Jefferson County, IL - 2003 Community Profile

Jefferson County has a rich and diverse economic history. The county was first known for its agricultural production, which mainly consisted of corn. In fact, for many years bread in Jefferson County was made of corn meal. But as the years progressed, so did farming methods in the region, and now wheat, corn, soybeans and grain sorghum are grown extensively throughout the area. Fruit orchards have also been sources of important cash crops in the county.

As we enter the new millennium, grapes have become very important to the county, thanks to the opening of the GenKota Winery.

Through the years, Mt. Vernon has experienced many periods of economic turmoil, but has always bounced back bigger and stronger than ever. Much of this resilience is due to Mt. Vernon’s being the crossroads of Interstates 57 and 64.

Continental Tire North America has been a part of southern Illinois for over 25 years. The relationship between the company and the community is ongoing and very beneficial for all concerned. Continental Tire North America not only serves as an employer to many people in the community, but also supports the local cleaning and
transportation industries in the area, among other businesses.

Continental Tire North America employs people from 110 different zip codes across the southern portion of the state. The secret of the company’s prosperity is its ability to compete, with a quality product that is delivered on time at a fair price. The success of the business is directly related to the people who make up its workforce.

Continental Tire North America has truly become a member of the community. Through the involvement of its employees (more than 2,100 in the Mt. Vernon facility) and company donations, the business has actively participated in community efforts such as funding for local educational events, youth leagues, local government, the Chamber of Commerce and civic projects.

With over 25 years of stable, successful business history in Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County, Continental Tire North America faces the future with great anticipation for the challenges ahead.

Walgreen’s, the nation’s leading drugstore chain, has been committed to furthering economic development in Mt. Vernon for nearly a decade. The recent $60 million expansion of the company’s Mt. Vernon Distribution Center doubled the size of the facility.

The distribution center has grown from 368,000 square feet to 865,000 square feet, with employee numbers rising from 160 to more than 1,333. The center shipped more than 26 million cases in 2002, up over 12 percent from 2001. The Mt. Vernon center stocks 723 stores as well as handling all “central-pick” items for the entire chain (3,958 stores), putting more than $60 million yearly into the local economy.

“If you took all of the merchandise we receive daily, stacked it on pallets 4' high, and lined them up end to end, it would be 3 miles long. … If you took all of the cases/totes we ship daily and lined them up end to end, it would be 6 miles long. … If you took all of the miles that the Mt Vernon fleet drives every day, it would take you twice around the earth at the equator.

“So, what do we do here at the Distribution Center?

“Three miles in … 6 miles out … twice around the world … every day,” says plant manager Steve Lawrence.

Walgreen’s commitment to excellence is summed up in their mission statement: Our mission is the never-ending pursuit of better ways to manage the flow of merchandise from our suppliers to our customers.

Small Business Development Center

The Rend Lake College Small Business Development Center has been providing assistance to all sectors of the local business community for many years. And now, a recent address change will make it even more accessible for individuals in Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County. The Small Business Development Center is now part of the RLC MarketPlace in Mt. Vernon, with Curt Mowrer serving as the director for both.

The SBDC mission is to assist small businesses in start-ups, expansions and purchases, while providing customized training programs, consultations and economic development assistance to larger industries. These programs utilize all available college resources in order to maximize cooperative efforts between industry and education. Services are available to clients at no charge or for a very nominal fee, based on the extent of services required and the availability of resources.

Anyone thinking about starting a small business, or purchasing or expanding an existing one, is encouraged to take advantage of the assistance provided by the center. Many area lenders refer clients to the Small Business Development Center for assistance in developing a business plan and loan packaging.

The Small Business Development Center has been developed through a partnership involving the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Community Affairs, and Rend Lake College, as a service to Illinois small business under cooperative agreement #10-7620-0014-17.

To schedule an appointment for counseling, or for more information, please contact the Small Business Development Center. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday–Friday. Following are some of the services area businesses and entrepreneurs can access.

Counseling

• General Business Counseling
• Business Plan Development
• Technology Referrals
• Consultant Referrals
• Government Procurement Referrals

Workshops/Training

• Computer Applications
• Tax Seminars
• Human Resources
• Hospitality
• Management Training

Timely seminars on business planning, marketing, management, tax preparation and accounting procedures are held throughout the year. Computer workshops featuring up-to-date training on the latest software programs are also offered. Each program can be customized to meet the needs of individual businesses. Additionally, assistance is available for individuals investigating the start-up of a new business. Information on business planning, research and registration is provided, as well as customized job training designed to meet the needs of each firm. This service is available for marketing, management, industrial and technical applications and is offered on-campus at Rend Lake College or on-site at the client firm. Staff will work with individuals to obtain training grants and other forms of economic development assistance.