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Oswego EDC considers broker open house and student pitch program to attract investment
Summary
Commissioners discussed a broker outreach event and a student‑led business pitch program as 2025 initiatives, and proposed forming a work group to flesh out the student competition details.
Oswego’s Economic Development Commission discussed a pair of initiatives to promote investment and community engagement in 2025: a broker/developer open house to showcase available sites and a student business pitch program to engage high school and college students.
Staff said the open house would invite commercial brokers, developers and investors to Oswego to present available properties and discuss the village’s development potential. The proposal would likely be an informal meet‑and‑greet with a modest budget; staff estimated about $1,000 is available in the EDC events line, with the possibility of allocating more from marketing funds. Commissioners suggested adding a site tour component (FAM tour) so visitors can see properties in person.
Commissioners also discussed a student pitch competition that would task high‑school or community‑college teams to develop a business pitch or solve a community economic problem. Andy Clements, who identified himself as a business marketing and entrepreneurship faculty member at Waubonsee Community College, supported collaborating with school clubs rather than making the project a class assignment. Several commissioners suggested that student commissioners and faculty could assemble a pilot program: student teams would prepare multi‑week projects, present to judges (potentially college business club members), and compete for a modest prize or recognition.
The commission agreed to form a small work group to connect student representatives with local faculty and to return to the commission with a proposed program framework, judging criteria and timeline. Staff said they will reach out to Oswego High School instructors (including Elizabeth Augustine, who runs a marketing class) and local college contacts to test interest.
Why it matters: an outreach event aimed at brokers could generate leads for leasing or redevelopment and provide direct feedback to the village board about barriers to investment. The student pitch program would provide experiential learning for students and could produce ideas for local small‑business attraction and retention.
