The Kenosha Area Business Alliance (KABA) recently hired Brian Rademacher to fill its newly created position of economic development director.
Most recently, before beginning work with KABA on May 26, Rademacher worked for four years as economic development coordinator for the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.
In that capacity, he worked with the planning commission for a seven-county region (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will) in Northeastern Illinois. He also worked closely with economic development corporations, local governments and business leaders to provide insight into the economy and to identify needs ranging from industry analysis to workforce development.
His CMAP duties included an analysis of emerging and leading business trends in the region, as well as helping create the economic development component of a comprehensive regional plan known as “Go To 2040.”
At KABA, Rademacher fills a newly created position. His arrival flows from a recommendation, contained in the organization’s 2009 strategic plan, Kenosha First, to devote additional staff resources to economic development.
“Brian’s addition greatly expands our economic development capacity and will allow us to expand and accelerate our business development initiatives,” said KABA president Todd Battle.
Rademacher will help implement elements of Kenosha First, including business retention and economic development support for new and existing businesses.
“Kenosha County is very community and family-oriented and has a lot of economic development potential,” Rademacher says. “I’m looking forward to contributing my skills and ideas to enhance and expand the economy of Kenosha County.”
