Unification Update
Regional Business Organizations Form Partnership
to Combine Resources and Fast-Track Goals
to Combine Resources and Fast-Track Goals
January 5, 2021
Contact: Pam Maher/KMK Media Group
779-221-3760/pam@kmkmedia.com
Rockford, IL – The Greater Rockford Growth Partnership – that’s the name of a new organization that has long-term implications for the future success of our region.
For two years, members of the boards of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council (RAEDC) and the Rockford Chamber of Commerce (Rockford Chamber) have worked to unify their organizations under the same roof with a common voice for business in the region.
Board members of both organizations joined forces to develop values and goals for the new “umbrella” partnership under which the RAEDC and Chamber will retain their individual organizational status. The Greater Rockford Growth Partnership will align the organizations toward the goal of making the Rockford region the number one mid-sized market in the nation for a strong workforce, innovative companies, business start-ups and leadership development.
“Our consultant, Ernst & Young, tells us what we began doing two years ago has quickly become national best practice, and we are on the leading edge of that,” said Committee Co-Chair, Jeff Hultman. “Our research and evaluation looked at ten models for unification of Chambers and Economic Development organizations nationwide. In studying those, the state of the Rockford region, and where we want to go as a community moving forward, we know now is the time to unify to ensure our community’s success.”
Nearby cities are following the trend. St. Louis just announced the unification of five community groups, and the Quad Cities recently moved its economic development council together with its chamber.
In working together under one partnership organization, the RAEDC and Rockford Chamber will retain their separate boards and individual focus. The Chamber will support existing businesses through leadership, education, networking, advocacy and community pride, while the RAEDC will focus on growing businesses in the region through attraction, retention, expansion, innovation and promotion to external markets.
As a new organization, The Greater Rockford Growth Partnership will work with the RAEDC and Rockford Chamber to ensure strategies, goals and decisions work best for both organizations and for the region as a whole. The organization will make sure both large and small businesses benefit and will actively coordinate with other regional groups and the public sector to support and grow businesses in Northern Illinois.
Under the plan, the Rockford Chamber and RAEDC will formally establish the Greater Rockford Growth Partnership as a 501c6 non-profit and begin the initial implementation steps in the first quarter of 2021, progressing throughout the year so that everything is in place and operational for 2022.
“The time is now. The pandemic accelerated the unification process in communities across the country, putting those who had already done it at a distinct advantage,” said Co-Chair Terry Voskuil. “Indianapolis, for example, was able to cross-train its partnership organization’s staff to provide support for small businesses hit hard by the pandemic. The Greater Topeka Partnership set up a small business emergency resource fund and secured more than $1 million in relief funding from private sector leaders that was distributed to 285 small businesses to keep them going. This is the kind of action possible when organizations are aligned.”
“The structure will be set up to encourage and accommodate other organizations to join the Greater Rockford Growth Partnership, working together to grow our region,” Hultman said.
Contact: Pam Maher/KMK Media Group
779-221-3760/pam@kmkmedia.com
Rockford, IL – The Greater Rockford Growth Partnership – that’s the name of a new organization that has long-term implications for the future success of our region.
For two years, members of the boards of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council (RAEDC) and the Rockford Chamber of Commerce (Rockford Chamber) have worked to unify their organizations under the same roof with a common voice for business in the region.
Board members of both organizations joined forces to develop values and goals for the new “umbrella” partnership under which the RAEDC and Chamber will retain their individual organizational status. The Greater Rockford Growth Partnership will align the organizations toward the goal of making the Rockford region the number one mid-sized market in the nation for a strong workforce, innovative companies, business start-ups and leadership development.
“Our consultant, Ernst & Young, tells us what we began doing two years ago has quickly become national best practice, and we are on the leading edge of that,” said Committee Co-Chair, Jeff Hultman. “Our research and evaluation looked at ten models for unification of Chambers and Economic Development organizations nationwide. In studying those, the state of the Rockford region, and where we want to go as a community moving forward, we know now is the time to unify to ensure our community’s success.”
Nearby cities are following the trend. St. Louis just announced the unification of five community groups, and the Quad Cities recently moved its economic development council together with its chamber.
In working together under one partnership organization, the RAEDC and Rockford Chamber will retain their separate boards and individual focus. The Chamber will support existing businesses through leadership, education, networking, advocacy and community pride, while the RAEDC will focus on growing businesses in the region through attraction, retention, expansion, innovation and promotion to external markets.
As a new organization, The Greater Rockford Growth Partnership will work with the RAEDC and Rockford Chamber to ensure strategies, goals and decisions work best for both organizations and for the region as a whole. The organization will make sure both large and small businesses benefit and will actively coordinate with other regional groups and the public sector to support and grow businesses in Northern Illinois.
Under the plan, the Rockford Chamber and RAEDC will formally establish the Greater Rockford Growth Partnership as a 501c6 non-profit and begin the initial implementation steps in the first quarter of 2021, progressing throughout the year so that everything is in place and operational for 2022.
“The time is now. The pandemic accelerated the unification process in communities across the country, putting those who had already done it at a distinct advantage,” said Co-Chair Terry Voskuil. “Indianapolis, for example, was able to cross-train its partnership organization’s staff to provide support for small businesses hit hard by the pandemic. The Greater Topeka Partnership set up a small business emergency resource fund and secured more than $1 million in relief funding from private sector leaders that was distributed to 285 small businesses to keep them going. This is the kind of action possible when organizations are aligned.”
“The structure will be set up to encourage and accommodate other organizations to join the Greater Rockford Growth Partnership, working together to grow our region,” Hultman said.
Greater Rockford Growth Partnership oversees and aligns the goals of its member organizations in taking bold action to create the most vibrant, innovative, thriving economy of any mid-sized region in the nation.
Rockford Area Economic Development Council markets the region to attract new capital investment, while assisting existing business with resources for sustainable growth. It works with partners to improve the competitiveness of the region in the daily work of economic development and serves as the area’s data collection agency on capital investment, new and retained jobs, and new or renovated space. Rockfordil.com
Rockford Chamber of Commerce delivers benefit to the community by leading in the promotion of economic growth, advocating for the interests of business and providing service and educational opportunities that help its members grow. Rockfordchamber.com
Rockford Area Economic Development Council markets the region to attract new capital investment, while assisting existing business with resources for sustainable growth. It works with partners to improve the competitiveness of the region in the daily work of economic development and serves as the area’s data collection agency on capital investment, new and retained jobs, and new or renovated space. Rockfordil.com
Rockford Chamber of Commerce delivers benefit to the community by leading in the promotion of economic growth, advocating for the interests of business and providing service and educational opportunities that help its members grow. Rockfordchamber.com
The Rockford Chamber and the Rockford Area Economic Development Council believe coming together under one umbrella organization will lead to greater success. It will help the organizations work together on common goals like business attraction, business retention and workforce development, and it will allow for stronger advocacy on issues favorable to business. The two organizations will remain separate but unified, sharing the workload and resources and sharing accountability for moving our business community forward.
This is what the organizational structure may look like:
This is what the organizational structure may look like:
A unification task force made up of board members of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council (RAEDC) and the Rockford Chamber of Commerce (Rockford Chamber) hired a firm from Austin, TX to lead the organizations’ unification process.
The task force studied several models for unification used by similar groups nationwide and chose to pursue a “Partnership Umbrella” structure. Within that structure, the Rockford Chamber and RAEDC would be unified, but not merged, each maintaining a separate board and a separate, defined focus. They would be housed under a 501C6 organization and aligned in their goals, their work and the metrics they are trying to achieve for the region. They would also share costs for services like HR, operations, marketing and I.T.
The task force identified several advantages of the umbrella partnership model including:
The task force set a goal for completion of the facilitator-led plan for the first quarter of 2020.
At that time, both boards will have the opportunity to issue a yes/no vote on the unification plan and, if approved, begin implementation. The task force work helped to conclude that both organizations will be stronger, more accountable, more efficient and more effective working more closely together.
Avalanche Consulting will help the task force obtain stakeholder input, identify best practices, and subsequently develop goals, programs, metrics and governance structure for the unified organization.
“We researched and evaluated a number of firms across the country and Avalanche stood out as the best choice based on their vast experience providing the services we were looking for, their fresh, outside view of our region and their focus on economic development strategies, organizational assessments, workforce development,” said Jeff Hultman, the task force’s chairman.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to consult the RAEDC and Chamber of Commerce on this important and timely process,” said Avalanche Consulting President/CEO Amy Holloway.
Chamber members are encouraged to check back for updates on the unification process over the next several weeks.
If you have questions please feel free to contact Einar Forsman, President/CEO of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce at eforsman@rockfordchamber.com
The task force studied several models for unification used by similar groups nationwide and chose to pursue a “Partnership Umbrella” structure. Within that structure, the Rockford Chamber and RAEDC would be unified, but not merged, each maintaining a separate board and a separate, defined focus. They would be housed under a 501C6 organization and aligned in their goals, their work and the metrics they are trying to achieve for the region. They would also share costs for services like HR, operations, marketing and I.T.
The task force identified several advantages of the umbrella partnership model including:
- Speaking with a stronger, unified voice on behalf of the community
- Making it easy for business leaders and site selectors to know who to call for assistance
- Align goals for stronger benefits to business and the community
- Alignment of volunteer hours and activities
- Greater focus and impact on local, state and federal government affairs and advocacy
- Accountability and tracking of results
The task force set a goal for completion of the facilitator-led plan for the first quarter of 2020.
At that time, both boards will have the opportunity to issue a yes/no vote on the unification plan and, if approved, begin implementation. The task force work helped to conclude that both organizations will be stronger, more accountable, more efficient and more effective working more closely together.
Avalanche Consulting will help the task force obtain stakeholder input, identify best practices, and subsequently develop goals, programs, metrics and governance structure for the unified organization.
“We researched and evaluated a number of firms across the country and Avalanche stood out as the best choice based on their vast experience providing the services we were looking for, their fresh, outside view of our region and their focus on economic development strategies, organizational assessments, workforce development,” said Jeff Hultman, the task force’s chairman.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to consult the RAEDC and Chamber of Commerce on this important and timely process,” said Avalanche Consulting President/CEO Amy Holloway.
Chamber members are encouraged to check back for updates on the unification process over the next several weeks.
If you have questions please feel free to contact Einar Forsman, President/CEO of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce at eforsman@rockfordchamber.com
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