March 28, 2024
Local News | Bureau County Republican


Local News

EDCNCI hires chief executive officer

Following a two-month search, the Economic Development Corporation of North Central Illinois (EDCNCI) has hired Ivan Baker as the chief executive officer for the new organization.

Baker has more than 30 years experience in economic development management, marketing and consulting, the last 13 years in the village of Tinley Park. Under his direction there, the village was recognized as the first and only internationally accredited economic development organization in Illinois. His management efforts also generated the distinction as national winner for economic development excellence from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Award for Municipal Economic Development from the National League of Cities.

“The EDCNCI has the potential to really change the future of the region,” stated President Jim Riley. “With Baker’s leadership, our potential will be realized, and our children and grandchildren will have the best hope for a great lifestyle as North Central Illinois citizens.”

“I am excited about the opportunity to work with the new EDCNCI organization and all of the regional partners,” said Baker. “Together, we can effectively build on your great success, promote a community/economic development program that serves residents, plus achieve important benchmarks in new tax revenue, capital investment, job creation and business development.”

Baker, who is originally from rural western Kansas, is married to wife, Mary, has two children and four grandchildren.

The EDCNCI is a tri-county organization of public and private investors from LaSalle, Bureau and Putnam counties. It grew from the universal ideal that through collaboration the area could showcase the region’s natural, business and workforce assets in order to retain and grow business and investment to our area.

“Baker brings a diversified wealth of knowledge and experience to our organization,” Riley said. “He has established professional contacts on both sides of the development process and is skilled in identifying programs and resources needed to finalize opportunities for growth.”

Baker is a certified economic developer (CEcD), an AICP Certified Planner, and an International Economic Development Council member since 1988. During his tenure as economic development coordinator and community development manager, he has successfully been responsible for over 9 million square feet and $2.5 billion in new commercial and industrial capital investments.

He coordinated nationally-recognized economic and business development with corporate executives and public-sector allies, organizing comprehensive multi-task responsibilities for business expansion, retention, and relocation ... including financing, training, real-estate site selection, staffing, tax incentives, infrastructure improvements and public relations. The result has been hundreds of diverse corporate development projects for large and small businesses, including multi-million dollar investments by Fortune 500 companies and international firms.

Don Finley, mayor of Oglesby and vice president of the EDCNCI, expressed his pleasure on Baker’s recruitment.

“Baker’s the top in his field, and I see many good things coming out of our organization with him at the helm.”

Next steps for the EDCNCI will involve meeting and working with area partners; creating a strategic plan; developing a brand and marketing presence; finalizing office space and hiring supporting staff. Members of the Board of Directors will also be continuing to invite further involvement and investment from the area.

“It is satisfying to have the goals of the original steering group for this regional presence beginning to solidify and move forward,” Finley said.