CARTERVILLE - West Frankfort Mayor Larry Warren's reason for attending Thursday's economic development summit was simple. "I'm here to gather all the information I possibly can," said Warren, who was sworn in as the city's mayor last month.

"We have a large job before us in West Frankfort and I'm willing to work with anyone and everyone to see that our vision for the future is accomplished for West Frankfort and all of Southern Illinois."

The summit, the second in a series sponsored by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and area Regional Planning Commissions, provided ample opportunity for Warren to seek advice and help from about 100 other community leaders and economic developers who attended the meeting held at John A. Logan College.

"I am always on the hunt for new ideas and I don't mind hearing about other people's ideas and experiences, especially what kind of economic assistance is available for the city and avenues we should take to pursue it," he said.

Stephanie Rhodes, agritourism development coordinator for Shawnee Community College and the Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau, was another first-time attendee at the summit. "I'm new to the business, so every gathering like this offers me another name, and excellent resource, to add to my network," she said.

And while Doc Milner of the Southern Illinois Tourism Development Office has been in the economic development business for 35 years, he said he always learns by his attendance at such events. "There is a lot of sharing of ideas. I'll pick up something here, it never fails," he said. "I came for the networking

and also to foster more regionalism. We have to work together."

Such comments must be music to the ears of summit leader Larry Woolard of the DCEO, who said while speakers offered a wealth of information, the networking opportunities afforded to attendees played a more crucial role in the success of the summit.

"Most importantly, economic developers from throughout Southern Illinois come together and gain an understanding of what each other does, what our assets are and how we can work together toward a common goal," he said.

To further advance that idea, Woolard made sure each table had people from a mix of regions. "We don't want the five people who came from Williamson County together to sit together at the same table. We scattered people so they could get acquainted with different people, places and concepts," Woolard said. "If nothing else, I think people will leave here with the recognition that we all have the same desires, beliefs and convictions. We sincerely want to improve life in Southern Illinois so that not just our children, but our grandchildren will have the opportunity to stay here and raise their families here."

Among the speakers were Lisa Thurston, executive director of the Southern 5 Regional Planning Commission, who explained the role the four area commissions can play in economic development, and James "Rusty" Wanstreet of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development, who discussed the possibility of forming a broadband initiative so the region can "get connected" with the future.

Josh Weger, policy adviser to DCEO's director, spoke about a new economic development tool available to help developers market locations to manufacturing and business site selectors. Location One is a Web-based tool, available through the DCEO, that provides worldwide exposure of buildings and locations ripe for development, as well as offering other information for site selectors such as community profiles.

"Many communities are eliminated from competition without even knowing it," Weger said. "Eighty-five to 90 percent of site selection begins on the Internet. If you don't have information on a site, you are at a considerable disadvantage."

Another summit will be held in about three months.

beckym@onecliq.net

618-927-5633

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