From City Hall yesterday to the Greater Freeport Partnership today, Northwest Illinois CEO students are connecting the dots on what makes a community thrive!

Today, students met with CEO Board Chair and Greater Freeport Partnership Executive Director Andrea Schultz-Winter and Director of Marketing and Tourism Nicole Haas.

Building on yesterday’s conversation with Mayor Jodi Miller, students gained insight into how the Partnership works alongside local government to support businesses and economic growth. They explored public and private funding, risk versus reward, networking, and community involvement.

Students also learned the importance of hotel/motel tax revenue and tourism dollars to our local economy, how creating jobs is a way businesses give back, and why research, data, and identifying community needs are essential to smart business decisions.

As an added bonus, students even had the opportunity to help sign off Nicole’s weekly local radio segment highlighting upcoming events in the Freeport area!

A great reminder that successful businesses don’t just make money — they create value and strengthen communities!

Thank you, Andrea and Nicole, for sharing your knowledge and commitment to our future entrepreneurs!