LOCAL

Dynamic duo helping bring jobs to area

Linda Woods Retired Daily Ledger Editor
Promoting business and business owners is a top priority for Greg Garrett, left, director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Western Illinois University, and Havana Economic Development Director Ron Hills. The two have coordinated their efforts for the past five years to bring jobs and opportunities to Havana and area entrepreneurs.

As director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) at Western Illinois University since March 2011, Greg Garrett has not only helped improve the job market in central Illinois, but has sought out and worked with many area officials.

One of those officials is Havana Economic Development Director Ron Hills.

The dynamic duo have worked together to provide a significant contribution towards the 75 success stories achieved by the the ISBDC from 2011 through 2015 in Havana.

Coming from business backgrounds, both men found they had similar goals and have since coordinated their expertise to bring valuable jobs into the Havana area.

Garrett explains that Hills's knowledge of the history of the area and his financial understanding of business and the needs of aspiring entrepreneurs has helped the ISBDC assist new business owners in key areas.

Garrett says Hills respects and listens to those who come to him and focuses on their needs. After assessing those needs he works with the ISBDC to further support the clients.

"Ron's value is bringing opportunities to his community and the ISBDC through his knowledge of the area and the people. He knows the services we can provide and understands what the people need," says Garrett.

Hills says the no-cost services provided at the ISBDC streamlines the process of building a new business for the people who contact him and the city.

"Through my work with the ISBDC the past five years, Greg has become a friend and a great asset to the Havana business community. I see more business in Havana's future," says Hills.

There have been 23 clients assisted in the last five years, with 11 financial success stories in Havana. Financial success means those clients were assisted in finding loans. With several success stories each year, there have been approximately 57 new and retained jobs added to the tune of $3.1 million of investment in Havana, Garrett reports.

One of those success stories is the city's historic Stelter-Hofreiter farm implement business and its owner Frank Hofreiter. The business was landlocked and outgrew its downtown location.

Hills worked with Hofreiter, Havana Mayor Brenda Stadsholt and city officials to help relocate and expand the business at the city's business park and make use of the downtown location for city use.

Stadsholt and those city officials have also been instrumental in supporting Hills's work and bringing jobs to the city.

Another significant business was added in February of 2015 when Havana Outdoors, a professional archery business, opened downtown. Partners Don Craig and James Sampson have seen a successful year, according to Craig. "Ron was wonderful to work with and continues to be a valuable partner to us and many others," says Craig.

He says the business has been well-received by the community and offers a small indoor archery range. The Havana Park district has developed a large archery range at Veteran's Park which complements the business.

Another strong impact was made on the community by The HOPE Chest of Havana, a thrift store and food pantry. The business opened its doors at 114 N. Orange St. one year ago and is doing great, according to founder and CEO Dave Craig.

The mission continues to be helping people excel, says Craig, and the name HOPE reflects that.

"Ron's knowledge of the city and his service to us was fantastic," explains Dave Craig. "He educated us on what was available in the way of assistance and helped us work with the Chamber of Commerce and the ISBDC. He did a great job of helping us connect with the community and was involved in putting resources at our disposal. He came back to check on us. He is very involved in what is going on in Havana."

Dave Craig also operates similar businesses in Pekin and Creve Coeur and says he continues to expand services to all of his communities each year.

The Townhouse Restaurant, founded in 1949 in the city, is under new ownership as of last July. New owner Jim Moehring credits Hills with helping "someone whose only experience at a restaurant was ordering from the menu" become a successful restaurant owner.

Moehring grew up in Havana and knew Hills as a trusted friend and a person who could offer solid business advice, as well as keep his inquiry confidential until a decision was made.

"Ron was the first person I contacted when I moved back to Havana. I knew I could trust him and rely on his business advice. He and Greg were instrumental in the process of financing and becoming incorporated,"he said.

Moehring says he looks forward to many more improvements at the restaurant this spring.

According to Garrett, one of the most rewarding aspects of the job has been helping people achieve their goals. Those goals may be related to marketing, advertising, accounting or obtaining financing for their business.

"Each year we have the opportunity to meet some wonderful people and assist them with starting a new business or expanding an existing one. Those people have talent and creative skills. Our goal is to help them fulfill their dream and assist them with a solid level of success and that is very fulfilling for myself and our staff," he said, adding that ISBDC's services are provided free through the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at WIU.

Both Hills and Garrett are small business owners and see that as an important part of their drive to help others with that dream.

Since Garrett arrived at the ISBDC at WIU, the group has helped local entrepreneurs create 394 jobs and retain 231 more in rural western Illinois.

Garrett was raised in Fulton County and attended Cuba High School. He has earned three degrees, the first in finance, followed by a second in accounting and then a master's degree in business from Houston Baptist University in 1986. He earned a Certified Public Accounting license in Texas and spent 23 years building a career in the energy industry, focusing on regulatory accounting and financial systems consulting in Houston and Dallas. He has served as director of the ISBDC for over four years.

Hills was raised in Havana, attending Havana schools. He graduated from Monmouth College with a degree in business. He then worked for his family in the Pepsi Cola business and also established several businesses of his own. He has served as economic development director for the city of Havana for five years.