News Relevant to DeKalb County
Green Light for DATA Project
"Information Superhighway in DeKalb County" was the headline
in the Daily Chronicle following a February 19 announcement
by Governor Pat Quinn that $13 million in state and federal funds
had been allocated to expand high-speed internet access in the area.
Herb Kuryliw of NIU and Dan Halverson of DeKalb Fiber Optic, LLC
have spearheaded the grant application process over the past two
years with a goal of expanding broadband service to everyone. The
130 mile fiber network will provide unlimited, cost-effective high-speed
connections to about 60 institutions including schools, hospitals,
libraries, and government agencies in communities throughout the
entire county. Now is a great time for business and industry to
link with the network in an affordable way. For further information
contact: Dan Halverson, danh@dekalbfiberoptic.com.
Please Click
Here for a map of the proposed fiber service area map.
New Construction Program in ComEd
Service Territory
Financial incentives available for energy
efficiency in new construction projects
If your organization is currently working on a new construction
project or is considering it, you should know about ComEd's Smart
Ideas for Your Business New Construction service and incentives.
ComEd's New Construction service provides financial incentives and
technical assistance to encourage building owners, architects, and
engineers to surpass standard, new construction and lighting practices.
The service is available for non-residential, non-municipal new
construction and major renovation projects in the ComEd Service
territory.
For more information on the program, please visit www.comed.com/bizincentives
and click the "New Construction" link. If you have any
questions, contact Tate Walker, AIA, LEED AP at (608) 238-8276 ext.
118 or ComEdSmartIdeas@ecw.org.
For an informational flyer or application click below.
New
Construction Informational Flyer
New
Construction Application
Small Business and Entrepreneur Assistance
DeKalb County is a community that is well aware of the advantages
small business owners and entrepreneurs bring to the area. According
to the U.S. Small Business Administration website, independent firms
having less than 500 employees represent 99.7 percent of all employer
firms. They employ approximately half of all private sector employees
and have generated 60 to 80 percent of all new jobs annually during
the past 10 years. It is with this in mind that DeKalb County has
a number of resources available to these individuals and groups.
The DeKalb County organizations that are available to small business
owners and entrepreneurs include:
- Elgin Community College Small Business Development Center
- Kishwaukee College Center for Business Development and Continuing Education
- Waubonsee Community College Small Business Development Center
- DeKalb County Chapter of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
- Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center (IMEC)
They provide assistance with business planning, marketing, employee training, process improvements, technology and financing. For more information on all of these resources Click Here.
The Entrepreneurship Connection
Are you an inventor, analyst, visionary or geek with a venture
in the works? Whether the ideas are still in your head or they have
become a reality, entrepreneurial success is where creativity meets
a solid business plan. Come find this junction at The Entrepreneurship
Connection, a new program launched by the Illinois Small
Business Development Center (SBDC) at Waubonsee
Community College in connection with the Center for Business Education,
Innovation and Development (CBEiD).
On Tuesday, August 24, 2010 the Entrepreneurship Connection will
host its second event, "From Concept to Cash". The event
will be held at Waubonsee Community College on the Aurora Campus
from 8 - 11 am and feature Gerald Jackson and Joe Zlotnicki of Green
Light Industries. After the presentations, facilitated discussion
groups will gather to discuss Intellectual Property, Financing,
Beyond the Prototype and the possibility of an Entrepreneurship
Center.
The cost for each event is $10 and includes breakfast. For information
call the IL SBDC at (630) 906-4143 or Click
Here. To register go to www.waubonseetickets.com.
Kishwaukee College Center for Business Development and Continuing Education
The Kishwaukee College Center for Business Development and Continuing
Education is available to help the many members of the community,
from local business and industry to residents. Offerings at the
center include evaluative services and customized training either
at the college or on-site. Classes are held to provide personal
and professional growth as well as various series to assist individuals
and companies in staying competitive.
For more information on events or programs contact the Center for
Business Development and Continuing Education at
(815) 825-2086, ext. 2050 or email busdev@kishwaukeecollege.edu
or visit the Center online at www.kishwaukeecollege.edu/busdev.
Illinois workNet Center Releases
the July Calendar
The Illinois workNet Center aids the workforce by connecting job seekers and employers. It provides education, training and employment opportunities.
The calendar details the many events happening this month including classes, workshops, labs and discussion groups. This month free educational sessions on "Health Insurance Options" are being offered. For a copy of the calendar or flyers on the upcoming sessions, click below.
