by Rebecca Motley | Mar 3, 2019 | GFP
As I’ve talked about before, the biggest threat to Stephenson County’s future prosperity is a lack of qualified workers. This stems from both our shrinking and aging population base and from a skills mismatch with our current employers. The effects of this problem...
by Rebecca Motley | Feb 8, 2019 | Journal Standard
If one thinks of it at all, some people believe the term “economic development” is defined narrowly as bringing new business to the area. Of course, that is one element. In today’s world, though, I’d submit that business retention and growth is equally important....
by Rebecca Motley | Dec 17, 2018 | Journal Standard
Some like to talk about “the good old days” when Freeport had lots of manufacturers and downtown shops and prosperity. And, those days were in fact good. But we are here in almost-2019 and need to look to the future. And that is about hope. I’m new to town, but I’ve...
by Rebecca Motley | Nov 5, 2018 | GFP
On my information-gathering tour of Stephenson County’s employers, large and small, I’ve heard a consistent theme: every business wants to attract more and higher quality workers. With national unemployment under 4% and area unemployment at 5.3% (September 2018), it...
by Rebecca Motley | Sep 19, 2018 | Journal Standard
As I continue to make the speaking rounds, I’ve gathered a few frequently asked questions, and I’d like to supply some answers in this space. • Q: How much money is being given/donated by the city of Freeport and Stephenson County to the Greater Freeport Partnership?...
by Rebecca Motley | Aug 10, 2018 | Journal Standard
I’ve spent my first few articles talking about procedures and process for this new venture called the Greater Freeport Partnership. I now want to talk about fun! During these last few weeks of summer, the partnership staff and volunteers are working hard on several...
by Rebecca Motley | Jul 21, 2018 | Journal Standard
It’s a new era for Freeport and Stephenson County: The Greater Freeport Partnership is underway! This is a bold experiment in regional cooperation that is not often seen in Illinois, which has nearly 7,000 local governments that feud and fight among themselves for an...
by Rebecca Motley | Jul 6, 2018 | Journal Standard
Thank you, Freeport and Stephenson County folks, for making me feel welcome for the first two weeks of my tenure. I am very happy to be here and am optimistic about the tremendous potential in this area of the state of Illinois. A bit about me: I am an Illinois...
