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OERD
| Community and Business Services
projects
include assistance with:
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Enterprise development |
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Feasibility studies |
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Business planning |
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Cooperative development |
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Business retention and expansion |
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Downtown revitalization |
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Community development |
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Recreation and tourism planning |
PROJECTS
AND INITIATIVES
Illinois
Aquaculture TechSERV -The
Illinois Aquaculture Tech SERV Association was established
in January 2005 to expand income and job opportunities in
Illinois by promoting and facilitating the development and
expansion of sustainable aquaculture enterprises. The Association
received a grant from the Illinois Department of Agriculture
which will enable technical services to continue through June
2006. Technical services offered include on site selection
and farm design; stocking density strategies; water quality
sampling; feed selection and application; health and pre-harvest
quality control inspections and training; disease diagnostics
and treatment; and marketing assistance.
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During
2005, over 141 contact locations were assisted. The Association
staff assisted with many aspects of aquaculture production,
the most requested being farm management, quality control,
and product marketing. Illinois aquaculture products include
Hybrid Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Rainbow
Trout, Tilapia, and Prawns. Over 340,000 pounds of fish and
7,400 pounds of prawns were produced in Illinois with a total
value of $916,250. These Illinois aquaculture products were
distributed to markets in St. Louis, Chicago, and Canada.
Aquaculture
Specialist, Paul Hitchens, may be contacted by calling 618-453-5590
or by e-mail--hitchens@siu.edu.
Economic
Development Conference
-OERD
and the University of Illinois Extension co-hosted the tenth
annual conference, "Enhancing Southern Illinois"
at the John A. Logan College Conference Center. The conference
followed the SBJ Leadership Breakfast. The conference included
sessions on site selection by Mark Sweeney; an update on the
Community Audit which was conducted through the Southern Illinois
Workforce Investment Board; a round table discussion lead
by SIU Chancellor Walter Wendler on "What three things,
if accomplished in the next year, will provide the greatest
economic impact for southern Illinois?"; IMEC President
Bob Weinstein presented "Retention: Innovate or Evacuate"
addressing the impact of plant shutdowns and manufacturing
job losses in southern Illinois; and an inspiring and energetic
presentation by Rebecca Ryan of Next Generation Consulting
discussing "Live First - Work Second: The New American
Ethic and its Effect on Employers and Communities."
The
eleventh annual conference is tentatively scheduled for September
21, 2006 at the Rend Lake Resort.
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