Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Developer Believes Conditions Improving

Galesburg, lIL – Galesburg's chief economic development worker believes his successor will have an easier time of it than he has had. Eric Voyles is leaving for a similar job in Rockford. Shortly after he started the Galesburg Regional Economic Development Association five years ago, the town lost most of its manufacturing plants, including Admiral, Butler, National Steel and others. Voyles says developers must focus first on retention and only then can they attract manufacturing plants. He says there will be more "botique" manufacturers, who ship parts for assembly much more than used to be the case. Voyles also believes the state has developed good incentives, but the cost of doing business in Illinois is higher than in most neighboring states.