Building Momentum in Economic Development

When I joined the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce at the start of this year, I came with a clear sense of purpose and an open mind about what I would find. What I did not fully anticipate was just how quickly this region’s energy, its people, and its potential would come into focus. One quarter in, I can say with confidence: the Rockford Region is ready, and the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce is stepping up to meet that moment. 

I wanted to share some highlights of my first months here and use this as an opportunity to share what we’ve been working on, why it matters to you as a member of our regional business community, and where we’re headed next. 

A New Team, A Sharper Focus
The most significant story of Q1 is the transformation happening within the GRCC itself. Our organization has grown meaningfully, welcoming several new professionals who bring deep expertise in economic development, business attraction, communications, and sales. Welcoming these new team members to support the rest of the GRCC team was a deliberate investment in our capacity to execute. 

Over the past few months, we have been building out the workflows, strategies, and relationships that translate vision into results. We are moving from a period of laying the groundwork to one of focused, sustained execution and the difference is already palpable. Having the right people in the right roles means that when a business prospect asks about our region, we can respond with speed, data, and a compelling story. 

Keeping Our Existing Businesses Strong
Economic development begins at home. Before we talk about attracting new investment, we must ensure that the businesses already rooted in our region feel supported, heard, and connected to the resources they need to grow. 

In Q1, our team completed 13 employer visits across a range of key industry sectors, including automotive, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. These conversations are invaluable. They surface real-time intelligence about what our businesses need, whether that’s access to capital, supply chain connections, workforce readiness support, or something else entirely. That intelligence, in turn, shapes how we prioritize our programs, our partnerships, and our advocacy. 

We have five additional Business Retention & Expansion visits already scheduled for Q2, and that pipeline will only grow. If you’re interested in scheduling a BRE visit, please reach out! You can reach me at ebutzine@rockfordchamber.com.  

Pursuing New Investment for the Region
Business attraction is back on the front burner. After re-establishing our outreach infrastructure this quarter, we now have an active pipeline of business attraction and expansion projects under development. These range across industries and stages of development, and they represent a meaningful opportunity for job creation and long-term economic growth in our community. 

We are working closely with site selectors, corporate real estate teams, and state and national partners to ensure the Rockford Region is in the room when location decisions are being made. That means being proactive, responsive, and armed with data, which are all areas where we have made real investments this quarter. 

Telling the Region’s Story
A region’s reputation is one of its most powerful economic development assets. In Q1, the GRCC welcomed a new Director of Communications and developed an integrated communications plan to ensure we are presenting a clear, consistent, and compelling narrative about who we are and what we offer. 

That work is already yielding results. In collaboration with GoRockford, we secured more than 50 meetings with national travel, lifestyle, and broadcast media to highlight the Rockford Region’s livability, affordability, and Midwest appeal. The Rockford Region earned prominent features in high-profile national publications. This coverage puts our community in front of exactly the kind of audiences we want to reach: businesses considering relocation or expansion, talented professionals exploring new communities, and investors looking for value and opportunity. 

“Our region’s reputation is one of its
most powerful economic development assets.” 

Better Tools, Better Decisions
We are also investing in the data and intelligence infrastructure that modern economic development demands. This quarter, the GRCC expanded its suite of market research and site selection tools, giving our team real-time access to workforce analytics, labor market trends, commercial real estate data, and business growth signals. 

These resources allow us to respond faster to business inquiries, build stronger cases for why Rockford should be on any short list, and proactively identify companies that may be on the cusp of growth or expansion. In economic development, speed and precision matter. We are committed to having both. 

What’s Ahead
Looking into Q2, there is a great deal to be excited about. CEO Angela Kay Larson and I will represent the Rockford Region at the SelectUSA Investment Summit, one of the nation’s premier forums for foreign direct investment and business attraction. It is a meaningful platform, and we will be there with a strong regional story to tell. 

Closer to home, we have several upcoming events that reflect the breadth of our work and the vitality of this business community. Visit our website at rockfordchamber.com for the full list of events.

I am grateful for the warm welcome this community has extended to me, and I am energized by what we are building together. The foundation is strong. The team is growing. And the work ahead is work worth doing. 

Thank you for your continued partnership and investment in this region. I look forward to connecting with many of you at our upcoming events.