Kankakee, IL – The Kankakee Development Corporation (KDC) announced their new officers and board members at the 56th Annual KDC Meeting. The Kankakee Development Corporation (KDC) consists of a group of local downtown property owners, planners, and business owners who aim to make downtown Kankakee a main attraction. Many of downtown’s events such as Merchant Street Music Fest are put on by the Events Partnership which consists of the City of Kankakee, KDC and the Kankakee Public Library. The board also implements improvements in the City, attracts new businesses and helps beautify downtown.
A luncheon was held today in conjunction with the annual meeting as KDC members highlighted their projects, events and objectives to close out 2019, as well as, discussed plans for the upcoming year. Mayor Wells-Armstrong presented an update on upcoming projects and initiatives.
“As a part of my Kankakee Forward agenda, it is a priority to create a business-friendly environment. I applaud the work of the Kankakee Development Corporation and the efforts to work collaboratively with the City. We need to tell our story to highlight all of the wonderful activity and growth happening in our City; particularly as developers and investors are pursuing projects in the City of Kankakee,” said Mayor Wells-Armstrong.
Alderman Chris Curtis has stepped down in his role as President of KDC having served as president for the past four years. He will remain on the KDC board and states he is proud of the work they have done while looking forward to downtown Kankakee becoming an around-the-clock attraction.
“Making downtown thought of not as not just a five day a week business hours district, but rather a seven day a week destination spot with the expansion of local businesses, sidewalk dining and lighting will always be our goal. We want people to be able to enjoy downtown every day of the week and I would love to see that continue as the City of Kankakee partners with KDC. I also want to congratulate Brad Kuntz as our new president and we will be there to support him in his efforts,” said former KDC president and alderman Chris Curtis.
Brad Kuntz from Converging Networks Group, Inc. has served on KDC for the past decade and as the KDC marketing chair for the past four years.
“I am excited. I share a lot of the same views for KDC and moving forward I would like to see the continuing of the seven day a week attraction to downtown Kankakee and the beautification of the City. I would also like to see the KDC incentive programs utilized to their fullest extent because that would bring new businesses to downtown Kankakee, as well as, business owners reinvesting into their properties,” said KDC President Brad Kuntz.
A planning meeting will be held in January of 2020 to discuss the goals, budget and objectives for KDC over the next five years.
The following KDC officers and board members have been approved for the next term:
KDC Officers terms ending in 2021:
President – Brad Kuntz
Vice President – Scott Smith
Treasurer – Matt Olszewski
Secretary – Scott Franco
Events Partnership – Allison Beasley
Marketing – Dave Baron
Landscaping – Terrance Hooper
KDC Board terms ending in 2020:
Jeff Bennett
Chris Curtis
Scott Franco
Terrance Hooper
Elizabeth Kubal
Connie Mason
Jeff Smith
Scott Smith
Ken Tousignant
Dave Tyson
Barbi Brewer-Watson
KDC Board terms ending in 2022:
Jeff Ashcraft
Lori Anderson
Dave Baron
Allison Beasley
Chris Bohlen
Doug Bright
Dave Crawford
Mark Geoffrey
Brad Kuntz
Connie Licon
Mike O’Brien
Matt Olszewski
Amy Rauch
Brian Scott
Mark Smith
William Yohnka
Dave Robinson
Central Park Officers:
President – Brad Kuntz
Vice President – Scott Smith
Secretary – Scott Franco
Treasurer – Matt Olszewski
Central Parking Board of Directors terms ending in 2021:
Mark Smith
Allison Beasley
Chris Curtis
Mike O’Brien
Dave Baron
