2011 Rockforward! Annual Report

Rockforward! Creating the FutureYear we want Four Now

Rockford Area Economic Development Council

Annual Report 2011 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page 1 Letter from Chairman of the Board and President

Page 2 Success Stories for the Rockford Region

Page 4 Measuring the Success of Rockforward!

Page 6 Rockforward! Strategy: Creating a Thriving Business Climate

Page 7 Rockforward! Strategy: Targeted Marketing & Recruitment

Page 8 Rockforward! Strategy: World Class Business Infrastructure

Page 9 Rockforward! Strategy: Workforce Development

Page 10 Rockforward! Strategy: Emerging Opportunities Fund

Page 11 Rockford Area Aerospace Network (RAAN)

Page 12 Additional Programs and Information Available

Page 13 RAEDC Solutions Teams and Committees

Page 14 2011 Board of Directors and Staff

Page 15 2011 Rockforward! Investors

Page 16 Rockforward2! Dear Investors and Stakeholders,

Thank you for your generous support and committed leadership as investors of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council (RAEDC). RAEDC investors are comprised of nearly 200 private-sector companies, public-sector entities and labor and trade unions, business and quasi-governmental organizations, educational institutions and nonprofit agencies. These groups, along with the collective efforts of our region’s team of professionals and elected officials, are the driving forces behind our many accomplishments in 2011.

In May of 2007, the RAEDC Board of Directors approved Rockforward!, a five-year strategic plan for 2008-2012. Rockforward!’s five powerful strategies challenge the RAEDC to influence change in areas that take advantage of our strengths, overcome our weaknesses and invest in opportunities while mitigating threats.

Over the past four years, the RAEDC has been implementing and continuously improving the Rockforward! strategic plan; we know that Rockforward! results impact the region, making it stronger and better than it was before. In just over four years, our results have been impressive. But for the Rockforward! plan, the results we have achieved would not be possible. All of this is made possible by you, our investors, and the climate of collaboration we create together.

In this fourth Annual Report since the launch of Rockforward!, you will find profiles of investments made in 2011 by existing and new employers in the Rockford Region, along with specific results from each of the five primary strategies of Rockforward! In addition, you’ll read recognition of the private- and public-sector organizations that drive the work of the RAEDC through investment and volunteer leadership.

Now, more than ever, we must align our strategies, pool our resources and work together to sustain and strengthen the economic health of our region. We are grateful to those of you who make the choice to invest in the RAEDC. Your continued support ensures that our region is moving forward.

Together, we can create the future we want now. Together, we can Rockforward!

Sincerely,

Bill Roop RAEDC Chairman of the Board Alpine Bank President & CEO

Janyce Fadden RAEDC President

1 SUCCESS STORIES FOR THE ROCKFORD REGION

Our regional partners and the RAEDC work on a variety of projects each year, ranging from business retention, expansion and attraction; property development; workforce development; foreign trade and entrepreneurial growth. The collective efforts reported herein is the work of our region’s team of professionals and elected officials attracting and retaining businesses.

Join us in celebrating the following 2011 regional success stories generating new wealth for our community:

Accelerated Machine Design & Engineering, a custom machinery/metalworking start-up, expanded by 2,000 square feet and added seven jobs.

AIM Distribution moved to a larger facility and invested approximately $200,000 to help fuel future growth.

American Aluminum Extrusion Company bought a 277,000 sq. ft. vacant facility in Roscoe. Job creation is expected to exceed 120. The RAEDC helped the Village of Roscoe create a strategy that secured over $750,000 in grant funding for this project from the State of Illinois for infrastructure.

B/E Aerospace broke ground on its new production and development facility in the Rockford Logistics Park. The 40,000 sq. ft. facility required an investment of several million dollars and will result in 70 full-time positions. B/E Aerospace is the first EIGERlab client to expand directly into a build-to- suit structure. Pictured above, bottom right.

New owners are investing over $1 Million in Chiquita Food Market on South Main Street. This investment is expected to generate 70 new jobs in the community.

Crusader Community Health opened a 14,000 sq. ft. facility in Loves Park. The $4 Million investment will bring 15 jobs to the new location. Pictured above, upper left.

DLM Manufacturing Inc. expanded to allow for additional manufacturing capacity. The $750,000 investment is expected to add up to seven jobs. Pictured above, upper right.

Eclipse, Inc. announced the re-shoring of work from India to Rockford, the corporate headquarters. 2 The expansion includes a $1 Million investment and the creation of up to 30 jobs. SUCCESS STORIES FOR THE ROCKFORD REGION

Fastenal announced a $3.5 Million investment in a 44,000 sq. ft. expansion at its facility in Loves Park that is expected to add 20 jobs.

Field Fastener Supply Company constructed a 40,000 sq. ft. expansion of its corporate headquarters in Machesney Park that is expected to add 15 jobs. Pictured below, upper left

Illinois Growth Enterprises and a partner agency located a call center in the EIGERlab. Job creation is expected to exceed 30 employees. Pictured below, right.

Leading Edge Hydraulics acquired a 63,000 sq. ft. building to accommodate expansion efforts within its business. LEH invested nearly $1 Million dollars in the expansion, which is expected to generate 40 new jobs within the community.

Lyonscg, an e-commerce company, re-shored approximately 10 jobs from Kiev, Ukraine, to the EIGERlab, and continued to expand throughout 2011. The company chose the EIGERlab because of its IT capabilities and flexibility.

NCO Group announced 400 new jobs at its Rockford facility to accommodate growth in its call center operations.

Noark Electronics Co, LTD, headquartered in Shanghai, China, opened an office in Rockford with the anticipation of it becoming Noark’s North American headquarters, housing sales, marketing, warehousing and R&D.

Olson Aluminum Castings invested over $1.5 Million to increase its manufacturing space by 15,000 square feet. Olson anticipates seven new positions as a result of this expansion.

Railroad Construction Equipment invested $750,000 in an 11,000 sq. ft. expansion, which is expected to add 15 jobs at its Rockford location.

Rockford Toolcraft, Inc. invested $2 Million in a 40,000 sq. ft. expansion, which is expected to add 25 jobs. Pictured above, left.

Rubloff Development Group, Inc. made a $10 Million investment in the redevelopment of Machesney Park Mall. The project employed up to 205 individuals in the construction industry.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs began construction on its new primary-care clinic. The 30,000 sq. ft. clinic is expected to open in 2012, and will be located in Rockford.

Venture One Real Estate LLC constructed a 100,000 sq. ft. build-to-suit warehouse facility for Danfoss Power Electronics at its Loves Park Corporate Center location. The expansion is expected to create 25 jobs. 3 YEAR FOUR AND COUNTING...

Measuring the Success of Rockforward! The goals of Rockforward! are methodically tracked through numerous metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of the RAEDC’s marketing and recruitment activities. These include: H net new primary jobs and jobs recruited H population growth H per capita income H economic development exposure H international exports H development ready land parcels H Gross Metropolitan Product (GMP) increase

The RAEDC utilizes a wide array of statistical resources to produce these metrics, including the Illinois Department of Employment Security, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Northern Illinois University, and our own Voice of the Customer surveys. Evaluating 2011 Results Over the last four years, our results have been impressive. But for the Rockforward! plan, the results we have achieved would not be possible. Due to the effect of the Great Recession, an annual fixed rate of growth no longer applies. However, our results indicate our region is working together to achieve our goals despite this unprecedented economic downturn. First, job growth continued for the second-straight year in the Rockford Metropolitan Area. The overall number of jobs increased 1.3%, with the largest gains in manufacturing (+8.4%), transportation/ warehousing/utilities (+4.7%), professional and business services (+5.4%), and education and health services (+1.3%). Rockford’s job growth overall was greater that the overall growth rate of the state, and Rockford’s growth in the manufacturing sector more than tripled the state’s rate. Second, our region’s Gross Metropolitan Product increased by 3.5% to $11.1 Billion in 2010, the most recent year available from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The State of Illinois experienced 1.9% growth and the U.S. experienced 3.0% growth during the same period.

Rockford Region Jobs in 12-Month Moving Average, 2011

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Non-Manufacturing Manufacturing

Source: Illinois Department of Employment Security 4 YEAR FOUR AND COUNTING...

We can also point to results from 2011 client projects managed by our regional partners and the RAEDC. Thanks to your support our region was able to achieve these results in this challenging economic climate.

As estimated by our clients, 1,770 new jobs will be created in the Rockford Region by existing and new employers, $53.6 Million of capital investment will be made, and 1.1 Million square feet of space will be added in the coming years.

Total New Jobs from Companies Locating New or Expanded Business to Area 2500 JOBS 2000

1500

Jobs 1000

500

0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Total New Investment from Companies Locating New or Expanded Business to Area $120

CAPITAL $100

$80

$60

CAPITAL $40

Shown Shown in Millions $20

$0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Total Square Feet to be Built from Companies Locating New or Expanded Business to Area 1.2

1.0

SQUARE FEET 0.8 0.6

0.4 SQUARE FEET SQUARE

Shown Shown in Millons 0.2

0.0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 5 ROCKFORWARD! STRATEGY: CREATING A THRIVING BUSINESS CLIMATE Growing our Business Base with Retention and Expansion Opportunities

H Through a formal partnership with Rock Valley College, transformed the region’s entrepreneurial system by acquiring the EIGERlab Entrepreneurship Center and initiating incubation and accelerator programs.

H Received the $11.8 Million State of Ingenuity grant, the first Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant awarded in our region in more than 25 years. This bi-state grant will grow entrepreneurship through the Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin Region.

H Engaged our local business community through 125 Voice of the Customer interviews, and with 15 meetings with executives of corporations headquartered outside our region.

H Launched the region’s first Illinois Small Business Development Center International Trade Center (ITC), focused on increasing exports.

H Connected local supply chains via matchmaking events with Boeing, Delta Hawk, GE Aviation, Navistar, Nippon Sharyo and Talgo, as well as trade delegations from China, Israel, Korea, Spain and Sweden.

H Created a new Commercialization Team (C-Team), a holistic approach to counseling and collaborative assistance for regional clients.

H Coordinated the fifth annual FastPitch competition, held at NIU-Rockford with 49 participants (including nine student teams) from the Stateline Region.

H Added Computer-Aided Design, reverse engineering and engineering analysis services to the standard rapid prototyping service at EIGERlab. Initiated a rebranding campaign for the new Center for Product Development (C4PD).

David Barr, owner of Lyonscg which is located at the EIGERlab. Winnebago County Board Chairman Scott 6 Christiansen at the ITC Press Conference ROCKFORWARD! STRATEGY: TARGETED MARKETING AND RECRUITMENT Promoting the Rockford Area’s Assets Nationally and Internationally

H Reinforced a recognized and respected global economic development brand.

H Expanded the targeted communications program to include social media, adding it to our newsletters, e-blasts and news releases as another mechanism to reach out to our actively maintained database, which grew to exceed 10,000 global contacts.

H Continued pursuit of foreign direct investment through strategic relationships with The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the consulates in Chicago, international chambers of commerce and international business service providers.

H Developed a systematic approach to generating high-quality, industry-specific proposals containing targeted research and industry-specific regional data.

H Actively marketed the region via sales call programs in Chicago, China and Sweden, and trade shows, such as the Association of Industrial Real Estate Brokers (AIRE) Annual Developers Showcase and National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Meeting & Convention.

H Expanded the aerospace cluster development strategy to include additional workforce development initiatives, such as the $1.8 Million Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge grant and attendance at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Job Fair in Daytona Beach, Florida. Planned for additional brand- and business-development marketing for Rockford Area Aerospace Network and RAEDC investor companies.

H The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Rockford Chamber of Commerce and the RAEDC coordinated the Rockford Casino Coalition, the City of Rockford’s PR campaign to secure a casino in Rockford.

H Led the I-39 Logistics Corridor Association’s initiatives to market the properties and infrastructure assets of the I-39 Corridor to potential developers.

Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey with business leaders Community partners at the Jobs and Innovation during the China Trade Mission Accelerator Challenge Grant Press Conference. 7 ROCKFORWARD! STRATEGY: WORLD CLASS BUSINESS INFRASTRUCTURE Contributing to an Infrastructure That Will Take Us Into the Future

H Aggressively pursued additional grant funding for infrastructure to leverage our investor communities’ contributions to job-generating projects.

H Assembled a comprehensive internal database of industrial sites and buildings in the Rockford Region.

H Rockford Region Economic Development District co-hosted the MSA’s first Regional Sustainability Summit at NIU-Rockford, with nearly 150 people in attendance. Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning Executive Director Randy Blankenhorn and Boston Indicators Project Senior Director Charlotte Kahn gave presentations on the benefits of regional sustainability and measuring a region’s economic, social and environmental well-being.

H Hosted the fourth annual Tri-State Alliance Summit, an event focused on infrastructure initiatives in the region shared by Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. Congressman John Mica, Chairman of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, provided the keynote address to over 150 attendees.

H Implemented the Voice of the Client, a new tool that will generate comprehensive information about available properties. This initiative is being led by the Business Attraction Solutions Team.

H With the assistance of our Legislature and elected officials, the Illinois Industrial Jobs Recovery Act was extended for a year, resulting in more than 3,500 acres of industrial land being put in place by seven municipal governments for our region’s current and future needs.

H Awarded $1.7 Million in grants including: Congressman Donald Manzullo’s earmark to the River District for downtown business development and attraction, a DCEO grant for a Civic Design Center in downtown Rockford, a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant to develop the area’s first Regional Sustainability Plan, Workforce Investment Board Labor Shed Analysis Update, an EDA Economic Adjustment Grant and hosting of an Illinois SBDC International Trade Center.

Tri-State Alliance Summit featuring Congressman John Mica. 8 ROCKFORWARD! STRATEGY: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Fostering a Competitive Workforce

H Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University announced it’s plans to add three engineering-related programs to the Rockford Worldwide campus.

H Introduced the region’s first National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) Credentials program, providing entry-level Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machine Training Program via TechWorks, a part of EIGERlab.

H Continued to partner with community organizations to implement downtown Rockford City Market, an initiative to create and expand small business.

H The Boone and Winnebago County Labor Shed Study was updated, and concludes that there are more than 47,000 potential employees available locally for new or expanding businesses.

H Successfully completed Kidworks, a two week summer camp targeted at 13-15 year old students. This program, held at EIGERlab, is receiving national exposure. The camp included one week of CNC training and one week of entrepreneurship training.

H TechWorks has contracted with Winnebago County, the City of Rockford and Rock Valley College to offer loans to Fast-Track CNC machine training students.

H Graduated 45 NIMS credentialed students in 2011 through TechWorks training, with an 80% job-offer rate and a 75% hire rate. Project to double the number of FastTrack graduates in 2012.

Embry-Riddle Executive Search Committee with Rockford Area Business Leaders 9 and Elected Officials ROCKFORWARD! STRATEGY: EMERGING OPPORTUNITIES FUND Invested $865,400 to Leverage Positive Change for the Region’s Future

The Rockforward! Leadership Council manages the Emerging Opportunities Fund that is designed for discretionary investment in mutually agreed-upon, forward-thinking initiatives that will leverage positive change for economic development of the Rockford Region. Each year, up to $175,000 from the RAEDC’s annual budget is placed into the Emerging Opportunities Fund. Leadership Council members met quarterly in 2011 to generate investment proposals, deliberate about projects and make investment decisions.

Projects funded from 2008-2011 include:

H Advanced renewable energy solutions at Freedom Field

H Improved educational opportunities through Alignment Rockford, Charter School Initiative in District 205, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Rockford Area Career Clearinghouse

H Support of the creation of a downtown redevelopment plan led by Rock River Development Partnership

H Increased regional government advocacy and lobbying efforts

10 Rockford Area Aerospace Network (RAAN) is the Rockford Region’s Aerospace Industry Cluster Development Strategy. RAAN is a committee of the RAEDC and offers a platform for collaboration among local aerospace companies. The aerospace industry is comprised of companies that produce military, commercial and space products and parts. Aircraft overhaul, rebuilding, parts, distribution and services are included.

All companies located in the Rockford Area that supply products or services to aerospace companies are inherently part of our regional aerospace cluster. Companies in a cluster may be competitors yet are interdependent because of common needs, services or supplies; bonded by the region’s position of dominance in the industry. In addition, a cluster includes educational institutions, nonprofits, professional businesses and governments that directly support the cluster.

Operating within an industry cluster can increase innovation, efficiency, productivity and competitiveness by providing access to a larger pool of suppliers; business development opportunities; skilled workers; networking opportunities; shared information on common issues; and specialized support services, such as workforce recruitment, support infrastructure and research and training programs.

Driven by private industry, RAAN meets regularly to discuss collaboration opportunities related to business climate, innovation and technology and workforce development. Additionally, the committee participates as a group and shares costs at trade shows and conferences, internationally and domestically, to promote their companies, the local supply chain and the Rockford Area. RAAN has jointly hosted supplier fairs with Congressman Donald Manzullo, bringing international OEMs to meet our regional supply chain. Sharing best practices and working as a team to further our local aerospace cluster has provided great value to members of RAAN.

In 2012, RAAN will participate in annual trade shows, including: H SEA Conference, March 19-21, Irvine, CA H MRO 2012, April 3 – 5, Dallas, TX H Farnborough International Airshow, July 9-15, Farnborough, UK H EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, July 23-29. Oshkosh, WI H SEA Conference, July 25-26, Lincolnshire, IL H NBAA 2012, October 30 - November 1, Orlando, FL H SEA Conference, November 6-8, Indian Wells, CA

In 2012, RAAN will organize two supplier symposiums targeting the following companies: H Woodward Supplier Symposium April 4, Rockford, IL. H DeltaHawk Supplier Symposium, (TBD, summer). Rockford, IL.

The first step of becoming a member of RAAN is to meet with Mary Cacioppi, Director ofInvestor Relations of the RAEDC, to discuss investment in the RAEDC. 11 ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS AND INFORMATION AVAILABLE

Investor Events Three Investor Events were hosted by the RAEDC in 2011, which included networking time and updates on recent initiatives. The first quarter event showcased the work of the RAEDC and highlighted many ways for the business community to become engaged in the work of the organization. The second quarter event featured author Ted Fishman, who discussed his book Shock of Gray. In his presentation, Fishman discussed how Rockford fares in the race to attract a younger workforce and what opportunities lay ahead for its aging population. The Annual Meeting and Dinner held in the fourth quarter included an in-depth update of Rockforward!’s progress and plans for the future, presented by RAEDC President Janyce Fadden. To receive information about upcoming events, call 815.987.8118.

President’s Circle The Rockforward! President’s Circle meets to discuss and take action on economic development priorities and strategies. RAEDC investors contributing $25,000 or more per year become members of the President’s Circle, which met four times in 2011.

Quick Reference Guide The RAEDC maintains a Rockford Area Quick Reference Guide that includes regional data for the Rockford MSA, including location information. It features industries; population and income statistics; access to markets; labor market characteristics; a list of major employers; and healthcare, telecommunications and education resources. The guide is available online in the Resource Library at rockfordil.com or upon request at the RAEDC offices.

Newsletters The RAEDC publishes a variety of newsletters for targeted audiences:

H Developments is a quarterly newsletter that highlights business, industry and real estate news in the Rockford Area.

H Global Relations is an electronic newsletter targeted to the Chinese community, both local and abroad, and contains updates on Rockford Region development opportunities.

H Hälsningar is an electronic newsletter that is targeted to Swedish-related businesses, cultural/ historical organizations and governmental agencies.

H Rising Star is an electronic newsletter that is targeted to national and regional site selectors and brokers and contains the latest development opportunities in the Rockford Area.

Contact the RAEDC at 815.987.8118 if you would like to be added to any of our newsletter mailing lists.

Rockforward! Creating the Future we want Now 12 RAEDC SOLUTIONS TEAMS & COMMITTEES

The Rockford Area Economic Development Council Board of Directors created Solutions Teams to help achieve the organization’s mission and goals. Committee contributions are extremely helpful, as members advise from their unique perspectives, broaden considerations, and lead implementation of Rockforward! strategies and tactics. Volunteering through a committee is a great way to get involved with the work of the RAEDC and is recommended as a precursor to serving on the Board.

Business Attraction Solutions Team The work of the Business Attraction Solutions Team (BA) is primarily focused on developing international business relationships, with a special focus on Sweden and China. By building stronger international associations, the RAEDC can help businesses establish partnerships and joint-ventures, obtain licensing, and open the door to new markets. The BA team is also focused on increasing the amount of business park property in the region and is working to extend regional partnerships, including the Tri-State Alliance, I-39 Logistics Corridor Association, and the Illinois Development Council. Steve Bois, Rockford Area REALTORS, serves as the Chair of the BA Solutions Team

Business & Community Relations Solutions Team The role of the Business & Community Relations Solutions Team (BCR) is to actively promote the RAEDC to both current and prospective investors. The BCR team oversees outward marketing of Rockforward! strategies and economic development messages to regional employers, community leaders, and citizens. Linda Gerber, Rock River Valley Blood Center, serves as the Chair of the BCR Solutions Team.

Business Retention & Expansion Solutions Team The role of the Business Retention & Expansion Solutions Team (BRE) is to learn opportunities for improvement from existing employers, strengthen the workforce pipeline, and increase awareness and participation in continuous improvement programs. Additionally, the BRE team is working to develop and foster a supportive entrepreneurial environment. Gary Marzorati, Williams Charles, servers as the Chair of the BRE Solutions Team.

Education Committee The RAEDC formed an Education Committee in 2008 comprised of education leaders and private sector executives with the role to connect Rockford Area businesses with our educational system. Brad Long, Building Trades, serves as the Chair of the Education Committee.

If you are interested in serving on one of the RAEDC’s Solutions Teams or Committees, please contact Mary Cacioppi, Director of Investor Relations, at 815-969-4259.

13 2011 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF

Executive Committee Directors CON’T Chairman of the Board: Glen Turpoff, Northern Illinois Building Contractors Association William C. Roop, Alpine Bank Steve Ward, Riverside Community Bank Treasurer: Dave Whitmore, IronWorkers Local Union 498 Joel Sjostrom, Sjostrom & Sons, Inc. Ex-Officio Voting Immediate Past Chair: Mayor Dale Adams, Village of Rockton John Chadwick, WREX-TV Einar Forsman, Rockford Chamber of Commerce Director at Large: Steve Graceffa, Rock River Water Reclamation David Schertz, OSF St. Anthony Medical Center John Groh, Rockford Area Conv. & Visitors Bureau Director at Large: Frank Haney, Next Rockford Dr. Jack Becherer, Rock Valley College Mayor Dave A. Krienke, Village of Roscoe Director at Large: Mayor Darryl Lindberg, City of Loves Park Rena Cotsones, Northern Illinois University Dr. Martin Lipsky, U of I College of Medicine Leadership Council Chair: Mayor Tom Strickland, Village of Machesney Park Dr. William Gorski, SwedishAmerican Health System Greater Rockford Airport Authority Business Attraction Solutions Team Chair: Steve Bois, Rockford Area REALTORS Ex-Officio Nonvoting Business Retention & Expansion Solutions Team Chair: David Young, Northwest Illinois Development Alliance Executive Director Gary Marzorati, William Charles Ltd. Reid Montgomery, City of Rockford Business & Community Relations Solutions Team Chair: Sue Mroz, Winnebago County Regional Planning Linda Gerber, Rock River Valley Blood Center John Phelps, Rockford Local Development corporation Mayor Lawrence J. Morrissey, City of Rockford Jeff Polsean, State of Illinois Chairman Scott Christiansen, Winnebago County C. Mark Williams, Growth Dimensions of Janyce Fadden, Rockford Area Economic Belvidere & Boone County Development Council City of Rockford Liaisons Directors Alderman Bill Robertson R. Richard Bastian, III, Blackhawk Bank Alderman Carl Wasco Edward C. Berg, First Northern Credit Union Paul Callighan, ComEd Village of Roscoe Liaison J Chapman, Maverick Media Planning and Zoning Administrator Sheryl Crowley Pamela S. Fox, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP Winnebago County Liaison Darrin Golden, IBEW / NECA County Board Member Frank Gambino Greg Graber, WIFR-TV Thomas Green, Barrick, Switzer, Long, Balsley & Van Evera Michelle Janke, BMO Harris Bank N.A. 2011 Staff Gary Kaatz, Rockford Health System Mary Cacioppi, Director of Investor Relations Larson & Darby Group Janyce Fadden, President Jeff Layng, JP Morgan Chase Leilani Hillis, Manager of Operations Brad Long, Building Trades/Project First Rate Teri Johnson, Investor Relations Coordinator Dr. W. Stephen Minore, Rockford Anesthesiologists M. Alison Lakey, Administrative Services Coordinator Associated, LLC Bea Miller, Business Development Assistant Fran Morrissey, The Morrissey Family Businesses Mark Podemski, Vice President for Development Ed Munguia, Stillman Bank Matthew Simpson, Business Development Specialist Brian A. Nelson, Concentric AB Eric Voyles, Vice President of National Business Development Paul Nicolosi, The Buckley Companies Carrie Zethmayr, Manager of International Relations Sagar Patel, Woodward and Client Solutions Mark Peterson, CherryVale Mall / CBL & Associates Properties Bharat Puri, First Rockford Group Peter Ricker, Rockford Register Star Andreas Schell, Hamilton Sundstrand Jon E. Schmidt, Associated Bank Senator Dave Syverson

14 2011 INVESTORS

President’s Circle Investors ($25,000+) Rockforward! Investors con’t ($2,000+) Rockforward! Investors con’t ($2,000+) Alpine Bank BMO Harris Bank Center Merrill Lynch Building Trades / Project First Rate Boone & Winnebago Counties Workforce Midwest Aero Support City of Rockford Investment Bd Midwest Community Bank Comcast Brian Thomas Photography Next Rockford ComEd Chem Processing Nicor Gas Cumulus Broadcasting CherryVale Mall / CBL & Associates Nordic Investments First Rockford Group Properties Northwest Bank Greater Rockford Airport Authority Chicagoland Roofing Cncl / United Union Parker Hannifin Corporation Hamilton Sundstrand of Roofers PNC Bank IBEW / NECA City of South Beloit Powmet JP Morgan Chase CliftonLarsonAllen PR Etc. Larson & Darby Group Clinkenbeard & Associates QuEST Global Services - N.A. Maverick Media Community Foundation of Northern Illinois Rasmussen College OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center Comply365 Ringland-Johnson Rockford Area Association of REALTORS Corbett, Duncan & Hubly, P.C. Rock River Valley Blood Center Rockford Health System Cord Construction Company Rock Valley College Rockford Register Star Coyle-Varland Insurance Agency Rockford Anesthesiologists Associated SwedishAmerican Health System Crawford, Murphy & Tilly Rockford Bank & Trust Village of Machesney Park Crusaders Central Clinic Association Rockford Career College WIFR-TV Danfoss Power Electronics Rockford College Winnebago County DCEO Office of Regional Outreach Rockford Drop Forge Company Woodward, Inc. Emery Air Rockford Housing Authority WQRF TV / WTVO TV Employers’ Coalition on Health (ECOH) Rockford Metropolitan Agency for WREX Energy Dynamics Planning Enviro-Care Rockford Mutual Insurance Company Leadership Council Investors ($10,000+) Esterline Control Systems BVR Rockford Orthopedic Associates Anderson Packaging Technologies Rockford Toolcraft Aqua-Aerobic Systems Fehr-Graham & Associates Savant Capital Associated Bank Fifth Third Bank Schmeling Construction Co. AT&T Forest City Gear Co. Schneider Electric BMO Harris Bank Fridh Construction Services Senator Dave Syverson City of Loves Park Gary W. Anderson & Associates Serola Biomechanics Concentric Rockford Giovanni’s Restaurant & Convention Sheet Metal Workers Local #219/SMACNA Eclipse Center SIDCOR, Marketplace of Rockford First Northern Credit Union Global Display Solutions Sikich GE Aviation GrahamSpencer Advertising/Design SmithAmundsen Northern Illinois Building Contractors Greenlee - A Textron Company Spider Company Association Greg Tuite & Associates Spring Creek Development Group Northern Illinois University Gypsum Supply Co. SPX Hydraulic Technologies Plumbers & Pipefitters UA Local 23 Hampton Properties Stillman Bank Riverside Community Bank Hanson Professional Services Superior Joining Technologies Rock River Water Reclamation District Hegel Holdings, LLC. dba Minarik Drives TH Foods Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Helen Hill Communication The Bon Ton Stores Bureau Hinshaw & Culbertson The Buckley Companies Rockford Chamber of Commerce Holmstrom & Kennedy, P.C. The Morrissey Family Businesses Rockford Park District Homer L. Chastain and Associates The North Central Group Rockford Public Schools HR Green, Title Underwriters Agency RSM McGladrey Ingenium Technologies Corp./ Ingenium TSI Plastics, Sjostrom & Sons Aerospace U of I College of Medicine Thermo Fisher Scientific IronWorkers Local Union 498 U.S. Bank Village of Rockton J & M Plating United Way of Rock River Valley Village of Roscoe J.L. Clark - A CLARCOR Company Upper Iowa University-Rockford Center Williams-Manny Joseph Behr & Sons UPS Rockforward! Investors ($2,000+) Judson University Venture One Real Estate/Rock 39 Alpha Controls & Services Kaney Aerospace Industrial Park/Loves Park Corporate American Precision Assemblers, Laborers’ Local #32 Center Auxxi & Associates, LandMark Real Estate Group Viking Chemical Company B/E Aerospace Leading Edge Hydraulics Village of Cherry Valley Baker Tilly Virchow Krause Liebovich Steel & Aluminum Co. Village of Davis Junction Ballard Properties Lowe’s Companies Village of Winnebago Barrick, Switzer, Long, Balsley & Van Evera McGreevy Williams P.C. Whitehead Inc. REALTORS Benefit Planning Services Mechanical William Charles Ltd. Bergstrom Members Alliance Credit Union WilliamsMcCarthy Blackhawk Bank Meridian Wipfli 15 The Rockford Region has funded our economic future through the Rockford Area Economic Development Council’s Rockforward! strategic plan.

We have successfully marketed our hard-working labor force, convenient location and competitive value of doing business to companies in Illinois, throughout North America and in Europe and Asia. We’ve also worked with companies and entrepreneurs in our own backyard to connect them with properties, resources and incentives to help their businesses grow.

Our investors showed bold leadership and kept moving forward in the face of a continued recession. Their long-range thinking keeps our region top-of-mind with companies looking to relocate or expand to a new market, and helps those already here to commit and grow. We have a compelling story to tell, and our investors help us tell it.

But our work is not done. The ongoing economic uncertainty threatens to stall or even reverse our region’s progress. That is why we are continuing our strategic plan for another three years with Rockforward2! which builds on the successes from our first strategic plan and adapts the model for new economic realities. Our plan continues the focus on helping to create and retain jobs, which in turn will bring wealth to all levels of the Rockford Region. We need the private and public sectors to stay at the table with us and continue to implement this plan.

As with the first Rockforward! plan, we will be data-driven and results-oriented, communicating a clear return on your investment.

We focus the plan on five priority strategies:

H Targeted Marketing and Recruitment H Thriving Business Climate H Quality Connected Infrastructure H 21st Century Talent

H Emerging Opportunities Fund

Combined, these five strategies will have a tremendous impact on primary job growth, which will result in achieving our three-year goal of 4,500 new and retained jobs for the region.

Today’s economy presents both challenges and opportunities. Much work remains to be done. We must continue to help local companies become global traders. We must promote the region’s compelling attributes to attract investment. We must enhance our region’s capacity for development. And, perhaps above all, we must continue to strive for excellence in our educational system. Together, we can build a better, stronger, more sustainable economy. Together, we will connect, act and thrive.

For more information on becoming an RAEDC Investor, contact Mary Cacioppi, Director of Investor Relations at 815-969-4259, or by email at [email protected].

16 Thank you to all Rockford Area Economic Development Council investors and volunteer leaders. Now, more than ever your continued support is needed to ensure we successfully carry out the Rockforward! multi-year plan and realize its goals. Opportunity is on our doorstep, and we are poised to take advantage of it with the support, vision, and leadership from people like you. The primary role of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council is to enhance wealth creation in the Rockford Region by marketing the area and helping employers retain and create quality jobs. The RAEDC works closely with many partners to serve as a one-stop resource for clients, to improve the competitiveness of the region, and to engage the community in the work of economic development.

815.987.8118 www.rockfordil.com [email protected]