GROWTH DIMENSIONS’ ANNUAL RECEPTION

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Growth Dimensions Economic Development held their annual reception on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at the Community Building Complex of Boone County, with OSF HealthCare as the Presenting Sponsor. The event, which saw attendance in excess of 280 guests, celebrated the organization’s 46th year as the County’s economic development organization (EDO). Growth Dimensions welcomed elected officials, business leaders and community members, as they held a Midland States Bank-sponsored networking hour, prior to the dinner. 

Mike Goelitz, Vice President of Commercial Banking with FNBO and Growth Dimensions’ Board President, opened the evening by welcoming guests and recognizing event sponsors. Opperman than handed the podium over to Paul Arco, Media Relations Coordinator for OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, who spotlighted on OSF HealthCare's deep commitment to Boone County and northern Illinois through excellent patience care, community partnerships, and active local involvement.

Next, Pamela Lopez-Fettes, Growth Dimensions Executive Director, spoke on the organization’s 46-year history and Boone County’s successes and opportunities. During her presentation, she highlighted recent project successes such as Champion Packaging & Distribution, Haumiller Engineering, Piranha, Midwest Refrigerated Services, Walmart, Microsoft, and Stellantis,  along with numerous other businesses expanding into Belvidere and Boone County. Lopez-Fettes also credited our local governing bodies for securing these projects, as well as recognizing other local, regional and state partners in providing necessary resources for businesses to start, grow and thrive. 

Lopez-Fettes concluded her presentation revealing that Growth Dimensions Economic Development is a 2025 Official Silver Winner of the IEDC Excellence Awards, in the category of Economic Development Organization of the Year for a population of 25,000 – 200,000.

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The evening concluded with  Deb Yunk, Director of Operations from UW Health, introducing the keynote speaker, Janyce Fadden– Director of Strategic Engagement at the University of North Alabama's Sanders College of Business and Technology's Agile Strategy La. The keynote was sponsored by UWHealth.

Fadden delivered an engaging presentation on collaboration, and “strategic doing”.  She discussed  that building a prosperous, sustainable, and resilient future requires shared responsibility, open collaboration, and taking action together rather than just talking.

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Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors