Here’s how the Lake County Development Council is connecting key people in the community to ensure a healthy economic future

By Patricia Nugent

For more than 60 years, the Lake County Development Council has positively impacted the local economy by orchestrating luncheons, speaker programs and annual events, such as its Legislative Breakfast in the spring and Economic Forum in the fall.

“Our mission is to connect business leaders to each other and our elected officials,” says LCDC Executive Director Sarah Bals. “Our non-profit organization represents all of Lake County, focusing on economic opportunities for growth and development and raising awareness about accomplishments in the local landscape.” The Lake County Development Council has a board of trustees, that is just shy of 20 individuals, comprised of business leaders in Lake County. Sarah’s board comes from a wide range of industries. From government, real estate, finance, entrepreneurs and more, she is so grateful to have such a distinct group of people driving this organization.

“Our diverse group includes more than 100 members from large corporations to local real estate firms, financial agencies, local mayors and city planners, restaurants, retailers, lawyers and sole proprietors,” she says.

With a newly redesigned website and social media in place, Sarah and her team are working to modernize their operations.

“When the pandemic hit, we were forced to pivot and take our gatherings virtual, which actually worked out well,” she says. “For 2023, we are planning four to five luncheons that cover meaty topics of interest to local enterprises. We’re trying to get some panels planned to provide more depth.”

Last month, the speaker luncheon included Dr. Robyn Strosaker, President and COO of University Hospitals Lake Health Medical Centers, and Mark Flash, Executive Director of the Lake Health Foundation, who spoke to the membership about the state of the healthcare industry in Lake County.

Benefits of Membership
Members and sponsors are listed on the group’s website and recognized at events. The membership levels include:
• Individual – for individuals, retirees, city officials and government representatives, costs $100 per year.
• Small Business – non-profits and businesses with less than 100 employees, costs $200 per year.
• Corporate – companies with more than 100 employees, costs $400 per year.

“We also are fortunate to have a nice group of Gold Level and Platinum Level sponsors, including Mimi Magazine,” she adds. “Members become invested in the county, collaborate with other businesses and leaders, and especially new businesses enjoy heightened visibility and chances to grow their brand. We promote the interchange of ideas on county issues and development, and supply leadership where it is needed. And we also initiate a process to address problems.”

Attracting New Business
“I’m always fielding calls from prospective businesses all over the country that are considering relocating or adding a new location here in our county,” she says. “I serve to inform them about what makes us special and as a valuable resource to connect them to our members when needed.”

The economy in the region is quite strong, and manufacturing is consistently growing, she says, noting that new small businesses and the players in the healthcare industry are bringing new jobs to Lake County.

“I have reason to be optimistic about the future,” says Sarah. “Our members say the LCDC events are instrumental to their growth, that they provide a chance to mingle and shake the hands of fellow business owners who turn into customers, which is exactly what we want to be.”

For more information about the Lake County Development Council, contact Executive Director Sarah Bals at 440-478-4806 or sarah@440-marketing.com. Visit LakeCountyDevelopmentCouncil.org for more information or to join.