On May 8^th the Kane County Leaders Summit hosted key regional, state and national policymakers for a discussion of some of the emerging challenges facing Kane County and the region beyond, as well as various strategies and resources available for sustaining healthy and prosperous communities. The event drew 177 attendees representing local and regional governments, nonprofit institutions, real-estate developers, business operators and health organizations.

Jim Schultz and Randy Blankenhorn, the heads of the Illinois Departments of Commerce & Economic Opportunity and Transportation respectively, discussed at length the importance of maintaining and enhancing the region's transportation infrastructure to remain economically competitive. Both acknowledged the harsh realities of the state's fiscal condition and expressed openness to alternate means for supporting infrastructure projects, be that through expanded public-private partnerships or user-fee based services.

The keynote speaker, Christopher Coes, shared a vision for community design and development driven by changes in attitude toward the types of neighborhoods that people want to live in. He noted that there is growing demand for communities that offer a mix of transportation choices, particularly among Millennials. He also cited the health benefits witnessed among states with higher rates of active transportation use.

Grant funding is now available! Small and medium sized companies can receive up to $5,000 for costs associated with doing business abroad, including education, financing, marketing, compliance, business development, and counseling.  The first round of applications are due May 31, 2015.  Ready to apply? Submit an application.

Please join Metro Chicago Exports, CMMC, and Illinois' SBDCs for a series of Industry Export Programs focused on the fabricated metals industry.  The seminars will help manufacturers understand the benefits of exporting and provide connections to the right resources to grow globally. 

June 4 - Choose DuPage (Lisle)  REGISTER

June 9 - Alliance for Illinois Manufacturing (Chicago) REGISTER

June 16 - Will County Economic Development Corporation (Joliet) REGISTER

June 23 - Lake County Partners (Lincolnshire) REGISTER

June 30 - Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago (Chicago) REGISTER

Future seminars will focus on other industries, including medical equipment, machinery, plastics, and precision instruments.

Metro Chicago Exports is an unprecedented collaboration between the seven counties in Northeastern Illinois (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will) and the City of Chicago to increase exports from small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) and to support regional job growth. 
  

Planning assistance and grants for local projects across metropolitan Chicago are now available through two regional programs: the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Community Planning Program and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) Local Technical Assistance Program.

New this year, the Cook County Department of Public Health's (CCDPH) HealthyHotSpot initiative is partnering with CMAP and the RTA on this joint application to solicit proposals for developing local active transportation (pedestrian and bicycle) plans in suburban Cook County.

See www.rtachicago.com/applications for details and application forms, which are due Thursday, June 25, 2015 at noon. The RTA, CMAP, and CCDPH's Healthy HotSpot all have separate technical assistance programs, but applicants may apply for all three programs by using a single application. Through this coordination, the agencies are able to offer planning and implementation assistance to an expanded base of eligible applicants, align all efforts with the GO TO 2040 comprehensive regional plan, and provide interagency expertise, technical assistance, and capacity.

Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) has entered its 8th year as a leadership development program for youth to learn about our region and contribute to improving its future. Participants in the program will learn more about the northeastern region and share their thoughts with other teens from Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. Participants will also meet and interact with selected regional leaders who make key planning decisions in our communities.

To enhance participants' experience, starting in July this youth leadership development program will transition to a one-week summer format rather than its prior schedule of monthly meetings throughout the school year. Please apply online or share the PDF application, either of which must be submitted by Monday, June 15.

Attendees at the 2015 National LOCUS Leadership Summit will have a unique chance to address their top concerns for building walkable, equitable developments with policymakers and local elected officials.

Once again we turn to you for the next great idea; contribute your suggestion today to shape the unConference Session. Scheduled for June 2 of the Summit, the unConference is an open assembly led by attendees and based on your online submissions. What are you hoping to discuss with industry experts, learn from our panelists, and apply to your business? What tools do you need before closing the next big smart growth deal?

This is your chance to leave your mark on the 2015 National LOCUS Leadership Summit. Lend us your top interests, priority issues, and most pressing concerns to advancing smart growth projects. Together we'll shape the conversation, and work towards solutions to build more walkable, equitable development across the country.

The Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) has developed a set of strategies and a resource guide to help cities meet their needs for "smart city" technical solutions that advance sustainability goals.

The USDN is a peer-to-peer network of local government professionals from over 135 cities across the United States and Canada dedicated to creating a healthier environment, economic prosperity, and increased social equity. This dynamic network enables sustainability directors and staff to share best practices and collaborate to develop and accelerate the application of innovative actions across North America. USDN's ultimate goal is to accelerate effective urban sustainability outcomes at scale.