Staff Spotlight: Reflections from the Global Entrepreneurship Congress
Joi Cuartero Austin, Gustavo Ustariz, and Wendy Otero attended the Global Entrepreneurship Congress and shared their takeaways.
As Senior Program Officer for Economic Vitality, Joi is primarily responsible for providing comprehensive revitalization technical services related to Economic Vitality for coordinating programs, commercial districts, and other partners across the country. Joi previously served as Senior Program Officer and Director of Illinois Main Street Programs at Main Street America.
Joi is the former Marketing & Communications director for Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF), the EDO for Adams County, IL and coordinating organization for the Tri-State Development Summit, a 36-county region of western IL, southeast IA and northeast MO. There she led economic and workforce development solutions.
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As a former Batavia, IL MainStreet executive director, her work included leveraging local assets to enhance and redevelop Batavia’s downtown, developing an award-winning program. In 2008, she helped bring the Water Street Studios art center to the Fox Valley region, a 16,000 sq-ft space with 28 artist studios, classes and galleries. Prior to her work with Main Street, Joi worked in music television production, primarily to produce the show Soundstage.
Joi became a certified economic development practitioner (CEcD) with the International Economic Development Council where she now serves on the board. Additionally, she serves on the board of IL Route 66 Byways, Quincy Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Quincy YWCA. She also sits on the Quincy Chamber of Commerce D&I committee and is co-founder of 100 Women Who Care Adams County chapter and collaborator for TEDx Quincy.
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Articles & Publications
Main Spotlight: Understanding Vacancy and What You Can Do About It
Vacant properties are a significant problem for many Main Streets. Understanding the causes and leveraging incentive programs and regulatory changes can help create a more vibrant district.
