Jackson County Business Development Corporation, Illinois
Opportunity Analysis
The Challenge
Jackson County is blessed with an abundance of economic, natural, and cultural assets. The county is bordered by the Mississippi River on the west and the hills of the Shawnee National Forest to its south. The spirit and aspirations of its residents is revealed in the historic downtowns of Carbondale and Murphysboro and on the campus of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (SIUC). These blessings have not, however, been fully translated into economic vitality for Jackson County and its citizens. Instead, communities to the east—such as Marion—have been more able to capitalize on their advantages, such as access to an interstate, and are threatening to overtake Jackson County’s position as the regional center for Southern Illinois. Despite the presence of a major university, Jackson County—much like other rural areas—has struggled to retain its younger population. Facing this important challenge with specific strategies will be imperative for Jackson County’s long-term economic vitality. The continued loss of its youth could lead, not only to “brain-drain,” but ultimately to the overall decline in the county’s workforce and population.
The Approach
The Jackson County Business Development Corporation (JCBDC) hired TIP Strategies to assist in developing a plan for leveraging Jackson County’s key opportunities. During a six-month planning process, TIP Strategies worked closely with area business, government, and academic leaders to better understand the county’s assets. The process also included a review of regional employment and demographic trends and tours of area business sites. In addition, TIP Strategies collaborated with the Office of Research Development and Administration at SIUC to better understand local opportunities for commercializing research conducted at the university.
The Outcome
Working closely with JCBDC, TIP Strategies developed a comprehensive plan for leveraging Jackson County’s greatest economic asset, SIUC. The plan identified two major university-related opportunities for local economic development: 1) local commercialization of research, especially in advanced materials and energy and 2) aviation and automotive related programs located at Southern Illinois Airport. During the course of the planning process, the State of Illinois announced it would fund a new Transportation Education Center to expand and house these programs. The plan also called for the development of a new business park adjacent to the airport to support the attraction of transportation-related businesses. In addition, TIP Strategies made recommendations for improving both internal and external perceptions of both Jackson County and SIUC to improve their positions in attracting and retaining talent. A critical part of these recommendations was leveraging the university’s extensive alumni network. After the completion of this plan, SIUC made the decision to fully develop a coordinated marketing plan designed to re-introduce prospective students to the university.
NOTE: Lee Roy Brandon, Executive Director of the Jackson Business County Development Corporation at the time of TIP’s engagement, retired in 2008.
ALTERNATE CONTACT:
Gary R. Shafer Airport Manager Southern Illinois Airport Authority P O Box 1086 Carbondale, Il 62903 618.529.1721 http://www.siairport.com
