Forecasting and Green Development

GC2: “Forecasting and Green Development”

by

Julie Buck, executive director

 

Is Grundy County still the next frontier in northeastern Illinois?

 

For years we’ve planned for the growth coming at Grundy County from the city and suburbs.  Then the market turned.  Will the growth predictions go back to pre-downturn predictions?  Should our planning take a different strategy?  What can local governments do in a down market to lure development?

 

Also, when that development comes, how do we incorporate best management practices in “green” development to assure the quality and sustainability of our natural resources?  Are there ways for elected and appointed planning officials, developers, landowners, and conservation advocates to collaborate around growth and planning so that it is a “win-win” for all?

 

To help answer these questions, the theme of this year’s Grundy County Growth Conference (GC2) is “Forecasting and Green Development.”  Please join us on October 30th as we take our annual look at planning issues in Grundy County.  This conference is ideal for all local units of government, elected & appointed planning officials, developers, landowners, conservation advocates, planning professionals, and the public in general.

 

We hope our line-up of presenters will bring an additional level of education, awareness, and techniques to assist all of us as we work toward planning the future of Grundy County.

 

Sessions:

  • “Midwest Economic Forecast” – Rick Mattoon, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
  • “ Regional Planning and Going to 2040” – Ty Warner, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
  • “Market Barriers to Green Development” – Chris Choi, US EPA Region 5
  • “The Future of the Real Estate Market” – Chris Huecksteadt, MetroStudy
  • “Incentivizing, Encouraging, and Requiring Green Development” – Ben Carlisle of Teska Associates and Karl Heitman of Heitman Architects
  • “Grundy Roadwork Update” – Rick Powell, IDOT Region 2 Engineer

 

Also, thank you to our sponsors for their financial support of this conference:

Grundy County Land Use Department

Christopher B. Burke Engineering

Chamlin & Associates

SPACECO, Inc.

Teska Associates

Balasa, Dinverno, Foltz

Horizon Wind Energy

Grundy County Farm Bureau

Robinson Engineering

StormTrap

 

GC2 is Friday, October 30th, from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm at First Christian Church, 455 W. Southmor Road, Morris.  Registration is $10 in advance and $15 at the door.  Please call the Community Foundation of Grundy County at 941-0852 or e-mail [email protected] to register and to get more information.

 

We look forward to seeing you there!