Kane County economic development staff told the Jobs Committee they are wrapping up a feasibility study for a proposed Kane County Economic Development Corporation, are monitoring uncertain national tariff policy, and will provide a monthly economic dashboard to the committee.

John Guling, speaking for county economic development, said the start-up for the proposed corporation has been funded by ARPA and that a feasibility study testing private-sector funding capacity is nearly complete. "Long term, the intent always has been that the majority of the funding would come from private corporations," Guling said, and he said a private funding campaign could take nine months or longer.

Guling described two reports the office shared with members: a special report on tariff impacts and a monthly economic dashboard produced through the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership research partners. He cautioned that tariff policy out of Washington is volatile and that research estimates vary. He cited a Tax Foundation estimate that projected a multi-billion-dollar hit to the Chicago metro economy if tariffs persist and a Yale Budget Lab figure with different estimates. "No matter where this ends up, there will be an impact on Metro Chicago businesses," he said.

On local indicators, Guling highlighted the dashboard's key figures: the Chicago business barometer was 47.1 in July (below the 50 threshold of expansion), Pro-Chicagoland decisions stood at 102 projects year-to-date, and Kane County showed positive signs with 0.5% GDP growth, 1.6% employment growth and a 3.7% unemployment rate as of June 2025. He also noted 10,161 active job postings in Kane County.

Committee members asked for more granular housing and hiring data for Kane County; Guling said he would work with World Business Chicago to provide figures such as housing starts and more detailed hiring breakdowns. He also said the county will distribute the monthly dashboard to committee members with a short cover memo highlighting key takeaways.

Members discussed speed-to-market and permitting as non-monetary ways municipalities can encourage company relocations, and staff agreed to follow up with municipalities on approval timelines for development projects. No formal actions or incentives were approved at the meeting.