Kane County Taps Veteran Leader for New Economic Blueprint

BATAVIA, IL – March 25, 2026 – Kane County is embarking on a new, unified economic chapter with the appointment of veteran development professional Michael Cassa as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Kane County Economic Development Corporation (KCEDC). The strategic hire, effective April 1, 2026, signals a major shift from fragmented, passive growth to a proactive, coordinated strategy aimed at enhancing the county's competitiveness across its 29 municipalities.

A Proven Leader for a New Era

With 33 years of experience, Michael Cassa brings a deep well of expertise in public-private partnerships and business development to his new role. His career is marked by significant achievements in attracting and retaining businesses across several Illinois communities. During a decade-long tenure as President and CEO of the Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation, Cassa was instrumental in securing major corporate and division headquarters, including Advocate Health Care, Univar, and Crown Castle, profoundly shaping the village's economic landscape.

His extensive background also includes 13 years leading the Oswego Economic Development Corporation and, most recently, serving as the Economic Development Director for the Village of Sugar Grove. Beyond local impact, Cassa has shaped statewide policy, having served as Chairman of the Illinois Economic Development Association (IEDA) and on the Public Policy Committee of the International Economic Development Council. This track record of building relationships with site consultants, developers, and public sector leaders is central to the KCEDC's mission.

“I am pleased that Michael Cassa has accepted the position of inaugural CEO of the Kane County Economic Development Corporation,” said Madam Chairman Corinne Pierog in a statement. “This appointment marks an important milestone in the County’s approach to coordinated economic growth. Under his leadership, KCEDC will serve as a vital partner in advancing public-private partnerships and supporting a dynamic and resilient economic future for Kane County.”

Cassa himself has articulated a clear initial goal. “Kane County has the fundamentals that companies look for,” he stated. “My focus is to make decision makers aware of the advantages of locating or expanding their business in Kane County, and to create a county-wide team that will foster a streamlined site selection experience.”

Forging a Unified Economic Front

The creation of the KCEDC and the appointment of its first CEO address a long-recognized gap in the region's economic strategy. For years, Kane County was the only large collar county in Illinois without a coordinated, county-wide economic development organization. This resulted in what a 2024 strategic plan described as “fragmented governance,” where individual municipalities pursued their own goals, often leading to inefficiencies and missed opportunities.

While larger cities like Aurora and Elgin possess their own dedicated economic development teams, many of the county's smaller communities lack the resources for such efforts. The KCEDC, established as a non-profit public-private partnership, is designed to bridge this gap. It became operational in October 2024, backed by an initial county investment of $3.8 million and a board composed of local business and government leaders. The organization's mandate is to serve all 29 municipalities, acting as a central hub for business support, investment attraction, and regional collaboration.

Mark VanKerkhoff, Director of Kane County Development & Community Services, had previously noted that the new entity directly addresses this “longstanding gap,” transitioning the county from a reactive stance to a proactive one designed to compete on a larger stage.

The Blueprint for Growth: Site Readiness and Speed-to-Market

In its first year under Cassa's leadership, the KCEDC will focus on executing a clear and pragmatic plan to deliver immediate value to businesses, investors, and municipalities. Two core priorities stand out: creating a Site Readiness System and enhancing speed-to-market coordination.

The Site Readiness System aims to demystify the site selection process. It will create standardized, decision-ready profiles for available properties across the county, providing site selectors with consistent data on infrastructure, zoning, and permitting pathways. This initiative is designed to replace guesswork with clarity, allowing companies to quickly evaluate opportunities and move projects forward with confidence. The KCEDC will act as a concierge, guiding potential investors through this streamlined process.

Complementing this is the focus on speed-to-market. The corporation will position itself as the “front door” for new projects, coordinating with municipalities, utility providers, workforce organizations, and other regional partners. The goal is to reduce friction and eliminate bureaucratic hurdles, shortening the timeline from a company's initial inquiry to its final decision. In today's fast-paced economy, this efficiency can be a critical competitive advantage.

Targeting Key Industries for a Resilient Future

The KCEDC's strategy is not just about process; it's also about focus. The organization will target several key industry sectors identified for their high growth potential and alignment with the county's existing strengths. These include advanced manufacturing; food and beverage manufacturing and packaging; transportation, distribution, and logistics (TDL); life sciences; and business services.

Manufacturing is already a powerhouse in Kane County, accounting for roughly 17% of all jobs. The county has demonstrated strengths in metals manufacturing and has seen local products like the BoulePro 200AX and ActivWall gain statewide recognition. The new strategy will leverage these strengths to capitalize on reshoring trends and support smaller firms in scaling their operations.

Similarly, the transportation, distribution, and logistics sector is poised for growth. Benefiting from Illinois's world-class infrastructure—including O'Hare International Airport, a dense rail network, and extensive interstate highways—Kane County is well-positioned to expand its role as a logistics hub, especially with the continued rise of e-commerce. The food and beverage sector, with local success stories like Gindo's Hot Sauce, will also receive focused support, with an emphasis on strengthening the link between local agriculture and manufacturing.

While the life sciences and business services sectors are also targeted for growth, the success of all these initiatives will hinge on aligning them with robust workforce partnerships and talent development pathways to ensure a steady supply of skilled labor.

Addressing Economic Realities and Opportunities

Cassa and the KCEDC step in at a pivotal moment for Kane County. The county boasts significant economic strengths, including a population of over 517,000, a high median household income of $103,163, and a growing employed population of nearly 271,000. However, it also faces challenges that this new, coordinated approach is designed to tackle head-on.

Economic analyses have pointed to critical labor shortages in high-growth sectors, a need for a more robust ecosystem to support innovation and entrepreneurship, and the necessity of providing better support for small manufacturing firms looking to expand. The historical fragmentation among municipalities has, until now, hindered a collective response to these issues.

With a proven leader at the helm and a clear, multi-faceted strategy in place, the Kane County Economic Development Corporation is poised to create a more cohesive and powerful economic engine. The coming years will reveal how effectively this new blueprint can unify the county's diverse communities, attract new investment, and build a more dynamic and resilient economic future for all its residents.