User:Ernest Mahaffey/sandbox

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User: Ernest Mahaffey/sandbox

CBEID (the Center for Business Education Innovation and Development NFP) 1 [When I learn how to book sources, I’ll post the IRS 1023 and approval (attached)] evolved from a discussion group in Geneva IL called Geneva Learners. Geneva Learners’ intention was to become a locus of discussion on world affairs where members could help educate and keep one another up to date. Eventually several members had complained that some of us too often framed the discussions with economics and business examples and language.

A separate discussion group was formed to focus on world economics and business, which, after several meetings began to consider whether there was a need to make the experience and skills of the group accessible to businesses in the area. More specifically we had realized that the Fox River Valley had a history of birthing some large businesses but now had fewer headquarter companies and quite possibly was not forming others sufficient to replace those lost.

Elgin National Watch Company, Campana Company (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Campana_Company), Challenge Company (Windmills), Appleton Manufacturing, Furnas Electric, … [I’m sure there company names with histories somewhere we can link. Wikipedia has an article on Steel Kitchens (https://retrorenovation.com/metal-kitchen-cabinets-history-design-faq/), where both Geneva and St. Charles kitchens are listed. There is some confusion, though, whether these are from NY?. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Charles,_Illinois; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batavia,_Illinois; [Other useful links might be: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_Valley_(Illinois); https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_River_(Illinois_River_tributary); http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/481.html; http://www.elginhistory.com/dgb/ch03.htm; http://www.bataviahistoricalsociety.org/exhibits-collections/companies-overview/challenge-company/; ]

Several of the members of the World Economic and Business group began to discuss with others how the resources of this group might be offered within the community. We met with city and regional economic development organizations, chamber of commerce members, etc.

It was concluded that there wasn’t a group of well-connected, experienced business leaders focused specifically on helping local small companies and start-ups. CBEID was organized in November of 2008 with Ernest Mahaffey, Bob Mann and John Ford as initial Directors. 2 (copy of the brochure).

Others were recruited who were willing to volunteer to work one-on-one with companies. These were called The Founders 3 (list) and the list grew.

In addition CBEID sponsored community meetings, the first of which was with Dick Longworth. Longworth had written a book that was influential on the group’s thinking: Caught in the Middle – America’s Heartland in the Age of Globalism. 4 (CBEID-ed-programs – the attached can be rebuilt and edited substantially).