July 14, 2021

Agenda

Mid America Workforce Investment Board –

Marketing & Economic Development Committee Meeting

(Zoom)

July 14, 2021 @ 1:30PM

Call Meeting to Order

Public Comment on Agenda

Review and Approval of 3/24/21 Meeting Minutes

Updates:

Marketing Plan/Outreach/Potential Intern

Economic Development Roundtable (see separate attachment)

Apprenticeship Grants & Other Activities

Hiring Events, etc.

Additional Updates and News

The next MAWIB Meeting is July 29, 2021, 8:30 a.m. and will be held via Zoom technology

Minutes

Marketing & Economic Development Committee

Meeting Minutes

(Zoom)

7/14/21

Attendees:                                                                                                                   Staff:

Paul Ellis (Chair)                                                                                                          Matt Jones

Vicki Niederhofer                                                                                                        Cindy Layman

Eric Schauster

Paul Ellis called the meeting to order at 1:32PM.  Next, with no public comment, Paul presented the March 24th minutes for review.  Vicki Niederhofer made a motion to approve, it was seconded by Eric Schauster and the minutes were unanimously approved. Paul proceeded to give an update on the committee’s marketing plan, which is designed to promote services throughout EDR while matching goals with available programs and resources.  Paul mentioned that there has been some good press coverage recently with 2 articles in the BND and Illinois Business Journal.  He is also still working with SIUE to secure a marketing intern by this fall.  Next, Paul referenced an attachment that was sent out to the committee that listed many of the economic development contacts throughout the region and he suggested a future Zoom presentation about WIOA services to this group (probably late August or September).  The committee agreed this was a great idea and Eric suggested at some point including education and other providers as part of the target group. 

Matt proceeded to give an update on the Apprenticeship Expansion Grants as well as the 1E/DRE Covid-related grants that are focused on assisting local businesses and non-profits.  Paul and Cindy Layman also gave a brief overview of the “Soulcial” Food Truck and Food Court initiative that is gearing up to train apprentices as food truck proprietors while also working with a harder to serve population & addressing the area’s food insecurity issues.  Cindy also gave brief update on many virtual hiring events and other business services activities.  She also mentioned that she is in the process of interviewing applicants for a Business Services Representative position.  Paul updated the committee on the status of the Metro-East Business Incubator (MEBI) and some new business activity as well as the Hospitality & Retail training program at CALC.  Eric reported that they are looking for a new Director of Economic Development and also talked about the new McDonald’s building that just opened on Carlyle Avenue.

After a few more topics of discussion, Matt reminded the group that the next MAWIB meeting will be held on July 29th @ 8:30 AM via Zoom.  With no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 2:22PM