New Kane County EDC CEO Michael Casa outlines priorities to boost jobs and collaboration
May 15, 2026 | Kane County, Illinois
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Michael Casa, introduced by the chair as the new chief executive officer of the Kane County Economic Development Corporation, told the Jobs Committee on May 15 that he took the post April 1 and is focused on three priorities: business retention and expansion, business attraction and collaboration.
"So this is week 6 for me. I started April 1," Casa said, describing prior economic development roles in Oswego, Downers Grove and Sugar Grove and work with the Illinois Economic Development Association and the International Economic Development Council. He told the committee the EDC is a public-private partnership and will recruit private-sector investment to sustain operations.
Casa said the EDC’s three pillars are to: (1) retain and expand existing employers by meeting with local firms and inviting them to be investors in the organization; (2) attract new businesses through marketing—building a new website, social media and paid advertising including placements in Site Selection magazine—and (3) facilitate collaboration with municipalities, community colleges and other partners so local governments and agencies do not duplicate outreach.
He listed education partners and invited presidents from area colleges to join the EDC board, naming Dr. Peggy Heinrich of Elgin Community College and Dr. Brian Kennettel (as introduced in the meeting) among early partners, and said the board will grow over time.
In response to a committee question about an open house, Casa said the EDC expects to hold one in September once technology is in place at its Downtown Batavia office and invited board members to visit the office at 1st and Water Street. He said the EDC will prioritize marketed sites that are already zoned for commercial or industrial use rather than agricultural land because site consultants and state leads typically require a zoned site and have a short response window.
Casa said he plans to return to present at the county’s June 12 roundtable and to the committee in July.
The committee did not take a formal action on the EDC introduction; Casa’s remarks were a presentation and orientation to committee members.
"So this is week 6 for me. I started April 1," Casa said, describing prior economic development roles in Oswego, Downers Grove and Sugar Grove and work with the Illinois Economic Development Association and the International Economic Development Council. He told the committee the EDC is a public-private partnership and will recruit private-sector investment to sustain operations.
Casa said the EDC’s three pillars are to: (1) retain and expand existing employers by meeting with local firms and inviting them to be investors in the organization; (2) attract new businesses through marketing—building a new website, social media and paid advertising including placements in Site Selection magazine—and (3) facilitate collaboration with municipalities, community colleges and other partners so local governments and agencies do not duplicate outreach.
He listed education partners and invited presidents from area colleges to join the EDC board, naming Dr. Peggy Heinrich of Elgin Community College and Dr. Brian Kennettel (as introduced in the meeting) among early partners, and said the board will grow over time.
In response to a committee question about an open house, Casa said the EDC expects to hold one in September once technology is in place at its Downtown Batavia office and invited board members to visit the office at 1st and Water Street. He said the EDC will prioritize marketed sites that are already zoned for commercial or industrial use rather than agricultural land because site consultants and state leads typically require a zoned site and have a short response window.
Casa said he plans to return to present at the county’s June 12 roundtable and to the committee in July.
The committee did not take a formal action on the EDC introduction; Casa’s remarks were a presentation and orientation to committee members.
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