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Awards, Great America employee bus touted among Gurnee's business successes

The launch of an awards program to strengthen connections with the business community and the creation of seasonal bus service for Six Flags Great America employees are among Gurnee's economic achievements this year, the head of the village's economic development department told village officials this week.

Economic Development Director Ellen Dean discussed the department's successes and strategies as part of an update related to the village's new five-year strategic plan.

Mayor Kristina Kovarik will be asked to incorporate the newly formed business awards program into her twice-yearly gatherings with the Gurnee Chamber of Commerce. The first awards could be given at her fall business luncheon.

"It's a way of recognizing all the good things that our businesses are doing for their customers, for the community," Dean said. "And there's no limit."

Dean said Gurnee residents and businesses will be solicited for nominations starting this month. There will an award category called "Bringing Me Home," for outstanding customer service, and "Pay It Forward," to highlight an operation that is charitably generous in Gurnee or throughout Lake County, she said.

Gurnee Trustee Thomas Hood presented the business awards idea in March to the advisory economic development committee. Officials agreed the proposal should create a deeper connection between businesses and village government.

On the topic of public transportation, Dean said regular meetings she's had with representatives from the Pace commuter bus line have led to the start of seasonal service with a stop at Great America's employee entrance.

Workers at other Gurnee businesses might have an opportunity for more convenient bus service, according to the strategic plan. The village, in cooperation with Pace and the Lake County Partners public-private economic development organization, will conduct an employee survey this summer to determine a need for a bus stop inside Tri-State Business Park on Gurnee's west side.

"We think this is a real need," Dean said. "We have to prove it."

Kovarik said she's satisfied with the steps that have been taken early on in the five-year strategic plan, which runs to 2021.

"The staff has really embraced it. ... They've really taken ownership," Kovarik said.

Gurnee looks to start annual business awards

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