Economic Development

Events

Blog Posts

woman arranging floral bouquet
Read article: What I Wish I had Known Before Starting My Business - Part 2
What I Wish I had Known Before Starting My Business - Part 2
Owning a business is often seen as a path to freedom, and while that can be true, my experience has revealed a more complex reality marked by...
Downtown buildings in Cambridge, Illinois
Read article: Rural tourism that works starts with residents
Rural tourism that works starts with residents
In Henry County, tourism doesn’t belong to a single town. It is something communities are building together.As part of the Governor’s Rural Affairs...
Richard Proffer
Read article: Richard Proffer attains two national certifications
Richard Proffer attains two national certifications
Richard Proffer, Community & Economic Development educator serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties, has recently received a new...
two kayakers paddle away from put-in on a placid river near bridge
Read article: Home First: A Resident-First Approach to Visitor Development
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...

News Releases

Property taxes and money displayed.
Community Questions, Clear Answers: Understanding Property Taxes
Understanding who does what within state and local government can sometimes be confusing. With information coming from many different sources, it can be difficult to determine what is accurate. To provide clarity, Extension will take a closer look each month at topics based on common questions...

Videos

Transitioning Energy Economies: Rural Clean Energy (2023)

Co-hosts: University of Illinois Extension, Prairie Rivers Network, Just Transition Fund, USDA Rural Development

This webinar series will explore state and federal opportunities related to the energy transition, including clean energy programs, transportation electrification, and other...

Staff

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Sarah Low

Professor - Rural Economic Development
Zachary Kennedy

Zachary Kennedy

Extension State Specialist, Community and Economic Development
Amanda Cole

Amanda Cole

Strategy, Planning and Implementation Assistant Director
Mark White

Mark White

Interim Assistant Dean and Program Leader, Community and Economic Development