State Readying Assistance for Businesses, Communities Interested in Job Growth

A federal initiative designed to provide the skillset needed by all people to become effective workers and to achieve the American dream was the topic of the November First Friday Luncheon. The luncheon is hosted each month by the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce.

(MICHAEL BAKER)

Michael Baker, Manager of Strategic Planning and Innovation for the Illnois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, served as guest speaker. Baker explained that there are monies to help with training and with assimilating all kinds of people into the workforce.

US Secretary of Labor Tom Perez calls the initiative an "Eisenhower moment", comparing the former president's move to establish a national infrastructure through the interstate highway system to the new effort to develop a workforce infrastructure.

Baker said a regional meeting will take place in Effingham early in December to explain the program more thoroughly and to help build a network of business, government and others to establish the program in this area.

Also at the First Friday Luncheon, Chamber President Norma Lansing made note of the number of initiatives already in place or developing here, including plans for a workforce training center in Effingham adjoining the Lake Land College Kluthe Center.