. . . from the Illinois House of Representatives

For Immediate Release: April 13, 2007

SOTO WELCOMES TECH CENTER; WILL BRING JOBS, EDUCATION TO HUMBOLDT PARK

Lawmaker believes CIMA will bolster community’s economy

CHICAGO- State Rep. Cynthia Soto (D-Chicago) announced today that she will work to jumpstart the economy in Humboldt Park by expanding educational and job opportunities through a new partnership between Battelle Memorial Institute and Wilbur Wright Community College’s Humboldt Park Vocational Center (HPVC). Both organizations have created a new center, CIMA, for technology-based economic development.  Soto presided over the Center’s grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony at the Humboldt Park Vocational Center in Chicago.

“The Center is both timely and tailored to help our community and its residents,” said Soto. “It is poised to bridge the digital divide that affects this and other disadvantaged neighborhoods.” Moreover, CIMA will be at the forefront of business ingenuity and the leader in enhancing leadership and skills in our area.”

CIMA, will develop, mentor and grow local small businesses in wireless and information technology areas.  At the same time, the Center will help revitalize both the local economy and the community.  Soto believes CIMA is the right answer for generating future leaders within the community.  If we don’t start now in making sure our young and college students are up to par in the new global workforce, then we are letting them down by not exposing our youths to the business and technological markets.

“While training is crucial for preparing the workforce of the future, generating job opportunities through business acceleration is just as essential,” said Marcelo Quiroga from Battelleand Executive Director of Cima Technology Center.

“The CIMA Center represents the kind of partnerships with community colleges that benefit the community,” said Dr. Charles Guengerich, President of Wright College.  “Employers benefit from having well trained employees.  The community benefits because these employers keep jobs in the community.  Our students benefit by finding gainful employment after they receive the necessary training. In partnerships like this everyone benefits.”

"Gov. Blagojevich and I believe it is absolutely vital to make these kinds of important investments and forge these types of strategic partnerships that will prepare people for the 21st Century economy and beyond.  CIMA will be a tremendous resource for helping turn promising ideas into promising companies, while also providing an important economic boost to the entire community," Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Jack Lavin said.

Its other partnered organization, Battelle, is the world’s largest non-profit independent research and development organization, with 20,000 employees in more than 120 locations worldwide.  As a non-profit entity with supporting educational enterprises long-term, Battelle actively supports and promotes community projects.

For more information, please contact Representative Soto at (773) 252-0402.

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