SPRINGFIELD - Thwarting terrorist attacks is good for the country's safety.

It's also good for business, state and industry leaders agree.

More than 50 Central Illinois business leaders met Thursday with state terrorism and economic development experts to brainstorm ideas to protect the homeland and to keep businesses running - even if terrorists strike.

"Quite frankly, the private sector does some things better than government does," said Michael Chamness, chairman of the Illinois Terrorism Task Force. "We want to tap the private sector for their ideas and their resources. We want them to help us continue to make Illinois a leader in homeland security."

Plans to fight terrorists also can mean economic development, said Matthew Summy, a deputy director with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

"In attacking the United States, one of the things that Osama bin Laden said is that he wanted to disrupt our economy," Summy said. "If businesses are prepared and have plans in place for how to respond, then we reduce our vulnerability."

Gov. Rod Blagojevich earlier announced plans to build a homeland security industry in Illinois.

"We want to bring new products to market, and we want to attract companies that provide homeland security services to Illinois," Summy said. "Our job is to use market forces to put better tools in the hands of first responders."

Government groups and private industries have many resources they could pool to combat a terrorist strike, said Bob Hayworth, senior captain of corporate security for Caterpillar Inc.

The Decatur plant, for example, has paramedics, emergency medical technicians, firefighters and hazardous materials responders on staff. Former military personnel, firefighters and police officers also contribute to Caterpillar's security.

"The purpose of this conference is to fill the one hole in the huge safety net we have for homeland security - bringing in the private sector and all the resources the private sector has to develop communication links between the public and private sectors," Hayworth said.

Cooperative efforts between state and business leaders were praised Thursday by James Lee Witt, former Federal Emergency Management Agency director.

"It's a great initiative," Witt said. "It's setting an example for the rest of the country."

Recent terrorist bombings in London underscore the importance of the initiative, Chamness said.

"It's a reminder to stay vigilant," Chamness said. "We were reminded in London last week - as we were in Madrid the year before - that people are still out there plotting to do us harm.

"It adds additional urgency and focus to what we're talking about."

Mike Frazier can be reached at mfrazier@;herald-review.com or 421-7985.