Like so many of the rest of us on the Community Economic Partners team, Erik has had a multi-dimensional career working in many of the critical areas of economic development. His experience has included an economic growth corporation, Chamber of Commerce, business financial services, Main Street, and local initiatives support. Throughout his career he has partnered with communities and organizations to design and implement practical, results-driven strategies that spark economic activity and enhance quality of life. His work integrates strategic planning, market analysis, community engagement, and destination marketing to create clear paths toward revitalization and long-term sustainability.
As the Director of Illinois Main Street, Erik helped coordinate statewide efforts to support Main Street communities through networking, educational, and programmatic activities. Working with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) in Peoria, he advanced neighborhood redevelopment and small business initiatives across central Illinois. He has helped attract millions of dollars in public and private investment, launched entrepreneurship programs, and developed commerce-driven event strategies that drive measurable results.
Working with the City of Delavan Downtown Business Development group, Erik led the process of organizing the Delavan business community while seeking to understand the current and future needs of small business owners so that the City of Delavan can provide sufficient assistance or incentives to stimulate economic development. The findings of this engagement were presented to City Council and adopted in July 2023. 6 new business development programs were approved and adopted with funding.
Working with the City of Pekin Downtown Reinvestment, he developed The Pekin Downtown Report: Strategies for a Revitalized Business District that was delivered to the city council in order to offer actionable items which could leverage existing assets and create visible impact in less than 4 years.
A downtown revitalization engagement focused on stabilizing the historic building stock in downtown Aledo, supporting and growing small businesses, and community development activities. Total project volume is in excess of $25M spread across more than 30 projects. In Monmouth, a similar project focused on stabilizing historic building structures, supporting small business development, and community engagement of local stakeholders.
In fall 2016, Erik partnered with 353 Court to complete an initial Site Visit and Real Estate Report for the City of Havana. The strategy was presented and adopted by the end of the year. Beginning in January 2017, our services were retained to implement the strategy within the report which includes building stabilization, small business assistance, and creative placemaking. The results over three years have included over $2,500,000 investment into downtown real estate, 14 new businesses opening, and a two block streetscape restructuring.
These are all examples of the strategic planning coupled with practical implementation solutions that Erik will bring to the projects of Community Economic Partners to enable communities to thrive.
Education
- Bachelor of Business, Western Illinois University
- International Business and Marketing, Noordelijke Hogeschool Leeuwarden
Memberships, Certifications, Recognition
- Muscatine Community Improvement Action Team
- City of Rock Island Arts Advisory Committee
- City of Pekin Planning Commission
- City of Pekin Zoning Board of Approvals
- Co-Founder/President Bike Peoria
- Board Member: Start Up Peoria
- Board Member: Central Illinois Landmarks Foundation
- Board Member: Pekin Main Street
- Impact HUB Peoria Leadership Team
- Pekin Chamber of Commerce