DeKalb County lost as much as 2 to 3 percent of its job pool last year, said Roger Hopkins, executive director of DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation.

At the same time, total employment rose. It probably was offset by retail and service employment, he said.

In his annual State of the County Address, Hopkins summarized the year’s business and community development.

He said all the communities in the county this year have worked on their comprehensive plans for controlled growth.

The city of DeKalb’s plan still is in the primary phase, he said.

Hopkins went through the year and talked about the places that opened and closed in the area.

One place mentioned was Cavel International, which is slated to finish construction in March.

“Cavel is much further along,” Hopkins said. “It should open as long as the state legislation doesn’t interfere.”

He also mentioned the $15,000 Huskies logo painted on the water tower.

“That may still be controversial,” he said.

Most of the growth in DeKalb County is residential growth, instead of industrial or commercial, he said.

Hopkins stressed that incentives must be offered to bring businesses into the county.

Hopkins also mentioned that the county is located among Chicago’s fastest-growing western suburbs.

“Most people want to realize it’s close to civilization,” he said.

A possible casino in Shabbona could bring people to the area, he said.

Even though 2003 was a good year, Hopkins said, he hopes the coming year will be better.

He said he hopes to fill the empty commercial sites with new businesses, but said he couldn’t be specific on which companies they were talking with.

“We have highly educated people and a motivated work force,” Hopkins said.