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Galesburg strategic plan to be unveiled at leadership breakfast next month

The Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development’s annual meeting is approaching, and Partnership President Ken Springer says he “wants to go big” with this one.

Springer tells Galesburg’s Morning News on WGIL the “leadership breakfast” will feature guest speaker Dr. Steven VanAusdle from Walla Walla Community College.

“Dr. VanAusdle’s got a really interesting story about how Walla Walla was able to transform their economy after the timber industry suffered some hard times out there on the west coast,” he says. “They were actually able to innovate and build their community up as a wine making destination.”

Springer says the town of Walla Walla, Washington, which has a population of about 35,000, offers lessons Galesburg could learn. He suggests the Galesburg area, which also lost its major industry when plants like Maytag left, may be able to diversify it’s offerings to bolster the shaky economy.

The breakfast is set from 7:30 to 9 a.m. March 3 in the Knox College Lincoln Room.

Springer also says the Partnership will be working with the Western Illinois Small Businesses Development Center to offer entrepreneur workshops.

“We think it’s important that we’re providing information and education for potential entrepreneurs in the community,” he says.

The first workshop will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 29 in the Bondi Building.

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