Elk Grove helps businesses with ambassador program

Submitted by the village of Elk Grove

When Peter Jackson, managing partner for Miller Industrial, hosted several Elk Grove Village officials last year for an informal get-to-know-you session, he was pleased to hear that the village valued his business and wanted to learn more about it.

"They made me feel welcome and proud that I'm leading a business based in Elk Grove Village," Jackson says. "I gave them a tour of our facility with my three direct reports and led them through a strategy session."

He also had no idea that members of the village economic development team would encourage him to apply to Next Level Northwest, a nonprofit business accelerator program founded by several Chicago area municipalities - including Elk Grove Village.

Miller Industrial is, in effect, the "hardware store" to the more than 3,800 businesses and 400 manufacturers in Elk Grove Village's industrial park.

It sells everything from industrial strength paint to power tools to electrical and plumbing supplies. Local manufacturers, distributors and other companies in need of supplies and services rely on Miller Industrial to keep their businesses growing.

As a result of the visit, Jackson was accepted into the Next Level Northwest program and worked with a business development coach to create a market research strategy.

"I would not have been able to access the resources of Next Level Northwest were it not for the village coming out to our shop to get to know us and learn about our business and provide an overview of the services the village provides to companies that call Elk Grove home," said Jackson.

These visits are part of the Business Ambassador Program, which the village's economic development team launched in 2016. The idea behind the ambassador visits is simple. Companies that would like to connect with the village can host a visit from the village's economic development team and elected officials.

The visit is usually comprised of a facility tour and a confidential conversation about their business. Then, village officials provide an overview of services and resources available to businesses. Additionally, host businesses can expect to get questions designed to help identify the kinds of vendors, suppliers, service providers, and potential customers that might exist right within the Elk Grove Business Park.

"We're here to listen and learn. We want to meet the faces behind Elk Grove businesses," said Nick Radcliffe, a member of the Elk Grove Village economic development team.

"We really want to hear what they do and how business is going. Once we know more, we can offer resources for workforce development, training, or business leadership. We can also help guide businesses through the permit process and provide information on incentives available for expansion and renovation."

To date, 115 companies have hosted village officials for business ambassador visits.

Members of the Elk Grove Village board also participate in the visits in order to gain a better understanding of the needs of local businesses.

"When it comes down to forging mutually productive relationships with the manufacturers that choose to operate out of Elk Grove, the responsibility to reach out and get to know and understand the businesses rests squarely on our shoulders," said Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson.

"The ambassador visits give us an opportunity to express our gratitude for the role they play in keeping our community strong and thriving. And, they're a vital part of our overall efforts to partner with companies to support their growth."

The village has taken the program virtual in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, which makes in-person visits a real challenge. When in-person visits are impossible due to social distancing guidelines, the visits are taking place on a video call.

"While the pandemic has challenged us to find new ways to reach out to companies and strengthen relationships, it does not remove the obligation we have to open up the lines of communication with the companies that call Elk Grove Village home," said Radcliffe.

Any Elk Grove Village-based company that would like to host a Business Ambassador Visit can contact Nick Radcliffe at (847) 357-4013 or NRadcliffe@elkgrove.org.