Grant Will Provide Training for 2,200 Employees at 35 Companies

CHICAGO – Continuing to invest in the skills of Illinois’ working men and women, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced a $550,000 workforce training grant to the McHenry County College Center for Corporate Training, which is based in McHenry.  This grant will help train 2,200 individuals from at least 35 companies across McHenry County.  This funding comes as a part of Opportunity Returns, the Governor’s pro-active, comprehensive economic development strategy designed to spur economic growth and create jobs across the region and throughout Illinois.  Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Jack Lavin joined McHenry County College President Dr. Walter J. Packard and State Representative Jack Franks and other local leaders today to talk about the importance of the grant at McHenry County College.

“There’s no greater resource for any business than its people, and there’s no better way to expand our economy than by investing in the skills of our workers.  We have a very strong partnership with McHenry County College and by making these kinds of investments, we are helping companies across the region compete at home and across the world and create more high-paying jobs,” Gov. Blagojevich said.   

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is administering the grant, which is being awarded through the Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP), to train employees in quality-ISO-safety training and technical/workplace skills.  ETIP is a new generation of employer-focused, customized training grants created through the “21st Century Jobs” Training Initiative, which reimburses companies and organizations for up to 50 percent of the costs of training their employees.  The Governor has previously provided $790,000 to McHenry County College for training through this program.

“McHenry County College is very grateful to Governor Blagojevich and the State of Illinois.  The ETIP program provides essential support to manufacturers that ensures companies have access to the highest level of workforce training necessary to remain competitive in today’s market,” McHenry County College President Dr. Walter Packard said.

“Governor Blagojevich and Director Lavin are to be commended for their commitment to McHenry County College.  This grant will help keep McHenry County workers well trained and able to compete in the global marketplace,” said State Representative Jack Franks (D-Woodstock)

“Gov. Blagojevich and I have been committed to enhancing the skills of our workforce and supporting the assets that are the most desirable to business.  The ETIP program continues to serve as an enormous resource for training providers like McHenry County College, which is helping area companies increase productivity, reduce costs and enhance competitiveness in today’s ultra-competitive, global economy,” DCEO Director Jack Lavin said. 

Gov. Blagojevich recently announced that Illinois added more new jobs than any other state in July.  In July, Illinois led the nation in monthly job growth by creating 31,100 new jobs.  This is the second time this year Illinois has created more new jobs than any other state, which has never happened before in recorded history.  Illinois also led the nation in job growth in April.  The total number of new jobs created this year is 76,400, which is the best start to a year since 1998.  Since January 2004, Illinois has gained more than 151,000 new jobs. 

It was just announced today that the Illinois unemployment rate dropped to 4.4 percent, which is its lowest level since October 2000.  It has remained at or below the national rate for five consecutive months, which is the first time this has happened in seven years.  The state has dropped below the national unemployment rate for the third time this year, which is the first time this has occurred in eight years.  The unemployment rate in McHenry County has declined from 6.6 percent in January 2003 to 3.4 percent in August 2006.  The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security compiled these statistics.  

Site Selection Magazine also ranked the Chicagoland area the top metro region for new and expanded corporate facilities in 2005, while Illinois was the third state in the nation in this category.  Business Facilities Magazine named Illinois the top state for biotech growth last year.   

Gov. Blagojevich’s Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois’ history.  Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn’t work, the Governor has divided the state into 10 regions – each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges.  Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses.  It is about upgrading the skills of the local workforce, increasing the access to capital, opening new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs.  Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of Illinois reach its economic potential.