Jersey County Board appoints Chris Lorton to Workforce Innovation Board
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
By Steven Spencer
Chris Lorton was appointed to the Madison, Bond, Jersey, Calhoun Local Workforce Innovation Board at the July Jersey County Board meeting.
The Workforce Innovation Board vision statement says the board works to serve as a strategic leader of local workforce system stakeholders by partnering with employers to develop polices that support regional economies.
“The vision for the Board is to serve as a strategic leader and convener of local workforce system stakeholders. The Board partners with employers and the workforce system to develop policies and investments that support workforce system strategies that support regional economies, the development of effective approaches including local and regional sector partnerships and career pathways, and high-quality, customer-centered service delivery and service delivery approaches,” the vision statement reads. “The purpose of the board is to provide strategic and operational oversight in collaboration with the required and additional partners and workforce stakeholders to help develop a comprehensive and high-quality workforce system in the local area and larger planning region; Assist in the achievement of the State’s strategic and operational vision and goals as outlined in the Unified State Plan, and; Maximize and continue to improve the quality of services, customer satisfaction, and effectiveness of the services provided.”
Lorton recently took over as owner at WJBM Radio in Jerseyville and addressed the Jersey County Board at their May meeting about the importance of supporting local media through advertising.
During May’s public comment portion of the meeting, Lorton said the community came very close to losing the station due to bankruptcy.
“The community came very close, and still could, lose WJBM radio station. It was in bankruptcy for several years with Farmers Bank of Griggsville. The bank kept the station operating because they didn’t want to end the station for the community,” Lorton said. “They contacted me in July 2023, wanting me to make an offer with the intention that I would keep the station operating or if not who is the best realtor in town who could move the property. Having a local radio station is important for our community. Not only for business relaying information about their products and services to local listeners or getting the latest update for local news and sports, but also in emergency situations where having real-time updates are vital. The communication avenues we rely upon (cellular, internet, etc.) are not as robust as FM/AM. In the event that power is lost, communication lines are down, or simply a heavily trafficked network, the station will provide updates that can save lives. In order for the station to survive it needs advertising dollars, anything the county can do to promote advertising dollars in the direction of WJBM can help sustain the station which in turn will work to serve the community both in good times and bad.”
