Huntley's Economic Future From Candidates' Perspective

Huntley officials are hosting the Route 47 Developer/Broker Forum today at village hall to talk about economic development.

Specifically, the village will explain why Huntley is a reliable and sound investment. Presenters include Village Manager Dave Johnson, Pam Cumpata, McHenry County Economic Development Corporation president and Rick Francois of American Community Bank.

Huntley Patch asked candidates for village board about their opinion on economic development. Incumbent Trustee Harry Leopold did not respond, but the remaining candidates had a lot to say about the following questions: What do you think Huntley needs to do to attract new businesses to the village? What types of businesses are needed?

Rosa DeMaertelaere

To attract new businesses to the Village, Huntley needs "ADDED" economic development incentive policies and build "NEW" economic development partnerships to deal effectively with state tax increases and generate employment.

What type of business is needed?

 *Centegra Hospital

*Dialysis Center

*Family Entertainment Facilities

*Chain Restaurants (Olive Garden, Portillo's, Panera Bread, Chili's, Wendy's, etc)

 & Ethnic Restaurants (Italian, Oriental, Steak, Seafood, etc.)

*Big Box Anchor businesses that attracts other developments  (Kohl's, Target, etc.)

*Attract businesses that hire locally and spend locally thereby strengthening our local economy and producing an economic multiplier effect (Recycling Businesses, Construction Companies, etc.).

*Industrial Recruitment (attract Manufacturing Plants).

*Service related industries:  Hotels, Office Buildings, and other real estate-related activities

*Small and Medium Size Firms

*Truck Companies in the Interstate 90 Business Park Corridor

*Bakery, Gallery (galleries), offices, restaurants and other mixed-developments in the Downtown Business District

*Attract High-Tech start-up companies.

*Secure a satellite facility through McHenry County College to provide skills for labor force training, retraining, and ongoing on-the-job support and job linkages.

*Attract Entrepreneurial ventures by providing ongoing support via McHenry County College or McHenry County College satellite facility, to invest in human capital development.

*Attract community development credit unions, community development corporations (CDC's), or development loan funds that invest resources in neighborhood development ventures and provide neighborhood capital accumulation.

*Analyze credit flows to Huntley via mainstream financial institutions' Community Reinvestment Act

Attract businesses that provide employment with modest income levels as Huntley has a very educated workforce as 95.3% of our population, has either a high school degree and/or higher educational attainment (U.S. Census Bureau:  American Community Survey, 2006-2008) and can propel businesses forward thereby spurring further economic growth.

Nick Hanson

The Village of Huntley, in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce, should launch a marketing campaign. The mission would be to collectively market the village to recruit quality companies and diversify Huntley’s employment base.

Like any successful company, Huntley needs to continue to be on the cutting edge to market its products and services. When companies or residents look at locating in Huntley, they look at the community as a whole: schools, parks, housing, amenities, higher education, public safety, health, and medical care. Our goal is to collectively market our product, Huntley, to help us maintain a healthy community.

Stakeholders will develop a brand, Huntley. Ahead of the Curve, to promote a consistent identity that builds on the appeal of the community's residential, educational and business opportunities and positions the community for future success. This theme captures our community and the innovation and creativity of all key stakeholders. By leveraging marketing dollars, the stakeholders collectively promote Huntley as an outstanding place to work, live, learn, shop, visit and play.

One other area I would address in this campaign would be to see how we could help improve on our current businesses and help them gear themselves toward success. In bringing in new business, the last thing we want to do is put current businesses out of business.

Jay Kadakia

 In my view, the I-90 interchange and widening of Illinois Route 47 will play a vital role in attracting new businesses and shoppers.  The new road construction will make Huntley more accessible to other communities: Harvard, Hebron, and Gilberts and others.

(The types of businesses Huntley needs is) small-scale industries and light manufacturing companies, regional and county governmental centers, multiplex theaters, other entertainment venues and motel and hotel are badly needed in the Huntley area.

Educational needs, such as college satellite (offices), and quality restaurants are a must for the village. The village of Huntley has a plan to attract all the above by providing incentives and tax exemptions.

Niko Kanakaris

Once the Route 47 project and I-90 interchange is completed, Huntley will see a great increase to our business district throughout the town. We have already brought sewer and water capacity south of I-90 for future commercial development; therefore, we will see a lot of new businesses, industrial buildings, offices, hotels and restaurants get developed once the interchange has been constructed. Part has to do with our population not reaching over 25,000 residents. Once we have reached over that amount, prospective business owners will begin calling. We, as a village, have done a lot to bring Walmart, General RV, both Walgreens and Centegra to our area and if anyone is looking to come to our town, we will do what it takes to close the deal. In turn, the businesses will have a chance to bring more jobs to our town and local residents.

JR Westberg

Until construction is complete on Route 47 and the 47 and Interstate 90 interchange is complete, I think the focus should be on our current businesses along the Route 47 corridor and the downtown district.  With regards to attracting more business to Huntley I think only time will tell. The economy has stabilized for the time being, but as most of our residents and business owners know, Illinois passed a 66% increase in state taxes.  As a whole, Huntley already provides a business incentives so adding to that incentive would certainly be on a case-by-case basis.  On the other hand if elected, I would be concerned about giving away too many incentives so I my view would be to keep the incentives balanced for the better of the community.

In terms of the types of business...  I would consider any business if it makes sense for the overall well being of the community, but if I had my choice; I would really like to see more light industrial along I-90.  Industrial in this area would stimulate the existing retail in Huntley Outlet Mall and restaurants along Route 47, not to mention it would bring more jobs to our Huntley residents.