Community and Economic Development

STRONG COMMUNITIES are in full bloom within the Ford-Iroquois Unit as dedicated leaders maintain their vision for the future. Community growth and development began with an objective look at the strengths and opportunities for enhancement in three area Community Swap programs (Paxton, Watseka, and Gibson City). Elected officials, local organizations, and volunteers in these communities have worked diligently to accomplish even more for their citizenry. Similar results are expected in 2006 when Onarga participates in their community swap experience. In addition, the many educational and interesting events and enterprises in this area were marketed in order to draw visitors for a brief visit or a weekend getaway.

• Five members of the Invest in Gibson City Committee began their campaign last August with a series of weekend events to educate local residents on the benefits of buying local. Committee members, in partnership with the Ford-Iroquois Extension office, have established a goal to increase retail sales by $1 million during a 12 month period. In order to achieve this outcome, marketing and contests were planned to encourage each family in the GCMS School District to spend an additional $8.52 per week at Gibson City merchants.
  
  
• 35 employees from Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services and other area retailers made use of additional skills for providing excellent customer service by completing the Customers First ... Service is Key training sponsored by the Gibson Area Chamber of Commerce. This professional development opportunity was an introductory component to prepare local businesses for the buy local campaign.
  
  
• September was Disaster Preparedness month. A simple disaster quiz was distributed to over 100 families in the Unit to create awareness prior to a major disaster. Extension staff also networked with the Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department on their Bioterrorism practice drill at the Iroquois County Fairgrounds.
  
  
• Eight elected officials representing both county boards, municipal, and township positions took time from their busy schedules to attend this year's Local Government Education programs. Continuing education credits were available for county board members who attended one or more of these teleconferences. Topics included: legal issues; the well organized meeting; major trends in demographics, economics, and technology in Illinois; entrepreneurship, collective bargaining, intergovernmental agreements, water resources, and community land use.
  
  
• 35 members of the Ford-Iroquois Agri / Tourism Network have increased their awareness of local entities and created internal networks to promote their products and businesses to local residents as well as tourists from other locations. A brochure is published twice each year with details to guide visitors in planning a weekend get-away or extended vacation.