Dine & Develop: Data for Decision Makers

Understanding your market and who your potential customers are can aid in building a successful business.  Knowledge about the local economy and demographics about an area’s residents can help entrepreneurs and business owners effectively plan.  This talk will feature an overview on how to access free data from key demographic and economic data resources. Further, the talk will highlight other relevant business data sets including information on retail leakage and retail market potential.

As an Extension Specialist, Zach Kennedy provides program leadership and support in community leadership development, participatory community planning, organizational development, and community economic development. He has been an Extension employee since 2009. His previous role within Illinois Extension was as an Extension Educator, Community and Economic Development in Champaign, Ford, Iroquois, and Vermilion counties. He has particular interests in helping local governments and non-profit organizations build their capacity to engage in data driven decision making and planning. Kennedy is a native of Champaign-Urbana and holds two degrees from the University of Illinois including a Bachelor's degree in Economics, and a Master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning with a concentration in Economic Development.