Clark State boosts presence in Champaign County

Clark State Community College and the Champaign Economic Partnership have formed a partnership to allow a staff member from the college to work more closely with businesses and students in the county.

A staff member from Clark State’s Workforce and Business Solutions department will be available at the CEP office in downtown Urbana, said Toni Overholser, director of workforce and business solutions for Clark State. That will allow Champaign County students and businesses more access to a representative who can provide services from hiring assessments to organizing training programs for local businesses.

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The CEP is Champaign County’s economic development agency. The agreement will provide a home base with regular hours for the college at the CEP office at 3 Monument Square in downtown Urbana.

“We’ve always been a resource for businesses for whatever they may need,” Overholser said. “But we really wanted to have something available to them where they could stop in, sit around the table and be a part of the conversation.”

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Clark State staff members could also provide information to students interested in Clark State programs or connect potential job candidates and businesses searching for workers, for example.

“This partnership will allow both businesses and prospective students the ability to meet with Clark State representatives at the CEP office,” said Marcia Bailey, economic development director for the CEP. “We look forward to the continued effort of economic development and workforce development.”

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Beginning Thursday, Feb. 8, a representative will be available from 9 a.m. to noon the first and fourth Thursday of each month. No appointment is needed.

“They have so many initiatives in Champaign County and they’re so effective,” Overholser said. “We felt it was the time to have a presence there and be there on a more consistent basis. We’ll see where this goes. If we find we need to expand the options further there more days each month we’re happy to do that.”

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