BASIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COURSE PROVIDES IMPORTANT TRAINING OPPORTUNITY By DENNIS R. WHETSTONE Director, Illinois Department of Commerce & Community Affairs

Economic development is clearly a priority in most communities. Knowing successful economic development techniques, however, may not always be so clear. That's why, in October, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA), along with the Illinois Development Council will again sponsor the Basic Economic Development Course, designed to help economic development practitioners and community leaders help their communities become more competitive in the process of economic development.

The Basic Economic Development Course is an intensive five-day program, directed by Dr. Robert Koepke of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, and coordinated by DCCA's Rich Funderburk and Mary Renner. Among sessions to be taught are building the foundation of a competitive community, influencing investment location, supporting existing business, stimulating international trade and entrepreneurship. On Thursday, October 24, a special session will be held on "Servicing the Prospect." That session is open to anyone interested in attending, even those who cannot attend the other sessions. All sessions are taught by well-respected economic development professionals from throughout the United States, including Certified Economic Developers David Richmond of Shelbyville, Indiana; M. L. DuBrow of St. Louis; and Dean Whitaker of Holland, Michigan; consultants Kate McEnroe of McEnroe Consulting, Atlanta, Georgia; David Kolzow of Fluor Daniel Consulting, Greenville, South Carolina; and Eric Canada of Blane, Canada Ltd., Wheaton; John Quinn of the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service, Carbondale;

Doug Dougherty, executive director of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council; Michael Boer of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce; and Jeff Markland of DCCA's Office of Local Initiatives.

Participation in the Basic Economic Development Course provides graduates with a basic education that they can take back home and use in helping their communities become more successful in the economic development competition. It also is the first step toward accreditation through the American Economic Development Council because graduates become eligible to attend the Economic Development Institute through the University of Oklahoma, where they can earn the coveted Certified Economic Developer accreditation.

The October course will be the third Basic Economic Development Course DCCA has co-sponsored this year. Already, nearly 100 DCCA staff have completed the course, as well as staff from many of our economic development partners, such as Small Business Development Centers, Community Action

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Agencies and others. I feel that the course has been instrumental in helping DCCA staff to better serve you. Graduates agree. Typical of their comments: "The BEDC was excellent. I learned a lot about economic development that I really didn't know. In addition, it helped me to better understand the overall mission of the agency better than anything I had previously read or heard."

I heartily encourage economic development practitioners, local officials, chamber of commerce executives and others interested in making their communities more competitive to attend the next Basic Economic Development Course. The course will be held October 21-25 on the campus of the University of Illinois-Springfield. Registration should be made through the Office of Continuing Education, Campus Box 1084, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL 62026. For further information, contact Dr. Robert Koepke at SlU-Edwardsville, telephone 618/692-2142, or Mary Renner at DCCA, 217/785- 6097 (TDD users call 800/785-6055.) •

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