Regional Economic Development with Carly McCrory-McKay & Chris Setti
On episode #32 of the Building BN podcast, CEO Patrick Hoban talks about many facets of economic development with two economic development professionals from Central Illinois: Chris Setti, CEO, Greater Peoria Economic Development Council, and Carly McCrory-McKay, executive director, Champaign County Economic Development Corporation.
Setti started a career in economic development nearly 15 years ago, working for the city of Peoria. He admits he didn’t know a lot about economic development when he applied for a job he saw advertised in the local newspaper. Over his career, he has worked in a variety of positions in public service, including economic development specialist, assistant city manager, director of economic development, and, now, as CEO of the Greater Peoria EDC. McCrory-McKay got her start in economic development while still in high school. She had an opportunity as a student to be involved in a pilot project implementing techniques developed by Jack Schultz — author of Boomtown USA: The 7 ½ Keys to Big Success in Small Towns — to attract industry and new business to her area. McCrory-McKay said, “I got involved in high school. And I have always said that I never really left economic development since then.” She has worked at the Champaign County EDC since 2012.
The Greater Peoria Economic Development Council serves five counties in Central Illinois: Logan, Mason, Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford. Setti explains, on their website, what the mission of the Greater Peoria EDC is:
“Greater Peoria EDC harnesses the efforts and resources of its public and private partners to work collectively to accomplish economic development goals that would be difficult to accomplish individually. Greater Peoria EDC pools and leverages resources from a broad set of diverse stakeholders to ensure the entire region is successful. Together, we are more effective at sharing our story, taking advantage of opportunities and voicing issues of a collective concern. Together, we maximize our chances of success.”
For more information about the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council or for assistance accessing programs available to businesses in their area, visit their website at https://greaterpeoriaedc.org/, contact their offices at (309) 495-5910 or email info@greaterpeoriaedc.org.
The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation serves over 20 communities within Champaign County, including Champaign, Urbana, Mahomet, Rantoul, and Savoy. From their website,
“The Champaign County EDC works diligently every day to make our county’s economic future as bright as it can be through robust, resilient, and inclusive actions that strengthen our local economy and quality of life… The EDC works to improve the economic well-being of all Champaign County through efforts that entail job creation, job retention, tax base enhancements, small business development, and promotion of quality of life, and brings together community partners to support economic development by aligning interests through productive relationships, open dialogue, and advocacy efforts.”
For more information about the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation or for assistance accessing programs available to businesses in their area, visit their website at https://www.champaigncountyedc.org, call their offices at (217) 359-6261 or email edc@champaigncountyedc.org.
