The Village of Huntley Board of Trustees was presented HuntleyFirst! a new economic development plan created by Business Retention and Expansion Coordinator, Margo Griffin and Business Recruitment Coordinator Victor Narusis.
HuntleyFirst! is aimed at showing industrial, retail and other types of business the benefits of locating to Huntley, IL. The plan states that the main goals of it are to diversify the village’s tax base, increase revenues for the village, create and preserve jobs and improve the quality of life.
Narusis pointed out in the meeting some of the benefits for potential businesses including the housing growth, where Huntley stands just behind Naperville in 2011, the amount of land ready for construction, the competitive wages that McHenry County boasts, low state and local taxes and over $100 million in infrastructure improvements which includes the full-access interchange at I-90 and Route 47 that is projected to be completed in December, 2013.
“Our major cost benefits within the Midwest’s largest market, combined with our highly professional staff and a village board committed to economic development make Huntley the location of first choice for businesses looking to locate or expand,” said Chuck Sass, Village President in a statement.
Along with the proposal the Village launched huntleyfirst.com, a portal for prospective business to gain access to a wealth of information about the Village.
The site gives treasons for potential businesses to live and work in Huntley, what benefits they have over other similar communities, the demographics of the area, and will also allow potential businesses to search available properties which Griffin says is a good because businesses don’t want comb through lists.
The Board of Trustees gave positive feedback to Griffin, Narusis and Village Manager Dave Johnson, but did voice their concerns about how they planned to advertising it. Right now there is no plan to advertise on radio or television, but face to face interaction with people is the plan.
Narusis said Johnson told him that he does not want to see him in the office, but rather on the road pitching to businesses the many advantages the village presents.
