McHenry Co. Economic Development Corp. president steps down

The McHenry County Economic Development Corporation announced the resignation of President Christopher Manheim on Thursday, just two days after he and the agency were harshly criticized by some county leaders.

Board Chairman Walt Packard announced Manheim's abrupt departure in a written statement and thanked him for his two years heading the organization.

"Chris' experience and skills in economic development have helped MCEDC evolve over the past two years," Packard said. "We appreciate his service and expertise."

The announcement comes after members of the McHenry County Board's Finance and Audit Review Committee this week questioned the organization and the county's substantial financial commitment to it.

However, MCEDC officials said Manheim actually tendered his resignation Oct. 24, not as a result of the criticism.

Manheim described his resignation as a "mutual parting."

"It was a good time to move on and facilitate some of the other plans my wife and I have had for some time," Manheim said. "Some of my personal plans are moving in one direction and the EDC was going in a different direction."

MCEDC Vice President Jean Schober said the organization is still working out details of who will fill Manheim's duties while it conducts a search for a permanent replacement.

"We're a team here and we'll all work together so we don't miss a beat," she said.

County Board member Barbara Wheeler, who on Tuesday said the MCEDC has a leadership problem, said she wishes Manheim the best, but welcomed his resignation Thursday.

"A change needed to be made to stimulate economic growth in McHenry County," she said. "Hopefully for everybody it will be a positive change."

Despite the criticism, the finance committee this week endorsed four-year deal that would keep the county as the MCEDC's primary funding source, giving it more than $152,000 a year. The measure will be voted on Nov. 6 by the full county board.

The MCEDC is a public-private partnership created 15 years ago to attract new business to the county and retain existing businesses, It recently began a feasibility study to determine whether the agency is economically viable and effective enough to continue.

Manheim was named president in October 2006 after previously serving as vice president for economic development for the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce.