Representatives of the Stephenson County economic partnership briefed the County Board on Oct. 16 about manufacturing's role in the local economy and steps the partnership is taking to attract and retain workers.

Presenters said roughly 30% of Stephenson County jobs are directly or indirectly related to manufacturing; the presentation cited an average manufacturing wage of about $72,000 and an economic output figure presented as roughly $28.28 million. The partnership described recent company investments they said were enabled by enterprise-zone incentives: a $7 million expansion (adding 42 positions) at Savencia Colbellina and a $5.5 million expansion for a milk intake and storage project at Burner Food and Beverage.

The partnership outlined workforce efforts including a Midland CEO program scheduled to launch in 2026 with Freeport High School and the Foundation for Northwest Illinois; a regional student manufacturing tour set for Oct. 31; and a joint career and job fair planned for Nov. 12. Presenters said the partnership is working with local schools, the Midland Institute and community foundations to create exposure to manufacturing careers and to retain talent.

On talent attraction, the partnership said it is promoting quality-of-life messaging and has created employer toolkits, an online county "badge" for job postings, a reinstated area-advocate program for new employees and VIP tours for high-level hires. "It's not just about a job, it's about a life," one presenter said when describing recruitment messaging.

No formal board action was taken on the presentation. Board members thanked the presenters and moved on to other agenda items.