MORTON PROGRESS
The Latest News from the Morton EDC
June/July 2017
 
EDC Connect Lunch
Join us on Friday July 28 from noon - 12:45 at our Morton EDC office (415 W. Jefferson Street) for a casual round-table lunch with informative information about the EDC, projects, resources available and data to support continued growth of Morton and business environment.

EDC Connect, a monthly opportunity for EDC Investors to engage first hand with other Investors, board members and CEO to build awareness and collaboration.

Please join us, RSVP to [email protected]
Lunch will be provided. 
 
Morton MIX Lunch

Presentation: An Innovative Strategy for Building a Better Business   

Randon Gettys from Startup GP will introduce guests to the Business Model Canvas and how to use it to grow your business, be more effective in a corporate environment, and/or evaluate opportunities in your personal life (organizing volunteer work, evaluating a side-hustle opportunity, etc.). It's an essential first step to achieving business growth along with professional and personal goals. Join Randon, the Morton EDC and other business leaders to learn about this important resource. Roundtable discussions with industry experts following the presentation will help you apply the tool to your own work and life endeavors.

Date: Tuesday, August 1
Time: 11:30 am - 1 pm
Place: Morton Library
Speaker: RandonGettys, Startup GP
Cost: $10 Chamber Members; $15 Non-Members (includes lunch)

 
Morton EDC Investor Survey
In an effort to keep communications open between your company and the Morton EDC we're developing a short survey that will include the following questions:

Does your company have:

Open positions to fill?

New hires to announce?
Capital projects in the works?
Business successes to celebrate?
Business Transition/location assistance needs?
Or challenges on any level we can help address?
 
Answers to these questions will alert us to developments in your company and will prompt a follow up phone call or visit to further address, celebrate, assist your needs.  There are a host of resources available to support businesses with the above topics and we want to ensure your company enjoys the assistance available to it.
 
If you'd like to tell us now, write [email protected]!  Or if you'd like to compile your thoughts, we'll provide a link in future e-mails so you can reply whenever there is a development.  Be thinking about the information you would want to share.  We look forward to keeping in touch! 
 
Growing Local Businesses
EDC logoA Morton Momentum Goal is to meet with 40 businesses a year
and assist with any concerns identified in those meetings.  We enjoy the opportunity to learn more about the operations of our Morton businesses and to connect them with resources, other businesses and celebrate their successes.

A few of the businesses we've had the pleasure to visit in the past months include:
  • Yinlun, USA - Yinlun is China's leading manufacturer of automobile radiators and high efficient heat exchange and exhaust system solutions.  They make auto radiators for off road, highway, and mining vehicles.  Their US sales recently reached $800 million and the company has significant business aspirations with US expansion plans being considered. 
  • Iron-A-Way, LLC - Iron-A-Way and Premier Storage Systems have joined forces in Morton and will begin producing a new product called Emerg-A-Center at the Morton facility.  Premier Storage Systems will be investing in new machines and equipment for the Morton facility to build the Emerg-A-Center product, and, if the product takes off, there is the possibility to hire additional workers. Along with the new product line, Premier Storage Systems was recently acquired by CIGNET, a significant holding company of innovative products.
  • Morton Automatic Electric - This local company builds data test systems for manufacturing, heavy machines and trucking companies.  They run failure tests on components, machines and systems.  Their work has applicability to the other industries in the area and the company is exploring growth in new sectors too. They currently have office space available for rent next to their facility.  Contact Morton Automatic Electric for more details.
  •  American Tire Distributors - the local manager commutes between Morton and Des Moines Iowa locations.  They signed a 10 year lease in their current location and foresee being there for a long time.  They sell tires to retailers and pride themselves on accuracy of inventory, speed of delivery, and their business support services.  The company is headquartered in North Carolina and liked that the property in Morton could accommodate expansion in the future if it was needed.
  • J.J. Braker & Sons, Inc.   JJ Braker & Sons is a local masonry contractor that recently celebrated their 50th year in business.  They specialize in commercial construction and serve an 80 mile radius around Morton.  The owners of JJ Braker, Brad Braker and Tim Braker, along with Chris Tyra acquired the building construction division from Midwest Companies in June of 2014, and re-named the company Midwest Construction Professionals.  MCP provides construction management, owners representative, and general contracting services throughout central Illinois.  MCP's focus is in the commercial construction market.
     
We look forward to a visit with you sometime in the future too.  If you have any EDC questions or concerns in the meantime, give us a call at 309-263-2491.  We look forward to hearing from you.
 
Recruiting Morton Mentors
The Morton Mentor Program matches Morton CUSD 709 High School students with business leaders willing to share professional knowledge, skills, contacts, and resources. Through these matches, Mentors share their experience, guidance, and encouragement for students to develop their career
pathway.

Who can participate:

Working professionals, company leaders, and/or trusted retirees with access to company facilities and a willingness to share from their experiences.

Applications due August 31, 2017.

Next Steps:
  • Read more details about the program here.  
  • Apply online here.
  • Questions? call Lenora Fisher or Leigh Ann Brown at 309-263-2491 or write [email protected]
 
Morton Out & About
Here's a highlight of additional activities planned in Morton next week.  There is a little something to do for everyone.
We look forward to seeing you out and about!
 
Greater Peoria EDC News and Resources
Our regional Greater Peoria Economic Development Council hosts a range of activities and programs that support the entire region.  Read their June 2017 newsletter here!
 
Morton Economic Development Council                                                           Leadership Circle 
415 West Jefferson Street village of morton
Morton, IL  61550
309-263-2491