|
GOV. BLAGOJEVICH
HOLDS FOOD SECURITY FORUM TO CREATE JOBS
IN THE ILLINOIS HOMELAND SECURITY
INDUSTRY
Governor also Signs
Legislation forming the Food Systems
Policy Council to Advise Measures to
Further Secure the Illinois Food Supply
BURR RIDGE - Gov. Rod R.
Blagojevich's Opportunity Returns
program held the "Market Opportunities
in Food Security" forum today, the first
in a series of homeland security
business development forums to identify
market opportunities to grow and support
businesses in the homeland security
industry. Experts in food security and
homeland defense highlighted current and
emerging needs for products, as well as
strategies to protect our food supply.
Gov. Blagojevich made a commitment to
building the Illinois homeland security
industry in his State of the State
address in February. Illinois is already
a national leader in homeland security,
and it is only natural to develop,
promote and expand this industry and
create more jobs across the state.
"I'm committed to leveraging Illinois'
history of industrial and technological
innovation to meet today's
security-conscious market demands in our
ongoing efforts to protect the people in
our state, nation and world. By teaming
our resources, we can meet urgent
homeland defense needs and grow Illinois
businesses by providing cutting-edge
products and services to the global
marketplace," Gov. Blagojevich said.
The "Market Opportunities in Food
Security" forum was held in partnership
with the Illinois Center for Food Safety
and Technology to discuss factors
currently inhibiting homeland defense
and to explore solutions that are being
developed by inventors, entrepreneurs
and large companies. More than 175
attendees, including food producers,
businesses in the food supply chain,
distributors and companies that protect
our nation's food supply, were on hand,
and each sector learned new ways to
compete in today's security-conscious
world.
Attendees learned from national and
state experts and leaders, including Dr.
Frank Busta, Director of the National
Center for Food Protection and Defense;
Col. Randall Larsen, Director for The
Institute for Homeland Security; Bradley
Tusk, Deputy Governor for the State of
Illinois; Dr. Martin Cole, Director of
the National Center for Food Safety and
Technology; Matthew Botos, Director of
the Illinois Center for Food Safety and
Technology; and Matthew Summy, Deputy
Director of Illinois Homeland Security
Market Development Bureau.
In addition to food security, the
homeland security forums across Illinois
will provide an important venue to
nurture various industries, including
information technology, advanced
manufacturing and communication, and
bio-tech and public health. Recently,
DCEO opened the Bureau of Homeland
Security Market Development to attract
and support businesses engaged in the
homeland security industry. The bureau
offers incentive, finance and grant
programs to attract businesses to
Illinois and help existing Illinois
companies expand operations.
Also today, Gov. Blagojevich signed
House Bill 211, which authorizes DCEO to
form the Illinois Food Systems Policy
Council. The Council will provide a
critical advisory panel to develop
policies on food access and security,
improve health and well-being, and to
promote economic incentives for Illinois
farmers and agri-businesses.
"Even as public and private experts
continue to evaluate the safety of our
food supply, the Food Systems Policy
Council will provide important guidance
to determine steps we can take to secure
both the crops our farmers grow and the
food that Illinois companies
manufacture," Gov. Blagojevich said.
The Council will be led by DCEO's Bureau
of Homeland Security Market Development
and will consult with the business
community and the agricultural industry,
as well as community organizations that
are involved in the food and
agricultural industries. HB 211 was
sponsored by State Representative
William Delgado (D-Chicago) and State
Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago).
"When we discuss food policy to help
keep Illinoisans safe, its important to
have a cross section of experts that we
can turn to for answers. This policy
group will also provide proactive
initiatives to keep our food supply
safe," said State Representative
Delgado.
"The State of Illinois provides food to
people around the world, and the Food
Systems Policy Council will provide an
additional assurance to buyers that
we're taking every measure necessary to
keep our food supply free from
contaminants," State Senator Hunter
said.
Gov. Blagojevich's Opportunity Returns
regional economic development strategy
is the most aggressive, comprehensive
approach to creating jobs in Illinois'
history. Since a one-size-fits-all
approach to economic development just
doesn't work, the Governor has divided
the state into 10 regions - each with a
regional team that is empowered and
expected to rapidly respond to
opportunities and challenges.
Opportunity Returns is about tangible,
specific actions to make each region
more accessible, more marketable, more
entrepreneurial and more attractive to
businesses. It is about upgrading the
skills of the local workforce,
increasing the access to capital,
opening new markets, improving
infrastructure, and creating and
retaining jobs. Opportunity Returns is
about successfully partnering with
companies and communities, both large
and small, to help all of Illinois reach
its economic potential. |
