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Champaign-Urbana Reminds World of Innovation History with “You’re Welcome” Campaign

Effort highlights history of innovation, culture, quality of life
YW Logo

Champaign, IL (September 23, 2015) – From the plasma TV to the Web browser to LED technology and oh-so-delicious whipped cream in a can, Champaign-Urbana has a rich legacy of innovation that is virtually unmatched. Yet, few people outside of the 217 area code realize that this Menlo Park of the Midwest was responsible for a remarkable number of innovations and companies that have changed the world.

Enter “You’re Welcome”, a national marketing campaign that seeks to infuse Champaign-Urbana with community pride while letting everyone else in on the little secret we already know: while C-U is a hub of smarts with a legacy of innovation, it’s also a great place to live, work, and dream up new ideas. “We know C-U is a fantastic place, now it is time to tell the world,” said Craig Rost, director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation. “It is awesome how this project has pulled the community together to tell our story.”

“Champaign-Urbana is one of the most talent-dense, well educated, and diverse regions in the U.S.,” said Laura Frerichs, director of the Research Park at the University of Illinois, which is home to software engineering hubs for companies like Yahoo, Anheuser-Busch, John Deere, Caterpillar, Dow Chemical, Raytheon and the award-winning EnterpriseWorks startup incubator. “The university’s top ranked engineering, informatics and computer science programs have created a robust pipeline of innovators with technical skills to fuel an unusually large technology community that is balanced by an outstanding quality of life.”

The You’re Welcome website is an information-rich portal of community information that includes a community job board; C-U brag points and community rankings; local videos and photo galleries; downloads of information and materials; and links to organizations and resources. It will be an asset for local businesses and organizations looking to recruit skilled talent to the area.

You’re Welcome is a true community collaboration that crosses city and town-gown boundaries. Led by the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation and the University of Illinois Research Park, sponsors also include City of Champaign; Wolfram; Yahoo!; Busey; Amdocs; EpiWorks, Inc.; Benefit Planning Consultants, Inc.; Pixo; East Central Illinois Building & Construction Trades Council; Riverbed; Singleton Law Firm; Grainger, Inc.; Village of Savoy; Smith/Burgett Architects, Inc.; Taylor Studios; Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District; Krannert Center for the Performing Arts; Barham Benefit Group; Polyvinyl Record Co.; and The Pygmalion Festival. Multiple community partners also participated in the ideation and implementation of the campaign.

For more information, please visit YoureWelcomeCU.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Sponsorships are still available.

Just a friendly tip from the friendly Midwest. You’re Welcome.

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SBA Regional Administrator Marianne Markowitz Presents $100,000 Boost to Champaign’s Small Business Opportunities

The U.S. Small Business Administration was in town this morning to present $100,000 total in awards, including $50,000 to the City of Champaign, one of SBA’s 28 Startup in a Day winners, and $50,000 to EnterpriseWorks at University of Illinois Research Park, one of Illinois’ four Growth Accelerator Fund Competition winners. These awards will help boost Champaign-Urbana-area small business growth and economic development by supporting the collaboration of government offices, educational institutions, and public-private partnerships.

SBA Check Presentation

The SBA’s first-ever Startup in a Day Competition was created to help U.S. cities simplify the licensing process so entrepreneurs can startup in a day. In total, $1.6 million was awarded to 26 cities, including Champaign, and two Native American tribes. The City is receiving $50,000 for its Virtual Incubator Program, which is a partnership between all local agencies providing entrepreneurship services throughout Champaign County. The Virtual Incubator is to be managed and coordinated by the local Small Business Development Center, which is supported by the SBA and based out of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation.

EnterpriseWorks received a $50,000 to help fund its successful I-Start program, which accelerates the technology commercialization process for university startups with access to various resources in their ­first year. Since the Growth Accelerator Fund’s inception in 2014, more than 5,100 jobs have been created or sustained, more than 1,450 startups have been served and approximately $600 million of capital has been raised by the startups.

 

 

Fly Champaign-Urbana Unveiled as New Brand of University of Illinois – Willard Airport

Article Source: Smile Politely #iFlyCU

SAVOY, IL (Aug. 19, 2015) – Fly Champaign-Urbana has officially been unveiled as the new brand for University of Illinois – Willard Airport. New logos, a revamped IFlyCU.com website as well as social media presence on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have been established as part of larger effort to increase awareness of the Airport and encourage Central Illinois travelers to choose Willard Airport. To celebrate, the Airport is partnering with Fighting Illini athletics to host the “Ultimate Illini Flyaway” social media promotion which will begin Monday, August 24.

The new brand is part of an 18 month initiative the University of Illinois – Willard Airport Advisory Board has been working on to pave the way for the Airport’s future. The Advisory Board, which is made up of a group of 20 leaders dedicated to the success of the Airport, has developed a full strategic marketing and air service development plan which will be implemented in the following months. The enhanced branding includes a new website, a traditional advertising campaign, social media and outreach efforts focused on both the general traveling public and local business communities. The new branding was chosen, after research conducted by the Advisory Board identified a need to connect the airport to the two largest cities in the region.

“The new branding is more than a logo, it’s a mission that will drive us forward in our thinking and planning,” said Steve Carter, Chair of the University of Illinois – Willard Airport Advisory Board. “The work of the Advisory Board is already paying off, in 2014 the number of passengers utilizing Willard Airport grew 11 percent, making it the best year since 2008. 2015 is looking even better and we hope the community will realize the value when you Fly Champaign-Urbana with this new branding.”

The logo was designed to match the colors of the Fighting Illini and features easy to read stylistic elements. The jet seen inside the word “Fly” points up, indicating the ascending path of the Airport, the University and the region. The jet is also a silhouette of the current aircraft serving the Airport, and can be adjusted should larger aircraft be deployed in Champaign- Urbana. The official name of the Airport, University of Illinois – Willard Airport, will not change. The newly coined IFlyCU.com website features an easy-to-remember URL that directly corresponds with the new branding.

To celebrate the new Fly Champaign-Urbana brand, the Airport has teamed-up with Fighting Illini athletics for a social media promotion beginning Monday, August 24 and running through Sunday, Sept. 6. Through the Fighting Illini Facebook page, fans may enter to win the grand prize of season tickets to all home Fighting Illini athletic games as well as two tickets to one away football game and a $1,000 American Airlines gift card provided by University of Illinois – Willard Airport. A second prize winner will receive season tickets to all home Fighting Illini basketball games. Details on the contest will be announced on Monday, August 24, on Fighting Illini Facebook page and at the Airport’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

About Fly Champaign-Urbana

When you Fly Champaign-Urbana you save time and money. Minutes from anywhere in Champaign County, University of Illinois – Willard Airport offers competitive fares with access to more than 175 cities on four continents with just a single stop. The Airport is served by American Airlines with six daily non-stop flights to Chicago O’Hare and a daily non-stop flight to Dallas/Ft. Worth on American Eagle. University of Illinois – Willard Airport boasts a terminal facility that is easy to navigate and parking is just a few steps from the plane. Next time you travel, remember to Fly Champaign-Urbana. For more information visit IFlyCU.com.

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BRG Sports Featured on Cover of Central IL Business Magazine

BRG Sports, a 2015 Innovation Celebration award recipient located in Rantoul, is featured on the latest edition of Central Illinois Business Magazine. The article covers their products (including a Hello Kitty bike helmet!), 800,000+ SF manufacturing and distribution facility, and company culture. 

On the cover is Lewis Hornsby, Vice President Global Logistics/Fulfillment and General Manager of Rantoul Operations.

Also featured in the issue is Volition on page 5, a 2014 Innovation Celebration award recipient located in Champaign, and Scientific Animations Without Borders on page 9, a 2015 Innovation Celebration award recipient located at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Pick up a copy on newsstands now or read more online at centralillinoisbusiness.com.

About BRG Sports, Inc.:

BRG Sports is a leading designer, developer and marketer of branded sports equipment, protective products and related accessories. The company markets and licenses products under well-known brands such as Bell, Riddell, Giro, Blackburn, Raskullz, Krash! and BULT. Their products incorporate leading technology and designs, and are used by professional athletes and sports enthusiasts alike. They are headquartered in Scotts Valley, California and have 27 facilities worldwide including their North American distribution hub in Rantoul, Illinois.

2015 Innovation Celebration Winners Announced

Over 400 people gathered at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts for the 10th Annual Innovation Celebration on the evening on March 3rd to recognize those individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions, taken risks, and provided leadership to ensure the continuing economic success of Champaign County, the ongoing success of the University’s economic development mission, and the growth of entrepreneurial talent and energy in the community.

Innovation Celebration is not merely an award for accomplishment, but a benchmark of success for those outstanding individuals, organizations and corporations who are nominated and selected to receive this prestigious award. Additionally, Innovation Celebration serves as a tangible collaboration between the University of Illinois, Parkland College and the community.

The winners were chosen out of more than 100 nominations.

Award Winners
Innovation Transfer Award – University of Illinois
Dr. Kenneth Suslick

Innovation in Engagement Award – Parkland College
Applied Media Promotions (AMP)

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Social Venture Award
Scientific Animations Without Borders (SAWBO)

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Student Startup Award
Rithmio, Inc.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: New Venture Award
Agrible, Inc. (Ag Informatics)

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Advocacy Award
Alex Ruggieri

Innovation: Economic Development Impact Award
BRG Sports, Inc.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Management Award
Cathy Singer – Yahoo!, Inc.

Innovation: Longevity Award
Horizon Hobby

The EDC is pleased to work with the following sponsors of Innovation Celebration 2015: the University of Illinois’ Technology Entrepreneur Center, Research Park, Office of Corporate Relations, and Office of Technology Management, along with Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Parkland College, Singleton Law Firm, Serra Ventures, Ramshaw Real Estate, Pixo, Pavlov Media, Meyer Capel, Martin Hood Friese & Associates, IllinoisVENTURES, Fox Development Corporation, U of I Employees Credit Union, Surface 51, Prominic.NET, Akuna Capital, JSM Development, M2 on Neil, Waterborne Environmental, Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District, and McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff.

A special thanks to 40 North for producing the videos.

Contact:
Carly McCrory, Communications Director
Champaign County Economic Development Corporation
(217) 359-6261
carly@champaigncountyedc.org

Press:

Innovation Celebration for new businesses, WCIA 3News
Individuals, organizations honored for innovation, The News-Gazette
Innovation Celebration: Another scene worth celebrating, Smile Politely
The Risks and Rewards of Innovation, Parkland College
It’s All About U, City of Urbana

Tweets – #INNCEL:

2015 Innovation Celebration

Event Photos:

2015 Innovation Celebration

 

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