Study shows Algonquin labor out in force

Before this week, Algonquin officials could only say they believed the village's labor force was solid.

Now, they're armed with hard facts.

A labor force analysis and cost comparison study, both released Tuesday night, are part of this year's marketing push for the village's corporate campus.

The studies by Carter Burgess and Nortillo and Associates show that the labor force in southern McHenry and Northern Kane counties is growing, of good quality, and contains highly skilled manufacturing workers.

They also revealed that it is cheaper to locate an information technology call center on its corporate campus than in neighboring towns such as Crystal Lake, Chicago, Elgin and New Berlin, Wis.

"Algonquin also scores high because it offers incentives to companies that bring jobs into the community," said Theresa Nortillo, who presented the study.

However, wages for Algonquin-area nurses are tens of thousands lower than their Chicago counterparts. The area also shares the nationwide lack of math and communication skills among workers.

Assistant Village Manager Jeff Mihelich said he plans to share the results of the study with area technical and community colleges.

"We'll reach out to these institutions and ask them to help us fill in the work force gaps," Mihelich said.