Posts by Doug Hessong

GRCC Government Affairs Committee Supports TIF District on Rockford’s South side The unsung hero of economic development By Terrance Hall, Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce What’s harder than explaining what I do as an economic development professional? Explaining how important business retention and expansion (BRE) visits are to the whole effort. So what is a…

GRCC Government Affairs Committee Supports TIF District on Rockford’s South side Supply chain shifts can trigger legal concerns By JP Kale, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. Amid ongoing supply chain disruptions, local manufacturers and business leaders are innovating how and where goods are produced. But these changes carry significant legal risks that must be addressed…

GRCC Government Affairs Committee Supports TIF District on Rockford’s South side A quick guide to trade secrets law for manufacturers and innovators By Joel Huotari, WilliamsMcCarthy LLP In today’s competitive business world, ideas, processes, and know-how are often more valuable than physical assets. For manufacturers, engineers, and innovators, trade secrets—like proprietary formulas, customer lists, or…

GRCC Government Affairs Committee Supports TIF District on Rockford’s South side Local tourism economy continues to grow By John Groh, GoRockford Tourism isn’t just about visitors coming and going. It is about opportunity, pride, and momentum for our community. That’s why the latest report on visitor spending is such good news for Rockford and Winnebago…

GRCC Government Affairs Committee Supports TIF District on Rockford’s South side Meeting the moment with strategy, partnership, and purpose By Nicole Koblesky, Rockford Area SHRM I’ve been in the HR profession for over 20 years, and while I don’t love aging myself in print, I think we’d all agree that the past five years have…

GRCC Government Affairs Committee Supports TIF District on Rockford’s South side That seemingly silly, yet critical, employee metric By Angela Kay Larson, Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce Throughout my career, at nearly every place I’ve worked, I commissioned, orchestrated, or completed some sort of employee engagement survey. It’s well documented that employees are a company’s…

GRCC Government Affairs Committee Supports TIF District on Rockford’s South side Turning today’s talent into tomorrow’s leaders By Lesly Couper, Workplace Staffing & Search What would happen if your CFO stepped down tomorrow? Would you have a clear, confident answer about who steps in next? Or would your organization scramble to respond? Leadership succession planning…

GRCC Government Affairs Committee Supports TIF District on Rockford’s South side How Leadership Rockford builds community—and retains talent By Heather Metcalf, Hughes Recruiting & Consulting When I joined the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) in May 2024, I didn’t expect that a few months later I’d be part of something truly special. That September,…

GRCC Government Affairs Committee Supports TIF District on Rockford’s South side Rebuilding lives and supporting local workforce needs By Rick Ciganek, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office Walk into the Winnebago County Jail today, and you might be surprised to hear the sound of precision machining tools, not just cell doors. In partnership with Rock Valley College,…

GRCC Government Affairs Committee Supports TIF District on Rockford’s South side Strengthening Rockford’s identity and vitality By John Groh, GoRockford You may not be familiar with the term “placemaking,” but you’ve certainly felt its effects. Whenever you return from a trip to see Symbol on the riverfront and think, “It’s good to be home,” or…