Kankakee County CEO Students Attend Economic Alliance Meeting at Van Drunen Farms
Kankakee County CEO students began their morning (2/12/26,) at the 2026 first quarter Economic Alliance of Kankakee County meeting, hosted at Van Drunen and FutureCeuticals in Momence. The visit provided students with a firsthand look at how regional collaboration, business leadership, and long-term investment shape economic growth across Kankakee County.
The meeting highlighted a strong year for local development, with more than $2 billion in capital investment announced throughout the county in 2025. Speakers emphasized that economic success in the region depends on communities, businesses, and organizations working together, reinforcing the idea that when one area grows, the entire region benefits.
Students had the opportunity to hear from founder Ed Van Drunen and Ted Petersen, who shared insights on innovation and growth of Van Drunen Farms and FutureCeuticals into globally recognized companies rooted in Kankakee County. Their stories demonstrated how vision, persistence, and investment in people can create lasting impact both locally and beyond.
The meeting also included updates from Economic Alliance board members representing communities across the county. Among those presenting were two Kankakee County CEO board members, Mike O’Brien and Angela Morrey, who serves as Executive Director of the Economic Alliance. Their leadership provided students with a clear understanding of how public and private partnerships support business development and workforce growth.
For the CEO team, the morning served as both a networking opportunity and a valuable learning experience. Students gained a deeper understanding of the strengths and opportunities within their own community while seeing how collaboration drives economic momentum. Experiences like this continue to connect classroom learning with real-world business leadership, helping students better understand the role they can play in shaping the future of Kankakee County.
