Attended the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce's monthly lunch because I wanted to hear what the Illinois Chamber of Commerce President Doug Whitely had to say about the state's economy. Interestingly he focused more on the economic condition of the city than he did the state. Apparently he has more than a passing interest in Carbondale's economy as he attended SIUC about 40 years ago and was pretty impressed with the growth of the east side of town, with the number of motels and other businesses that have gone in there. The downtown area, less so, as he commented that it still looked much like it did when he attended SIUC back in the early 70s. From the way he put it, I figure that is a bad thing.
He further discussed what he feels are the two economic engines that either do or could drive further economic growth: the university and tourism. I've commented before that Carbondale needs to push itself as a tourist gateway more, however Whitely doesn't believe tourism is viable as a means of developing strong economic growth, saying instead that Carbondale ought to focus on developing a highly trained workforce, as that is what Illinois, and other, manufacturers need now. He complimented John A. Logan for its training programs and I was rather surprised to hear one of the few positive mentions of labor unions I have ever heard come from a business leader, as he mentioned them as a source of skilled labor. Little mention of tort reform or Illinois as a high tax state, which are both common themes in columns of Whitely's I have read, though he did discuss the need for workman's compensation reform.
He further discussed what he feels are the two economic engines that either do or could drive further economic growth: the university and tourism. I've commented before that Carbondale needs to push itself as a tourist gateway more, however Whitely doesn't believe tourism is viable as a means of developing strong economic growth, saying instead that Carbondale ought to focus on developing a highly trained workforce, as that is what Illinois, and other, manufacturers need now. He complimented John A. Logan for its training programs and I was rather surprised to hear one of the few positive mentions of labor unions I have ever heard come from a business leader, as he mentioned them as a source of skilled labor. Little mention of tort reform or Illinois as a high tax state, which are both common themes in columns of Whitely's I have read, though he did discuss the need for workman's compensation reform.
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