Excellent news on two long-awaited projects

Rockford’s City Council approved spending some of its federal American Rescue Plan dollars to advance two initiatives that have been discussed for nearly a decade.

Both would have a positive impact in the community.

The Excel Center, an initiative driven by Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois, would offer free high school classes to adults 18-24.

It’s a second chance for the men and women who for one reason or another could not finish high school.

They earn a high school diploma, which will open more doors for them than a GED would, or an industry-recognized certificate.

And it’s an accelerated path.

It could take eight weeks or two years depending on how far along the person got in their education the first time around.

The Excel Center would eliminate some of the barriers that held those students back. It offers flexible schedules, free child care, transportation and counseling.

Students who graduate from Excel Centers increase their yearly income by about $12,000. The center is expected to serve 300 students a year, which would put a nice dent in the number of people in the region who do not have a high school diploma or GED.

Excel Centers also help the business community by providing more workers at a time when it seems most businesses have a “now hiring” sign out front.

The work at the Stellantis plant in Belvidere will require more workers to be developed.

Stellantis could develop them, but that would not send a good message to other companies that may be thinking about doing business here.

The Rockford Region needs to develop its own workforce.

There are plenty of people, but they lack the skills needed to gain meaningful employment. The Excel Center can help remedy that.

Play ball

City Council also on Monday night voted to approve $400,000 of ARPA money to help with field and capital improvements at Beyer Stadium, home of the International Women’s Baseball Center.

Field improvements are needed to attract tournaments and special events such as when Team USA visited Rockford last year before going on to play in the Women’s Baseball World Cup.

The IWBC, which was dedicated here in 2016, is a $10 million project that still needs money. Go to iwbc.org to donate.

Rockford was a natural place for the IWBC because Beyer Stadium was the home of the AllAmerican Girls Professional Baseball League’s Rockford Peaches from 1943 to 1954.

The Peaches became popular with a new generation thanks to the 1992 movie “A League of Their Own” and their popularity has been increasing thanks to the Amazon Prime streaming series of the same name.

A lot of Rockfordians wear Peaches T-shirts and sweatshirts so there’s plenty of community pride attached to the team and its history.

Condolences

Harlan Johnson died Feb. 25. He was 82. Harlan and I had known each other for years. He frequently submitted letters and guest columns when I was opinion editor of the Rockford Register Star.

He and I would invariably show up at the same community events.

Harlan was passionate about striving for equity, diversity and fairness in our community, nation and world.

He was a member of Eliminate Racism 815 and he was a community advocate who never stopped working to ensure all Rockfordians had equal opportunities.

Ironically, a day before he died, he sent an email requesting we get together and discuss my role at Transform Rockford and how we could move the community forward. I would have enjoyed that conversation.

Harlan wrote a column in 2018 that explained his view of Transform Rockford.

“The truth is that TR is an inspiration and a phenomenon that facilitates. It’s a catalyst, not an organization that does stuff on the ground. …

“We all need to be able to say “I transform Rockford” and mean it, including you, dear reader.”

Harlan was an inspiration to many. I had never heard so many friends, family and community advocates speak as I did at his service Wednesday.

He was obviously loved and respected and made a difference in the community.

Rest in peace, Harlan.

Wally Haas is executive director of Transform Rockford. His email address is whaas@transformrockford.org.