Economic Development

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Cesar Suarez, Director of Economic Development

Phone: 309/345-3680
55 W. Thomkins Street
Galesburg, IL 61401
 
 
Cesar Suarez began his duties as Economic Development Director for the City of Galesburg on August 20, 2007.  His key goal is to work with development partners throughout the City to prepare and position Galesburg for future growth.  Specific areas of responsibilities include: a) entrepreneurial development, b) downtown revitalization, c) retail development, d) industrial recruitment, and e) business development throughout the City.

Cesar has worked in the field of community/economic development for the past 20 years in urban, suburban, and rural settings.  Previously, Cesar served as Economic Development Director for the City of Centralia. He’s held positions as a Chamber Director for West Bend, WI, Executive Director of an Economic Development Corporation in Brookfield, IL, and started his career as a community organizer in Milwaukee, WI in 1991.

Cesar has earned an M.B.A at SIU-Carbondale along with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering Technology.
 

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Eric Dilts, Incubator Director

Phone: 309/371-0472
2900 W. Main Street
Galesburg, IL 61401
 

Eric Dilts has over a decade of experience in senior executive management, and brings his skills to the Sustainable Business Center as Incubator Director. 

Prior to joining the City of Galesburg's EBI Network, Eric was the President of an international media company, where he was responsible for the management of the North American sales and service operations for a Sweedish technology firm.  Eric was a leader behind many successful partnerships in the growing field of alternative energy. 

Eric moved to the area from Southern California and holds a BA from Southern Illinois University.  He holds a certificate in Serial Innovation from the University of Illinois BIS program. In 2004, Eric was awarded the College of Liberal Arts Distinguished Alumni Award from SIU.

The Sustainable Business Center (SBC) is a 88,000 sf business incubator that supports the development of start-ups and/or the advancement of existing companies that are focused on green and clean technologies.
 
Visit www.sustainablebusinesscenter.com for more information.
 
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Gary Camarano, Global Strategies Director

Phone: 309/371-0474
2900 W. Main Street
Galesburg, IL 61401
 

The goal of the Global Strategies Director is to encourage collaboration, innovation, and globalization among existing businesses and industries in West Central Illinois by addressing common challenges and pursuing common opportunities. This would include identifying growth opportunities, expanding markets, removing obstacles to growth, increasing investment, and facilitating the retention and creation of jobs.

Gary has over 30 years of experience in Investment and Commercial Banking and has founded and sold two financial service companies. He holds a B.A. in Political Science & Metropolitan Studies from Valparaiso University and an M.P.A. from Kent State University. Gary received IEDC certification from Southern Illinois University.  He also holds certificates in Emergency and Disaster Management (Harper College), Innovation (Northwestern University), and Serial Innovation (University of Illinois BIS).

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Ryan Lilly, Entrepreneurship Center Manager

Phone: 309/371-0473
2900 W. Main Street
Galesburg, IL 61401
 

Ryan Lilly manages the Entrepreneurship Center of West Central Illinois. The mission of the Entrepreneurship Center (EC) is to regionally educate, engage and empower entrepreneurs by providing confidential, one-on-one business counseling and technical assistance to current small business owners and startups. Services provided include: business planning, feasibility analysis, retail site selection, marketing research, financing, and guidance on e-commerce and social networking.

Ryan is a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) with a B.S. in Management and a concentration in Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology Management.  He has also earned a certifiate in Serial Innovation from the University of Illinois BIS program. Ryan interned at Virginia Tech's Knowledge Works Business Accelerator and has a passion for assisting new companies. He plans on soon pursuing a part-time MBA program in Entrepreneurship.

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News & Announcements

silk_road_conf_logo
5/18/2012 9:46:00 AM
Silk Road trade route reaches Galesburg
Gary Camarano, from the EBI Network, attended the Silk Route Conference 2012, in Chicago, an annual meeting between Central Asian countries and Midwest...
 
aquaponics_thumb
5/11/2012 11:44:00 AM
Galesburg explores Aquaponics
With the 'Grow Local' food movement gaining popularity among consumers and food establishments, and the desire for a year round supply of locally grown...
 
salmon
5/8/2012 3:20:00 PM
Sustainable Business Center Welcomes Sitka Salmon Shares
The Sustainable Business Center is very pleased to announce that Sitka Salmon Shares is the fourth tenant to be admitted into the business incubator.
 
innovation_award
5/4/2012 1:22:00 PM
Nominations for the 2012 Chicago Innovation Awards now open
Nominations for the prestigious 2012 Chicago Innovation Awards opened May 1, and will close July 15, 2012. The EBI Network is looking for innovative companies...
 
SBC_logo
4/9/2012 8:15:00 AM
SBC and City welcome Congressman Schilling
The Sustainable Business Center and the City of Galesburg welcomed Congressman Bobby Schilling, US Representative for Illinois' 17th congressional district,...
 
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