1. Business Retention and Expansion BR & E systems. 2. Successful community planning services.

Kenneth G. Larimore is a Community and Economic Development Extension Educator for Jasper County in the East Central Region of Illinois. Originally from Urbana he has a B.S. degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in Agricultural Economics and a M.B.A. degree from Eastern Illinois University. The highly successful local program he has developed provides education focused on sustainable economic growth, job creation, community leadership, entrepreneurship and workforce development. Another focus is on a variety of international outreach programs including trade, cultural awareness and diversity. Ken presently serves on the Statewide International Extension Committee. His MBA thesis was field research on the "Privatization of Hungary" as they moved to a market based economy. His extensive world travel includes many areas of Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, Eastern Europe and Mexico. Ken is the Executive Director of the City of Newton/Jasper County Economic Development Cooperative, active on the Extension Community and Economic Development TEAM, Board Member of the South Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development Commission, Board Member of the International Extension Committee, Member of the Illinois State Treasurer's Southern Illinois Affairs Council, serves on the Public Forum Management Group for the Crossroads Workforce Investment Board, Member of IL-ACDEP, and Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary International. Ken was honored with the 2010 Outstanding Leadership in Economic Development Award by the East Central Illinois Development Corporation. ECIDC covers an 11 county region. Ken was also recently elected as the 2010 Vice President of the Southeastern Illinois Alliance. SAIL represents a 9 county region with the goal of member education. The South Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development Commission awarded Ken the 2010 Essential Piece Award for the 5 county region.

Economic Development Alliance