Our Impact in Community & Economic Development

Find the keys to building healthy, prosperous communities.

Community and Economic Development programming helps community leaders, residents, and businesses build capacity for renewal and growth. The challenges facing communities are many. Illinois Extension works with you as you build effective teams to face the challenges and work more effectively and efficiently for your community. 

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Programs and Resources

west main charrotte event
Local Government Education
Illinois Extension provides education and support for leaders who need to manage and guide organizations, businesses, and local government.
community team members planning brainstorming session
Community Planning
Illinois Extension helps counties and communities develop comprehensive economic development initiatives and engage in participatory planning processes.
manufacturing class TT DILP 042016
Workforce Development
Illinois Extension offers custom training for businesses and organizations looking to enhance their employees’ skills and improve their efficiencies.

Community and Economic Development Team

Carrie McKillip

Carrie McKillip

Community and Economic Development Educator
Serving Henderson, Knox, McDonough and Warren Counties
Keywords
Business development
Business retention and expansion
Census
Civic engagement
Community development
Community planning
Community resiliency
Consumer economics
Disaster preparedness
Economic development
EDEN Ready Business
Entrepreneurship
Local government
Poverty simulation
Resilience
Workforce development
mckillip@illinois.edu
(309) 342-5108
Russell Medley

Russell Medley

Community and Economic Development Educator
Serving Henry, Mercer, Rock Island and Stark Counties
Keywords
Business development
Business retention and expansion
Civic engagement
Community development
Community planning
Community resiliency
Consumer economics
Disaster preparedness
Economic development
EDEN Ready Business
Entrepreneurship
Leadership development
Local government
Poverty simulation
Resilience
Workforce development
rmedley@illinois.edu
(217) 300-0886
Nancy Ouedraogo

Nancy Ouedraogo

Extension State Specialist, Community Economic Development
Keywords
Local government
Community development
Community planning
esarey@illinois.edu
217-244-7020
Laura Payne

Laura Payne

Professor, Extension Specialist, Director of the Office of Recreation & Park Resources (ORPR)
Keywords
Community planning
Community development
lpayne@illinois.edu
217-333-4410
Pam Schallhorn

Pam Schallhorn

Extension Specialist - Region 2 Community & Economic Development
Region 2
Keywords
Economic development
Entrepreneurship
Consumer economics
Community development
Downtown development
Community planning
Managing stress
Mental health
pscha2@illinois.edu
(217) 782-4617