Economic development group cited

Site Selection, a magazine for professionals in economic development, has named the Top Deals in North America and abroad for 2007, and the Top U.S. Economic Development Groups of 2007.

McHenry County Economic Development Corporation has received an Honorable Mention for 2007.

In evaluating the top economic development projects of the year, the editors of Site Selection took into account total capital investment, number of jobs created, regional economic impact, value of jobs created, creativity of the deal, role of incentives in the deal, competition for the project to locate elsewhere and speed to market.

"As we considered the nominations for the Top Development Groups this year, it became clear that the most competitive organizations shared several characteristics," said Ron Starner, director of publications and general manager of Site Selection publisher Conway Data, and author of the Top Groups article.

"They provide market access to expanding companies, strong logistics support networks, highly qualified and abundant labor pools, competitive business costs and good old-fashioned ingenuity to get deals done."

Local economic development groups were first ranked according to four objective categories: new jobs, new jobs per 10,000 residents, new investment amount and new investment per 10,000 residents. Thee were then scrutinized for more subjective attributes -- among them innovation, leadership and customer service.

"MCEDC was one of 20 public-private partnerships recognized by the magazine in its May issue. World Business Chicago, a perennial on the list, was the only other Illinois partnership to make the list.

"This says a lot about McHenry County and its dynamic local economy and proactive collaborative efforts," said Dr. Walter Packard, Chairman of MCEDC.

"Call it a breakthrough year for McHenry County, Ill.," Starner reported.

"With 17 corporate facility projects representing $92 million in capital investment and 1,702 new jobs, the Northern Illinois county between Chicago and the Wisconsin border delivered a superior economic development performance."

Among the projects MCEDC reported that it worked with directly in 2007, Medela added 85,000 square feet and 52 new jobs to its McHenry manufacturing facility. The facility produces health care and breastfeeding products.

Phezer Enterprises Inc., a new start-up with assistance from MCEDC's Business Accelerator for Innovation and Collaboration, reported last December creating 40 positions and leasing 150,000 square feet from Eisenmann Manufacturing in Crystal Lake. The company is now producing the Alluma all-natural fire place log at this facility. Once Phezer obtained its first contract, it was able to develop new work for at least three other McHenry County companies.

"We are seeing expansions caused by the relocation of production from overseas back to our McHenry County plants," said Chris Manheim, president of the McHenry County Economic Development Corp."

One example is the relocation of specialized aerospace/defense magnetic production by Arnold Magnetic Technologies.

Arnold created and retained 82 jobs with the expansion project in Marengo. The company makes magnetic rolled products.

Below is the full list of partnerships making the grade for 2007.

"McHenry County is in very good company. Everyone has a lot to be proud of," said Chris Manheim.

Top U.S. Economic Development Groups of 2007, in alphabetical order.

Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce, Akron, Ohio

World Business Chicago, Chicago

Cincinnati USA Partnership, Cincinnati, Ohio

Davidson County Economic Development Commission, Lexington, N.C.

Piedmont Triad Partnership, Greensboro, N.C.

Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, Pittsburgh.

St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association, St. Louis

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, Scranton, Pa.

Siouxland Initiative, Sioux City, Iowa Community Development Foundation, Tupelo, Miss.

Honorable Mentions include:

Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce, Dallas, Texas

Dyersburg/Dyer County Chamber of Commerce, Dyersburg, Tenn.

Greater Houston Partnership, Houston, Texas

Ingham County Economic Development Corp., Mason, Mich.

McHenry County Economic Development Corp., McHenry, Ill.

Memphis Regional Chamber of Commerce, Memphis, Tenn.

Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership, Omaha, Neb.

Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce, Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Saginaw Future Inc., Saginaw, Mich.

Wayne Economic Development Council, Wooster, Ohio.