McHenry County District 1 candidates debate economic development

The four candidates vying for two open District 1 seats on the McHenry County Board have differing views about the direction in which the county should develop economically.

In the Nov. 8 election, incumbent Yvonne Barnes, 55, a Cary Republican, will face fellow Republican Tom Wilbeck, 66, of Barrington Hills, as well as Democratic candidates Kerri Barber, 42, and Kathryn Potter, 32, both from Cary.

Having served on the county board for eight years, two of which she has been vice chairwoman, Barnes said she understands the importance of a skilled workforce and solid infrastructure for bringing in new businesses. But moving forward, she said, county board members should focus on supporting existing businesses, as well as young adults, veterans and other people seeking employment opportunities within the county.

"To me, economic development is all about forming partnerships and connections with people who have the means available to support programs," Barnes said, noting the county has a network of organizations for providing business resources. "I think we need to communicate that more."

Though Barber doesn't have experience on the county board, she, like Barnes, has a background in business. She also believes the board can do more to help the county's thousands of small and medium-sized businesses.

In a concept called "economic gardening," Barber said, local entrepreneurs could bring in new jobs and create a more vibrant business sector. She said businesses and consumers should also help grow the local economy by taking advantage of the resources available in the area, rather than purchasing goods from major corporations across state lines.

Barber also suggested building stronger relationships with chambers of commerce and inviting business incubators to invest in local startups. This will help lessen the burden on property owners, she said, because the county could move away from offering tax incentives to new businesses.

"Instead, it's a responsible, pragmatic, measured growth for small businesses," Barber said. "All of these things come together under this umbrella of helping small businesses who are here attracting more to the area."

Potter, however, said the county needs to diversify its workforce by recruiting businesses from emerging industries, such as sustainability and distribution. In her eyes, the county's economic success relies too heavily on agriculture and commercial areas such as the Randall Road corridor. "We shouldn't be putting all of our eggs in one basket," Potter said.

Wilbeck, a former McHenry County College trustee, said the county is at a disadvantage because it lacks tollway interchanges. However, he did say the county board could improve regulations to make it easier for businesses of all types and sizes to succeed in McHenry County.

Barnes said growth in the county is important, but the key to the county's economic success is within its local businesses.

"We've been saying for years we would love larger businesses to come in," she said. "But our smaller businesses are here, and we need to keep them."