Blogs

Building Entrepreneurial Communities

female owner working in floral shop
What I Wish I had Known Before Starting My Business - Part 1
Starting a business is often glamorized. You picture creative freedom, financial independence, and the pride of building something from the ground up...
two kayakers paddle away from put-in on a placid river near bridge
Home First: A Resident-First Approach to Visitor Development
Many rural and small-town communities are encouraged to think about tourism in terms of branding, promotion, and attracting more visitors. Those...
Traffic circle with tower in Marion, IL
Placemaking: Building community around the places we share
What makes a town feel like home? One key indicator of a strong, resilient community is placemaking. The...
storefront on corner of block with mural on wall
How a revived downtown space strengthened community ties and local prosperity
Across many small towns, revitalization often begins with one simple but powerful spark: someone deciding to reinvest in a long-neglected space. This...
Support your local grocer
Want to know a secret? Your local, independent grocer loves you. Truly. They love your hometown, your traditions, your Friday-night ballgames, and...
hands holding empty wallet
How Poverty Simulations Inspire Empathy and Action
Poverty is a daily reality for many individuals and families but, unless you’ve lived it, it’s difficult to truly grasp the stress, complexity, and...
Scrabble pieces spelling the word Leadership
Community Leadership for Rural Illinois
In the realm of community development, discussions about creating leadership opportunities in rural American communities abound. Some advocate for...
view of small pond with cattails and floating log from shore
Take advantage of living in a small pond
For young adults or their parents, small towns may not seem like the most exciting places to live compared to the big city. However, they offer...
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Campus Engagement Projects

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...
drawing of lots of types of transporation and city skyline
Moving Toward Transportation Equity: A Case Study
Transportation moves us. Jobs, school, health clinics, grocery stores, recreational facilities, and more would be impossible to get to without...
downtown Morton IL
Housing Strategies for Economic Development in Central Illinois
Morton Economic Development Council and Chamber of Commerce...
Building an Equitable and Just Green Infrastructure Strategy in the North Central Region
Aging water infrastructure, extreme weather, and pressure from residents for green space and community resilience are bringing about changes to the...
Streator Incubator Feasibility Study
Streator is a forward thinking city. During the spring of 2019 the city contracted with ...
University of Illinois College of Medicine - Peoria Partnership
Our partnerships with U of I College of Medicine - Peoria are cross-disciplinary and mutually beneficial. Even though we are both...
Extension Staff Involved in Filling the Grocery Gap in Peoria
When two more grocery stores closed in 2018 in Southside and East Bluff Peoria neighborhoods, University of Illinois Extension staff joined the team...
Market Analysis Project Assists Delavan with Big Ideas to Improve their Small Town
There are tremendous opportunities in small town’s historic downtowns. This past fall University of Illinois Extension partnered with a Bradley...
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