the
ADDRESSING CRIME IN OUR COMMUNITY
5 BENEFITS OF EMPLOYER BRANDING
PAGE 5
PAGE 10
of the rockford business community
April 2023 | Volume 36 | No. 4
TIF DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Finders and keepers Hiring and retention in a competitive employment environment By Andrew Wright, Rockford Chamber of Commerce
In
Winnebago
unemployment
rate
County, in
the
December
2022 was at the lowest it’s been since the COVID-19 outbreak. At 5.3%, it’s comparable to the lowest unemployment numbers in the last 20 years. This February, Stephanie Ferguson, director of global employment policy
and special initiatives for the U.S. Chamber, published an article titled “Understanding America’s Labor Shortage: The Most Impacted Industries.” In the article, Ferguson writes about the rising numbers of job openings in a wide range of industries, including education, health services, professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and the trades. Companies are actively competing to fill positions in a very employee-friendly environment. And for companies looking to grow and expand through 2023, that means HR managers and business owners need an edge to hire quality candidates.
The growing need for professional hiring experts Hughes Resources is a Freeport-based staffing agency that recently opened a new location in Rockford to meet the growing demand for workforce development in the area. In May, they’ll celebrate 20 years in business. “Employers are still looking to fill a variety of jobs, and I haven’t sensed a slow-down in 2023. It continues to be incredibly difficult to fill all those jobs,” Vanessa Hughes, president of Hughes Resources explained. (continued on page 8)
Most likely to be celebrated Inaugural Superlatives honorees named The Rockford Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the honorees of the inaugural Superlatives Awards. This recognition, inspired by high school yearbooks going back generations, recognizes honorees for their ongoing contributions to the Rockford community. Over 140 nominations were submitted and reviewed by a chamber member committee comprised of local leaders. THE VOICE IS PUBLISHED BY
Congratulations to our 2023 honorees: Rockford’s A/V Club – WTVO Engineering Staff Rockford’s Booster Club – Gary Anderson & Studio GWA Most Adorable Office Pet – Franz Furwig at Furst Staffing Best Amateur Chef – Ron Clewer Best Professional Chef – Paul Sletten
Join the Chamber on Social Media
Best Dressed – Kylar Hayes Rockford’s Class Clown – Kevin Haas Rockford’s Coolest Car – Electric Mustang owned by Patti Thayer Geissler Most Iconic Artist – Laura Gomel
The Voice is online at rockfordchamber.com
First to Volunteer – Jill Beeman
(continued on page 4)
The City of Rockford is opening the TIF Commercial and Industrial Rehabilitation Program to assist building and business owners in improving the exterior of commercial and industrial spaces in select TIF Districts in the city. The city will offer a 50/50 match up to $25,000 in assistance for permanent building improvements. Matching funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis for any project that meets the qualifications and until the allocated funds are exhausted. Qualifying TIF districts include: Auburn Street TIF, Broadway TIF, East River TIF, E. State and Alpine TIF, East State and Mulford TIF, Midtown TIF, and North Main and Auburn Street TIF. Each TIF has $150,000 in available funds on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information on the program and how to apply, visit www.rockfordil.gov or contact Anna Garrison at Anna.Garrison@ rockfordIL.gov or 779.348.7419.
VISITOR SPENDING IN ROCKFORD CONTINUES TO RISE According to a report by the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, total visitor spending in the Rockford area increased to $436.4 million in 2021, a 21.7% increase over 2020 but still 9.7% below 2019. Comparing 2021 to 2019, the economic impact of the visitor industry in Winnebago County recovered faster than nine of 12 comparative destinations in Illinois. And additional industry data points to continued recovery through 2022. “Rockford’s resilient performance is due in part to our diversified tourism product that includes sports tourism, leisure products and corporate travel, and our ability to focus on and market tourism products that allowed for continued visitation to outdoor experiences throughout the pandemic,” said John Groh, Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau president/CEO. As visitors spent more than $436 million visiting Winnebago County, they directly supported the livelihood of 3,798 hardworking area residents working in hospitality and travel related jobs with employment income of $130 million.