CHICAGO – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced a $150,000 workforce grant to the City of North Chicago to assist with its planning and development needs as a result of consolidation and realignment activities at the Naval Station, Great Lakes, which were recommended by the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission in 2005 and approved by the President. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Labor, and is administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), to assist with planning efforts throughout the state for BRAC impacted communities.
“The Naval Station is an integral part of the employment and economic base of North Chicago, Lake County and the entire region. To minimize the impact of BRAC, we need to come up with strategic and forward-thinking plans for the community and the region as a whole to create greater workforce opportunities. Through this support, we are helping to put important planning efforts in place that will create a stronger vision for future economic development and position the area so more people can have better jobs,” Gov. Blagojevich said.
The Great Lakes Naval Recruit Training Command (RTC) is the central processing location for Naval recruits. The RTC is the largest military installation in Illinois, and the largest training center in the Navy with approximately 50,000 recruits passing through it annually with an estimated 15,000 recruits onboard the installation at any time. The base includes 1,153 buildings on 1,628 acres and uses 50 miles of roadway to provide access to the Center's facilities and is the third largest base in the Navy. The 2005 BRAC Commission recommended to close several naval installations and support activity across the country and consolidate these functions.
The grant funding will support specific planning efforts to foster workforce and economic development among the cities and towns in the Lake County region with those of the Naval Station. The City of North Chicago will work together with others in the community, including local government officials, economic development professionals, educational institutions and local businesses, to develop and prepare a master plan for the region that will serve as a guide for future development of the area. Funding will also support a transition study to identify the civilian jobs that will be affected by BRAC realignment, with an emphasis on how these civilian workers could fill jobs being created at the base, in coordination with local workforce investment activities to assist with job search and training needs. Additionally, the City will conduct a feasibility study that further develops the concept of a medical/life science and biotech district in the North Chicago region.
“With investments like these, Gov. Blagojevich continues to demonstrate his commitment to fostering economic development at the local level where it’s needed the most. The men and women who work at the Naval Station will continue to be a key component to our regional economy and, through this support, we will continue to help this military installation and community grow and expand together,” State Senator Terry Link (D-Waukegan) said.
“We have an important opportunity to help put together a comprehensive plan that will allow North Chicago, Lake County and the entire region to take advantage of all of our strategic assets and help attract new jobs here. The Naval Station will continue to play an essential economic role, and we must work together on plan that will help us capitalize on that and reach our vast economic potential,” said State Representative Eddie Washington (D-Waukegan).
“The Naval Station, Great Lakes plays an invaluable role in our nation’s defense and serves as an engine of economic growth in our community. Though this grant assistance, we will be better able to evaluate our strengths and challenges and put a plan in place for future growth. My thanks to Gov. Blagojevich for his support from day one to keep the economy of our region going strong,” said North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham.
“For more than 80 years, Great Lakes has been turning civilians into seamen and seamen into sailors and will continue to play a critical role in our nation’s preparedness and security. Gov. Blagojevich and I are happy to be working together with the City of North Chicago to put together a strong and innovative strategic plan to prepare the regional economy for both today and tomorrow,” DCEO Director Jack Lavin said.
Illinois led the nation in monthly job growth in 2006 in both April and July, which has never happened twice before in one year in recorded history. Since January 2004, Illinois has gained nearly 158,000 new jobs, which is best in the Midwest.
In December, the Illinois unemployment rate remained at 4.1 percent, which is its lowest level on record, for the third consecutive month. It remained below the national rate for six months in 2006, which is the first time this has happened since 1997. The unemployment rate in Lake County has declined from 6.4 percent in January 2003 to 3.8 percent in December 2006. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security compiled these statistics.
Site Selection Magazine also ranked the Chicagoland area the top metro region for new and expanded corporate facilities in 2005, while Illinois was third in the nation.