The mission statement for the City of Naperville is: “To provide services that ensure a high quality of life for our residents and a dynamic environment for our business community through collaboration, innovation, and sound fiscal management.”  One of the four “ends policies” the Naperville City Council and City staff identified in 2015 to realize this mission is economic development-Naperville will be the location of choice for businesses.

Evidence abounds that this “end policy” is being operationalized. We have highlighted Naperville’s successes in this area including our city being ranked top in retail sales in the Chicago Metropolitan suburbs.  New businesses continue to choose Naperville as their place of operation.   Most recently, at their August 20th meeting this week, our council members adopted a resolution with their intent to consider a “business district” designation to support investment in blight areas of the city such as the long- vacated Sam’s Club and Walmart on Route 59.  This along with other efforts, support future economic growth in our area.

The success of our business community contributes significantly to the tax revenues generated.  But, how will these revenues be invested to ensure our business community continues to flourish?  Will Naperville continue to be the location of choice for businesses?

On September 10th at 7:30 a.m., our members will have the opportunity to hear from city officials about how they are proposing to allocate tax revenues. In addition, members will have the opportunity for meaningful dialogue to discuss their priorities and concerns.      
     
Click here to register.  Contact me anytime with questions (630) 544-3387 or rosborne@naperville.net.

Reading a recent U. S. Chamber article about the impact of local businesses on the big comeback of Detroit, host city of the national Democratic Debate last week, I was reminded once again how business success means major wins for their local communities.  From General Motors compost collection program to cultivate urban gardens throughout the city to the Ford Motor Foundation’s pledge of $125 million to combat Detroit’s bankruptcy challenges, the business community played a key role in Detroit’s recovery from bankruptcy a decade ago.  Click Here for to the full article.  In fact, according to Charity Navigator, corporate giving reached in $20.77 billion in overall giving in 2017 alone.

The same generosity can be seen in our local community as well.  I am inspired by our local business members who give back to our local non-profits.   Go to any non-profit agency’s website or review list of donors at their fundraising events and you will invariably find many our local businesses listed.  Corporate social responsibility has become a core value of many companies. In addition to sponsorships, many businesses match employee giving to their favorite charity and engage in business-wide volunteerism to help charities complete major projects.

Whether through corporate sponsorship or through a corporation’s foundation, the business community provides the underpinning to strengthen our community. NACC actively advocates on behalf of our businesses to ensure they can thrive in the best climate possible.  When businesses thrive, the local community thrives.

NACC recently joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s effort to urge Congress to pass the U.S. -Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).  This coalition letter sent this week to members of the U.S. Congress was signed by more than 600 organizations nationwide.  NACC joined in their efforts because we believe the passage of USMCA will significantly impact our business community.  Please click here to read the support letter.
USMCA is a trade deal to replace NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement).  NAFTA was negotiated a quarter century ago, when there was no e-commerce therefore has no rules are in place to foster growth in the digital economy.  The government of Mexico was the first country to ratify the agreement back in June. The Canadian Prime Minister has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to passing USMCA however, Canada has not yet officially ratified the agreement.  We are waiting on our Congress to approve the deal.
 
Key Reasons for our Support:

• Illinois exported an estimated $27.6 Billion to Canada and Mexico in 2017 alone

• Mexico and Canada are the top two export destinations for U.S. small and medium-size businesses
  

• More than 12 million American jobs depend on trade with Canada and Mexico

• USMCA creates rules to foster growth in the digital economy
  

• USMCA ensures a level playing field for U.S. financial institutions, investors and investments in financial institutions as well as cross-border trade in financial services on a nondiscriminatory basis.
  
• USMCA guarantees the freedom to move data across borders and prohibiting the forced localization of data, thereby ensuring continued growth for a dynamic area of international commerce.
  

Click Here to learn more about USMCA direct impact on Illinois.
 
We will keep you abreast of the status of the USMCA Please contact us if you would like to get more involved with our Business Works efforts.

Infrastructure is defined as the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society.  Not only roads, bridges and airports, it encompasses electric grids, water treatment facilities, mass transit systems and more.  A $45 billion infrastructure plan was signed into law at the close of the IL legislative session with bi-partisan support.(SB 1939) While it comes with a price tag, double the state’s gas tax, annual automobile registration fee increases, etc., this is the first meaningful infrastructure bill since 1990.   Click here to see the Illinois Chamber of Commerce’s summary of the bill and planned allocations for infrastructure investments.  

Since infrastructure is not a state specific issue, a larger federal investment is needed to have the intended result to positively impact our “arteries of commerce” on the broad scale.  However, necessary strides have not yet been accomplished despite bi-partisan support in Congress.  Click Here for recent article contrasting the success at the state vs. the federal level.

The U.S. Chamber has joined forces with a number of transportation, business and labor groups to actively lobby for a much needed robust federal infrastructure investment.  Click Here for video from the   U.S. Chamber of Commerce underscoring the negative impact that chronic underinvestment in infrastructure is having on our economy and the safety of the motoring public as part of their, Let’s Rebuild America, campaign.

As with most issues, the task is to find the funding source for federal legislation to be successfully passed.   An increase in the federal gasoline excise tax is an obvious source but with the recent increase in the state’s gas tax, not a popular option here in Illinois.  Another option proposed by the U.S. Chamber is a plan to strengthen and expand federal loan programs to facilitate public-private partnerships.

We will keep you abreast of progress toward gaining the necessary infrastructure for our businesses to flourish.  Please contact us if you would like to get more involved with our Business Works efforts.

Community and economic development in lock step has resulted in Naperville being ranked nationally as a top place to live, work, play and raise families.  The Illinois Department of Revenue recently released statistics showing Naperville continuing to be ranked top in retail sales in the Chicago Metropolitan suburbs.  In addition, they have been in a top spot for restaurant and bar sales, car sales, grocery stores and home improvement stores sales for several years.  Click here for more details of the success of our retailers.  In addition,  a bill passed this legislative session (SB690) require on-line retailers to pay state and local sales tax will further build on Naperville’s strong tax based.   NACC celebrates this success because tax revenues generated from these sales provide the bedrock for our vibrant community. 
 
This success, however, does not happen by accident.  It takes our city council being open to re-examining city ordinances to ensure our existing local businesses can operate with greater success while keenly protecting the interests of our community residents.  Click here for more details on a recent city council vote to adjust the city code to allow tattooing and microblading to support a growing market for these services.
 
The NACC works closely with our local elected officials, city staff, the Naperville Development Partnership and other groups to provide a fertile environment to attract businesses who are looking to invest in the Naperville area. However, we need to underscore that a desirable community life is a key determinate for larger corporations in choosing where to relocate. This is where our great schools, city services, engaged residents, recreational opportunities, etc. play a vital role in our success.  The City of Naperville is in the process of gleaning public input into its revised comprehensive master plan for development.  Click here for more information on how to get involved in this process of creating a collective voice (both businesses and residents) for future development in Naperville.
 
When looking at community and economic development, maintaining the status quo is rarely an option – either a community moves itself forward or by default moves backward. Maintaining a strong community while supporting business growth will position us for sustained success.   #NACCBusinessWorks