Lake County, Illinois, stands out as a beacon of economic development success in the Midwest. Through strategic partnerships, innovative branding, and relentless focus on community engagement, the region continues to attract significant investment, create jobs, and foster a climate where businesses and residents thrive. At the heart of this momentum are visionary leaders and consultants who bring expertise, fresh thinking, and actionable strategies to the table.
It comes as no surprise that this potent mix has resulted in Lake County, Illinois recently being named among the top 10 counties in the U.S. for economic development, according to Site Selection. The county’s prominent position as a national leader in economic development highlights the role of Lake County Partners, which has been recognized as a top partner by industry groups such as IMA and IMEC. These honors also reflect long-term planning, an adaptable mindset, and effective execution in attracting and retaining world-class employers.
“Behind the scenes in Lake County, there is a passionate and committed group of public sector leaders who leverage a menu of best practices for a variety of topics –including branding, financing, commercial development and more—that can be tailored to community resources and leveraged to fuel equitable growth and high quality of life in Lake County,” notes Steve Madden, the CEO of Libertyville Bank & Trust, North Region Market Head for Wintrust Financial Corporation.
Libertyville Bank & Trust’s long history of supporting community growth and opportunity has made the company a natural sponsor of Lake County Partners’ quarterly public sector workshop series, where, as Madden notes, “The optimism in the room is always palpable, and affirms that stakeholder-driven collaboration remains central to Lake County’s prosperity.”
The Importance of Crafting an Identity
Lake County Partners’ most recent public sector workshop featured its predictable high energy as the group delved into branding, digital marketing, and events, to discuss strategies to champion the many success stories taking place in communities across Lake County.
“Branding is a powerful tool that communities can use to craft an identity and articulate their value propositions,” notes one of the speakers, John Harris, president at a5 Branding & Digital. Harris wisely reminded the crowd that their “brand is not what they say it is, it’s what the public says it is. If you don’t control your narrative, others will, including AI. ”
Harris grounded his presentation in real-world examples of communities that are capturing what truly sets them apart, including Fox Lake—a Lake County village that worked with a5 to draw out a variety of authentic community voices to develop a marketing campaign rooted in local pride and ambition.
While Harris focused on “the heart” of the story, he let the next speaker speak to “the head,” and Alexander Boston, SEO and Content Lead at Northwoods Web Solutions did just that. Boston brought essential knowledge in the ever-evolving field of digital marketing and search optimization, opining on the many ways that his clients increase their digital presence and drive return on investment through strategies focused on digital advertising, software development, paid campaigns, SEO and AI.
Boston’s advice for communities seeking visibility? “Select the right digital platforms based on audience, goals, and budget, and prioritize quality content and technical excellence.” Boston also discussed the need for agile management of campaigns and budgets, noting that if done correctly, they can yield a clear understanding of their ability to connect with a consumer and trigger a lead.
From the Screen to In-Person
The look, feel and experience that a consumer has online also needs to translate into a seamless event experience as well. Personal interactions, like those afforded through targeted events, are a great way for communities to “friendraise” and touch base with partners—something that Lake County Partners has honed over the years through its popular annual “Big Event” breakfast. “Events are catalysts for business attraction and community pride,” noted the final speaker, Joan Cinquegrani, Owner and Lead Event Consultant at Five Grain Events. “They should absolutely be considered one of the tools in the communications toolbox.”
Cinquegrani’s team has supported Lake County Partners events for ten years, offering project management and on-the-ground staffing that executes memorable live events that prioritize the guest experience. Her work equips local governments and business groups to host everything from site selection tours to national conventions—boosting both Lake County’s reputation and economic impact.
Boosting Impact with Community-Driven Campaigns
A defining theme across all Lake County initiatives is community engagement. Whether developing a new brand identity, planning a major event, or running a digital campaign, leaders ensure that resident voices, stakeholder input, and local values drive strategies and outcomes. The secret recipe for success, as shared by the guest speakers, is this:
- Define clear goals based on unique community strengths.
- Engage diverse audiences including business owners, students, government officials and cultural organizations.
- Tell consistent and compelling stories that reflect both tradition and transformation.
- Measure strategies through real-time data analysis and feedback.
- Celebrate wins and learning together to reinforce a cycle of growth and improvement.
Looking Forward: Lake County, Illinois Leads
Lake County’s continued recognition—by organizations like Site Selection Magazine and numerous industry associations—validates a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and results-driven leadership. Thanks to the combined expertise of committed professionals and a stellar all-star team of consultants to support their efforts, Lake County communities are not just keeping up—they are setting the pace for economic development nationwide.
For communities elsewhere seeking inspiration, the Lake County story is clear: invest in people, engage purposefully, and never underestimate the power of a great narrative paired with expert execution. The future is bright in Lake County, and its momentum shows no sign of slowing.