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2018 Innovation Celebration Finalists Announced

CHAMPAIGN, IL, February 23, 2018 – The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce finalists for the 13th Annual Innovation Celebration in recognition of 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 our 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 Champaign County EDC, University of Illinois, Parkland College, and the community.

The winner of each award category will be announced at Innovation Celebration 2018, held at Parkland College on Thursday, March 29, 2018 from 5:30 – 8:30 pm. To RSVP and learn more about the event, visit www.innovationcelebration.com.

Award Finalists

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Social Venture Award
Serve as change agents by creating and implementing sustainable solutions to reshape society, benefit humanity, and address social concerns.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Student Startup Award
Formed by students in the last three years and demonstrates a commitment to continuing success through entrepreneurial talent, creativity and energy.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: New Venture Award
Formed in the last three years, and demonstrates a commitment to continuing success through entrepreneurial talent, creativity and energy.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Advocacy Award
Actively engage, encourage, coach and mentor entrepreneurs in the community, and provide extensive support to help them achieve success.

  • Ken Taylor
  • Stephanie Larson
  • Kathie Cravens

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Management Award
Demonstrates expertise in assembling resources, creating an organization, and working to build and implement effective action plans.

Innovation: Economic Development Impact Award
Has made a significant economic development impact in the community and continues to demonstrate their commitment to Champaign County.

2018 Innovation Transfer Award—University of Illinois
Recognizes an individual or group from the University of Illinois whose research has resulted in either a discovery or a work with the potential for significant societal impact.

 2018 Alexis Wernsing Innovation Award—University of Illinois
Recognizes an individual or team from the University of Illinois that has channeled their experience living with a disability into positive change through the creation of new products, environments, or protocols that enhance quality of life.

2018 Innovation in Engagement Award—Parkland College
Recognizes an individual or group at Parkland College who has shown support of the college’s community engagement mission.

The EDC is pleased to work with the following sponsors of our 13th Annual Innovation Celebration: the University of Illinois’ Technology Entrepreneur Center, Research Park, Office of Corporate Relations, and Office of Technology Management, along with Parkland College, Lodgic, Carle, Serra Ventures, Surface 51, Singleton Law Firm, City of Champaign, Ramshaw Real Estate, Litania Sports Group, Pixo, Hatch Ag Group, IllinoisVENTURES, Huawei R&D USA, Aqueous Solutions LLC, Personify, AARP, Hanson Financial, Community Solutions Incubator at the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois, II-VI EpiWorks, Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC, and Busey.

 

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Press:

2018 Innovation Celebration Award finalists announced, Smile Politely

 

Willard Airport Sees 12% Passenger Growth in 2017

From the press release:

For the first time in ten years, the University of Illinois hosted over 100,000 departing passengers through Willard Airport leading to more than 200,000 total passengers traveling to and from the Champaign-Urbana region through the airport.

The increase in passenger traffic is accredited to American Airlines increasing the number of flights in and out of the airport as well as United Airlines which began service between Champaign-Urbana (CMI) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) on June 8, 2017.

“With the increase in American Airlines flights and the new service from United Airlines, Willard Airport saw almost 50,000 additional seats available for all departing and arriving passengers in 2017. This growth in service is a boon for everyone in our community,” said Gene Cossey, Executive Director of Willard Airport.

Including all airline operations and charter operations, Willard Airport enplaned 104,596 passengers in 2017 which is highest number of enplaned passengers since 2007.

Press:

Willard Airport flew higher in 2017, The News-Gazette

Willard Airport saw growth in passenger traffic in 2017, Smile Politely

Willard’s passenger numbers soar 12 percent in 2017, The News-Gazette

Airport sees most passengers in 10 years, WCIA 3 News

 

 

Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP)

The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) recently announced receipt of an Employer Training Investment Program grant (ETIP) for fiscal year 2018 through the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The grant term will be July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018. All training that occurs during this time period may qualify for reimbursement based on eligibility requirements.

Participating companies must have a physical location in the state of Illinois and agree to train only their full-time Illinois based employees. Each participating company must complete a company profile identifying the company location from which their employees will be participating and schedules detailing all training each company has completed. The schedules must include number of participants, dates of training, and cost of training. These reports for the first two quarters (July 1 to December 31, 2017) must be forwarded by email only to Janie Stanley, Revenue & Grant Administrator at jstanley@ima-net.org, no later than Monday, February 19, 2018.

Grant funds may be used to cover no more than 50% of actual approved expenses related to the training for a company’s full-time employees. Participating companies are required to fund a match amount of the remaining 50 percent. Eligible expenditures must fall within the following budget categories:

  • Internal (employee) trainer costs (wages)
  • External vendor/trainer or tuition expense (copies of paid invoices must also be submitted)

A few important notes:

  • The IMA will work with companies to collect and submit the proper forms. DCEO has the sole discretion in determining the final approved funding level for ETIP grants.
  • New for this grant, leadership training is included as an eligible expenditure.

For more information, visit: http://ima-net.org/ima-member-benefit-programs/.

Monsanto Opens Innovation Center at University of Illinois Research Park

From the press release:

Champaign, Illinois (February 1, 2018) – The University of Illinois today announced that Monsanto (NYSE: MON), a global agriculture company headquartered in St. Louis, and The Climate Corporation, a subsidiary of Monsanto, have opened the Monsanto Innovation Center at the University of Illinois Research Park.

When fully staffed, the Monsanto Innovation Center will employ more than two dozen students who will enhance and augment a robust agricultural innovation portfolio with additional enabling capabilities like IT, data science and engineering. Students will focus on cutting-edge, real-world, social, scientific challenges in areas like advanced analytics, operations research, phenomics, genomics, plant science and precision breeding technologies. The center will employ students who are studying disciplines such as electrical engineering, UX design, mechanical engineering, software engineering and imaging sensor science.

The Center will use digital tools and data to drive agricultural innovations which increase efficiency and reduce the amount of water, land, and energy necessary to meet the world’s food, fuel and fiber needs.

 

13th Annual Innovation Celebration: Save the Date + Nominations Open

We are pleased to announce the 13th Annual Innovation Celebration in recognition of 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 our community.

Thursday, March 29, 2018
5:30 – 8:30 pm

Parkland College – Student Union
2400 West Bradley Avenue
Champaign, IL 61821

#INNCEL

The awards have been established to recognize the various ways in which individuals and organizations have utilized innovation, creativity, and leadership for entrepreneurial endeavors and economic development in the community. Please nominate as many people/organizations as you would like.

Nominations are open to the public and will be accepted through 5 PM on January 24, 2018. Submit your nomination(s) here. 

Nominations will be viewed and judged by a panel of past winners, sponsors and community & university leaders. Finalists will be announced in early February 2018.

Innovation Celebration is hosted by the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation in partnership with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Parkland College, and community sponsors.

For sponsorship information, please contact Carly McCrory via email or 217-359-6261.

To learn more about the event, view past award winners, watch our videos, and RSVP, visit our event website.

Awards & Descriptions

Innovation Transfer Award-University of Illinois
Recognizes an individual or group from the University of Illinois whose research has resulted in either a discovery or a work with the potential for significant societal impact.

Alexis Wernsing Innovation Award-University of Illinois
Recognizes an individual or team from the University of Illinois that has channeled their experience living with a disability into positive change through the creation of new products, environments, or protocols that enhance quality of life.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Social Venture Award
Serve as change agents by creating and implementing sustainable solutions to reshape society, benefit humanity, and address social concerns.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Student Startup Award
Formed by students in the last three years and demonstrates a commitment to continuing success through entrepreneurial talent, creativity and energy.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: New Venture Award
Formed in the last three years, and demonstrates a commitment to continuing success through entrepreneurial talent, creativity and energy.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Advocacy Award
Actively engage, encourage, coach and mentor entrepreneurs in the community, and provide extensive support to help them achieve success.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Management Award
Demonstrates expertise in assembling resources, creating an organization, and working to build and implement effective action plans.

Innovation: Economic Development Impact Award
Has made a significant economic development impact in the community and continues to demonstrate their commitment to Champaign County.

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