Retiring business director hailed by local leaders for transforming DeKalb County economy – Shaw Local

DeKALB – Paul Borek said congratulations on 15 years this week as he prepares to retire as executive director of the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation. He leaves behind a legacy of significant business growth for the community.

Humbled by the accolades from local and state leaders that propelled him forward, Borek, 68, insisted that much of the agency’s success came from the people he worked with.

„I’m excited to have the opportunity to make a difference with the many, many, many partners involved in all of our efforts,” he said. „I’m excited to work with all of DCEDC to make a difference in DeKalb County.”

Borek officially handed over the reins of the public-private partnership to his successor, Mark Williams, this week. What’s next for the longtime business leader preparing to leave his office?

“I’ve been doing a few things in the office and making sure the transition with Mark Williams is smooth and seamless, and I’m also involved in travel plans with my wife Mary. [Myers]Borek said.

Borek, who took over the agency on February 1, 2008, has made several efforts to attract businesses to DeKalb County during his tenure. Community leaders said none were more successful than his efforts to create the DeKalb County Enterprise Zone. A common economic tool used by municipalities across the state to encourage business development, enterprise zoning creates financial incentives for businesses to relocate or grow their businesses in DeKalb County.

The zone provides tax incentives through state and local agreements, and coordinates with the Illinois Department of Revenue and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The cities of DeKalb, Genoa, Sandwich and Sycamore, Cortland and Waterman have all signed agreements with the zone.

Since the enterprise zone was created in 2016, businesses have invested more than $2.5 billion in facilities in the county. Notable growth has been noted in the past three years, among them: investment exceeding $1 billion in social media giant Facebook’s parent company Meta’s DeKalb data center, Interstate 88 corridor, Amazon’s warehouse, Ferrara candy company, Kraft Heinz facility, and more. .

DeKalb County Administrator Brian Gregory said of the creation Enterprise zone It all started with a meeting between him, Borek and Mark Pietrowski about a decade ago. The trio met at 3pm on Friday and did not conclude until 9pm

„From that point on, Paul took the corporate zone — you’ve heard the word shepherd before — and he shepherded that process,” Gregory said. „Paul was instrumental in making this happen. Whether it was investing hundreds of millions of dollars or hundreds of dollars, Paul treated every opportunity the same. He recognized and appreciated those companies making investments here locally, and he was always on the way to serve as a resource. Most importantly, Paul He treats people the same way.

Corporate Zoning of DeKalb County Certified Jan. 1, 2016.

About 8 million square feet of new commercial space has been created in the past seven years, officials said. It created 3,500 job opportunities. As a result of the Enterprise Zone, 19 new businesses were attracted to the county and 19 local businesses expanded their operations.

Pietrowski, now Cortland’s mayor, said Borek left a legacy of economic success in the community.

“The sky’s the limit for this community right now, that’s it [the Enterprise Zone] Really giving us a diversified tax base, which was a goal I had when I was County Board Chair, and I know Paul had,” Pietrowski said. „We want a lot of good job opportunities here for the residents of this county.”

DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes said he was sad to see Borek retire because he believes he was a driving force behind state officials allowing data centers in enterprise zones.

„I’ve seen him advocate time and time again for the city of DeKalb and for DeKalb County, and his leadership was instrumental in changing the enterprise zoning to allow data centers, which was one of the catalysts for us to be able to come out here,” Cohen said. „So Paul was always a great advocate for the community.”

Sep. Municipal and county officials praised Borek for spurring economic development at a DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation event on the 28th to celebrate Borek’s retirement.

Borek’s efforts have not gone unnoticed by state officials, including a special message from Governor JP Pritzker.

Pritzker wrote a letter to Borek, which was read by the agency’s board chairman, Mike Kokot.

„Your leadership and dedication have been instrumental in advancing our state’s economic growth and your retirement marks the end of a truly remarkable era,” Kokot read from Pritzker’s letter. “Your leadership over the past 15 years has been instrumental in the revitalization of DeKalb County. The remarkable economic growth achieved in the last three years alone, equivalent to three decades of progress, stands as a testament to your contributions.

Karen Hoyle, an executive with the Economic Development Corporation, has worked with Borek since 2010. In an emotional sendoff, Hoyle said he will miss Borek’s guidance.

„He was one of the best bosses I’ve ever had in my life,” Hoyle said. „He’s humble, he’s kind, he’s smart, he’s thoughtful, he’s caring. He lets you collaborate and he’s a wonderful person at the core.

Borek said he plans to become a snowbird by wintering in Florida and taking a river cruise in northern Europe before long.

While he enjoys the spoils of a career well spent, DeKalb County will continue to see the fruits of his labor.

„We’re in unprecedented economic growth that we haven’t seen since the invention of the barbed wire, and Paul was a cog in that wheel and an important cog in the wheel to make that happen,” Cohen said. „I’ll always remember him. We’ve made a difference in the city of DeKalb, whether it’s lowering property taxes or affordable housing, new jobs being able to create historic investments in our community, and I’ll always remember him because he was a part of that. „

This story was edited on October 6, 2023 at 3:35 pm to correct an earlier misspelling of Mark Williams’ name.