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Strategy 3 : Pursue a strategic communication program aimed at retaining and attracting business , stimulating investment , and establishing Lake County ’ s prominence as a desirable place to work and live .
Action A : Work with Lake County Partners , the county ’ s economic development organization , to ensure consistent and mutually reinforced messaging through communication outlets such as websites , newsletters , social media channels , reports , and meetings . Action B : Build awareness of economic development initiatives and Workforce Ecosystem partnerships to inform businesses of the tools and resources available to assist with expansion , training , and talent needs . Action C : Communicate success stories that address issues and trends gathered through business intelligence and illustrate effective outcomes of the Workforce Ecosystem partnerships . Action D : Understand how the State of Illinois ’ decisions are specifically impacting our local economy , and develop communications strategies that seek to counteract business concerns by quantifying and emphasizing Lake County ’ s many strengths . Action E : Foster relationships with members of the media to drive the development of story angles and ideas that highlight important economic and workforce development activities , opportunities , topics , and news . Action F : Collaborate with economic development entities and the Workforce Ecosystem to produce and promote high-caliber workshops , summits , and special events that encourage and enhance local economic opportunities and stimulate jobs . Action G : Connect with stakeholders and leverage relationships with community leaders to align local economic development goals with available sites , including the retail industry , infrastructure needs and long-term viability .
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Strategy 4 : Support economic development initiatives to attract visitors through a partnership with Visit Lake County .
Action A : Encourage pursuit of high potential markets to widen reach of visitors through utilization of advertising , social media marketing , website content and solicitation of meetings and events to generate new revenue for the County and its communities . Action B : Support Visit Lake County ’ s advocacy for destination enhancing product development and new signature events , like Lake County Restaurant Week . Action C : Identify opportunities to collaborate with Lake County Partners on messaging and branding to attract and retain young professionals and millennial visitors through promotion of arts and culture , unique dining experiences , evening entertainment , and outdoor recreation .
Jeff Hollenstein Lead Teacher- NCCHS Careers Pathway
“ We realized what we were doing wasn ’ t working . We weren ’ t meeting the needs of our students and getting them ready for college and the careers of today and tomorrow . Our Careers Pathway program is helping students to be more engaged in their curriculum by giving it a career focus . We also looked at regional workforce needs , including healthcare , information technology , manufacturing and engineering , so we ’ re preparing students for success and helping build a talent pipeline for Lake County ’ s businesses .”
PERFORMANCE METRIC
Business Engagement Rate : Percentage of targeted businesses in Lake County that Workforce Ecosystem partners have face-to-face interactions with each year .
25 20 15 10 5 0
9.7 %
ACTUAL
16.3 %
17.9 %
19.7 %
21.7 %
PROJECTED
23.9 %
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
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