classrooms . Students will learn about different , and more specifically local , careers available to them .
Van Hyfte said the first focus is on manufacturers , and they have six on board so far . The development team is making videos about the businesses , including telling employee stories , such as talking to a plant manager who started out as an operator and the progression of job promotion .
“ What kids don ’ t understand and parents don ’ t understand , there are not only jobs that graduating seniors can step into that are well-paid positions , but also most of the places that we ’ re talking to will pay for you to go to college ,” she said . “ That ’ s just huge and they don ’ t know .”
“ We have so many amazing programs in Vermilion County . We have amazing non-profits , we have amazing businesses , but our communication needs to improve . We just don ’ t know ,” she said .
She said they need to create this ecosystem to spread the word . Students can stay here for great jobs .
“ I really believe in this project . We are set to launch for manufacturing month in October ,” Van Hyfte said .
As year one starts with manufacturing , future years will deal with other professions .
It ’ s starting out with junior high and high school students in Danville and Vermilion County . They will have four modules to complete in October .
A tour of industries also is being set up through a partnership with VVEDS ( Vermilion Vocational Education Delivery System ) and Danville Area Community College . The companies the students learn about can then be seen in person .
Next year , Vermilion Advantage hopes to have one module to complete a month through the whole school year . The program also wants to reach students starting in kindergarten .
“ I really feel like it ’ s just going to grow ,” Van Hyfte said , adding that the more community members who get involved , the better . “ It ’ s a community thing , it ’ s a community problem ; and we need to do it together .”
They have some commitments already . She said Danville School District 118 Superintendent Alicia Geddis is on board
In Vermilion County , other projects continue , such as solar projects and Tilton Energy plant changed hands with Earthrise Energy . There are other projects in Hoopeston , and additional cannabis dispensaries are expected .
Quality of Life
Quality of Life also is important , Dudley said .
Williams said Danville has made huge improvements in parks , and will see that continue with the planned Garfield Park and pool improvements .
He said Danville Stadium has seen siding improvements and will see LED lights when the season ends . Supply chain issues caused problems in getting the lights prior to this year ’ s baseball season .
Ellsworth Park also has new playground and basketball equipment , and the ninehole disc golf course is looking to expand to another nine holes so tournaments could be hosted in Danville . Additional trails for hiking and biking continue to expand in the area . Road and sewer projects continue , in addition to blight removal , Williams said .
Harrison Park Golf Course has seen some improvements with its pro shop , and Winter Park ’ s handicapped-accessible playground has been upgraded .
City officials also will have to decide on riverfront plan ideas to move forward with .
“ We have to get a little bit better about that ,” Dudley said , about companies looking at quality of life issues when they come in . “ We don ’ t toot our horn loud enough .”
“ I was amazed when I came here , I didn ’ t know there was a lake here off Vermilion Street . You can ’ t see it . That ’ s a beautiful lake . You got the boat club . You got the country club . You ’ ve got all these things and nobody knows about it ,” Dudley said .
Kickapoo State Park and Kennekuk County Park are fantastic . The rail trail is gorgeous , he added . “ They ’ re really great resources ,” he said . At the Re / Max Ultimate real estate office on North Vermilion Street in Danville , they started clearing trees and the public can see more of Lake Vermilion .
“ They ’ ve opened that up and you can really see the lake ,” Dudley said . “ It looks great . It ’ s flat down at the bottom , so they ’ re going to be able to have a place where you can go down there and cool down . I ’ d like to encourage more people to do that .”
Dudley said quality of life improvements are huge .
“ With the casino , I can see like a water park come in there ,” he said , adding that local officials continue to work on economic development and area promotion videos .
“ We still need to do a better job ,” Dudley said about promoting and informing visitors about this area . It helps bring in more money from outside Danville and the county to help pay for infrastructure and other services , he added .
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