Glen Ellyn group works to attract, retain business
Glen Ellyn officials this week named a new economic development council whose members will assist with the village’s efforts to attract business.
The panel includes CEOs, business owners, brokers, attorneys, accountants and sales professionals, Village President Mark Pfefferman said in a news release.
The members, all Glen Ellyn residents, are Robert Duncan, Jodi Herbold, Grant Kief, Molly Manzella, Gary Mayo and Paul O’Neill. Village Manager Mark Franz and Village Economic Development Coordinator Martha Corner also will serve on the committee, which is being headed by Pfefferman.
Officials said the committee’s mission is “to brainstorm and follow through on Glen Ellyn’s economic development opportunities in a targeted manner.” The committee is expected to meet monthly through June.
Village officials say it’s the latest effort they’ve implemented to improve efforts to attract and retain businesses.
Last fall, Pfefferman appointed a three-member business process improvement team to work on streamlining the village’s approval process for new businesses. It is chaired by Alex Demos, who is running unopposed for village president in the April 9 election.
The village also has tried to bring more economic development duties in house in the past year, by discontinuing funding to the not-for-profit Glen Ellyn Economic Development Corporation and creating the economic development coordinator position to serve as the point person for the village’s business recruitment and retention efforts.
Also last year, the village board approved creation of the village’s first tax increment financing district for the downtown area to help fund economic development projects.
And in 2011, officials began streamlining the application process for businesses to receive facade and interior building improvement grants.