JREDC celebrates award recepients at annual investor reception

Jacksonville, IL – Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation (JREDC) honored the recipients of JREDC’s two annual awards during the organization’s investor appreciation event held at Proud Richard’s Restaurant in Jacksonville on Thursday evening. 

Since 1990, JREDC’s Existing Industry Committee has presented the Industry of the Year Award to a company exhibiting outstanding business development and activity that enhances regional economic viability. In recognition of its inspiring evolution and continued growth, the 2023 Harold Cox Industry of the Year is Turner Scientific.

The Jacksonville-based company is a leading innovator in hearing research and ethical animal treatment serving biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations and academia. Turner Scientific Environmental Monitoring Services tracks variables and animal environments to maintain the best possible conditions to improve animal welfare and produce more reliable and reproducible research results. A second division, Turner Scientific Preclinical Research, partners with biotech, pharma and academic sponsors to test the safety and efficacy of new drugs and devices to treat hearing and balance disorders.

Since its founding in 2017, Turner Scientific has grown steadily and, over the last three years, has doubled in size. The company has developed a revolutionary new scientific device that is significantly impacting the biomedical research field and is the only United States-based firm specializing in contracted hearing research.

Turner Scientific began as a “mom-and-pop” shop that has ballooned to over 30 employees. Founders Jeremy Turner, Annette Turner and Brian Chumley are proud of the family-like atmosphere their business maintains with a superb team of experts from around the world, combined with a dedicated staff from the region. 

Active in the community, Turner Scientific supports Illinois College’s Brain Day and the Prairieland United Way. Several staff members also partnered with the Jacksonville Pilot Club to distribute complimentary bicycle helmets at the Morgan County Health Department as part of a recent children’s health fair.

While the COVID pandemic tested the young company, Turner Scientific improved remote connectivity and services for its customers. Its increased connectivity helped attract full-time, expert-level employees from throughout the nation. The company continues to grow their footprint as it is making plans to move to a new and larger location in Jacksonville.

Also, during the event JREDC presented a Jacksonville couple with the Champion Award. The award was created to recognize exemplary support for economic development in Morgan and Scott counties from an entity that does not have economic development as its primary purpose. In honor of the late Robert “Bob” Chipman, whose unwavering commitment and exceptional dedication set the gold standard for community support, the JREDC proudly presented the Champion Award in Bob’s name for the first time to Rabbi Rob and Lauren Thomas.

To ensure a diverse and resilient economy, the Thomases are intent to encourage entrepreneurs to choose Jacksonville to develop businesses. The couple stress the importance of building foundations so young business owners can forge a life and career while remaining in the Jacksonville region.

Rabbi Rob, a Jacksonville native, and Lauren, originally from Chicago, purchased a home to spend more time in the area after a family health scare. After witnessing Lauren’s love of Jacksonville, Rabbi Rob was eager to begin work to move his hometown forward. During initial conversations with business leaders, the couple learned it was difficult to attract young professionals to the area, with a lack of housing being a major stumbling block. At the same time, they noticed the upper floors of many downtown buildings were unoccupied. They recognized that if the buildings were renovated into apartments for young professionals, the new living spaces would energize the economy. 

Now, more than a year later, these projects are underway due to the Thomas’ business acumen. Restaurant, retail and entertainment spaces are being developed on the bottom floors of newly acquired buildings, while creating quality apartments on the upper floors. The couple also recognized that young professionals may one day want to move into their own homes. To address another need in the community, Rabbi Rob and Lauren are working on two projects to renovate existing structures or begin new construction for family homes in Jacksonville.

In addition, the Thomases anticipate young professionals will acknowledge gaps in the current market and have ideas regarding how to address those needs. Rabbi Rob and Lauren have initiated a venture capital fund to foster startups in Jacksonville. They will help guide these new business owners through the process of starting and scaling a business, thereby contributing to the continued growth and diversity of Jacksonville’s regional economy.

Also during the event, Kristin Jamison, president of JREDC, outlined the organization’s launch and successful completion of a recent talent attraction campaign. The goal of the program was to bring top-tier talent to the Jacksonville region. Built on a multi-faceted approach, the JREDC produced videos to showcase living and working in the Jacksonville region. The visual stories, paired with digital advertising across Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, captured the attention of skilled professionals nationwide. The “MakeMyMove” relocation and incentive strategy played a pivotal role in enticing talent to consider the Jacksonville region as their new home. 

Through this campaign, the JREDC offered comprehensive incentive packages valued at $9,300 to five individuals, all of whom accepted. These packages included $5,000 in cash to relocate to Morgan or Scott counties, $300 in local Chamber Checks and a $4,000 quality of life package to offer the new residents a personalized welcome to the region including gym memberships, golf passes and entertainment options. 

JREDC Chairman Kai Schnitker thanked the organization’s staff, Bonni Waters and Jamison, for their dedication and passion for the Jacksonville region. He also acknowledged the many JREDC investors in attendance, thanking them for their commitment and financial support. 

The mission of JREDC is to create, expand, recruit and retain job opportunities for Morgan and Scott counties. The investor-based group traces its beginnings to 1964 when the Jacksonville Area Industrial Corporation was formed with the objective of creating jobs by acquiring new industries and assisting the growth of existing industries.