Economic development

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Profile picture of Richard Proffer, new Extension community and economic development educator
Richard Proffer hired as new Extension community and economic development educator
University of Illinois Extension, Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit is pleased to announce...
thriving downtown buildings
Bring life to empty downtown buildings
I’ve noticed that many of our rural Illinois communities have a vacant or derelict building in the heart of their downtown or on main street. While...
Spending locally first ensures roads are safe for travel in winter.
What does it take to keep our roads clear . . . and how do we pay for it?
In Illinois, we’re familiar with the phrase “A winter weather advisory is in effect for your region.” Snow has blanketed the state from north to...
Opportunity Zones projects in Canton and Havana, Illinois
The Opportunity Zones incentive is a new community investment tool...
Remote work offers potential benefits for Illinois’ rural communities
Many rural areas in the U.S. Midwest have been experiencing net population losses for years, raising concerns about the survival of these communities...
hands writing on paper at table
USDA Rural Economic Development Innovation (REDI) Initiative garnered big results in Fulton County and beyond
Many voices, one vision The...
People filling out paperwork on a desk
Fulton County collaboration yields $8 million in grants
Rural communities throughout Illinois and across the nation struggle to maintain population, jobs, and schools. The COVID-19 pandemic created even...
Greater Peoria Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Department of Urban and Regional Planning (DURP) collaborated with the Greater Peoria Economic Development...

News Releases

Galena Illinois downtown storefronts
Bring life to empty downtown buildings
URBANA, Ill. – Many rural Illinois communities have a vacant or derelict building in the heart of their downtown or on main street. While the missed opportunities of a property sitting vacant seem basic, the concept is complicated. Intent, code, statute, and insurance classification may...

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