and March 10 & 24.

Call (217) 826-5422 for information.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, United States Department of Agriculture - Local Extension Councils Cooperating, University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunity in programs and employment.

Visit http://clark.extension.uiuc.edu or call (217) 826-5422 for more information.