Economic Development

Events

From Seed to Sale

June 15, 2026

County

Montgomery

Buy Local

June 29, 2026

County

Montgomery

Independent Grocer Summit

October 7, 2026

County

Union

Johnson

Massac

Alexander

Pulaski

Blog Posts

two kayakers paddle away from put-in on a placid river near bridge

Home First: A Resident-First Approach to Visitor Development

May 24, 2026

Many rural and small-town communities are encouraged to think about tourism in terms of branding, promotion, and attracting more visitors. Those...

Placemaking: Building community around the places we share

April 21, 2026

What makes a town feel like home? One key indicator of a strong, resilient community is placemaking. The...

People sitting at a table with one person speaking

Manito Revive & Thrive community meetings makes for village revitalization

March 12, 2026

What began as a simple phone call from Jerald Schier, Manito village trustee, in Spring 2024 grew...

storefront on corner of block with mural on wall

How a revived downtown space strengthened community ties and local prosperity

March 1, 2026

Across many small towns, revitalization often begins with one simple but powerful spark: someone deciding to reinvest in a long-neglected space. This...

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News Releases

Two Master Gardener volunteers holding bug nets

April 22, 2026

'It's more than plants and landscapes:' Recognizing horticulture volunteers during National Volunteer Week
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — In communities across Illinois, the impact of a vegetable garden or a monarch waystation often begins long before the first seed is planted. It begins with a volunteer. During National Volunteer Week, University of Illinois Extension...

A 4-H member shows a volunteer judge his small engine project

April 19, 2026

Illinois Extension volunteers drive $353K in local impact across three Northern Illinois counties
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — For more than a century, University of Illinois Extension has developed educational programs, extended knowledge, and built partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land grant...

A group of people in an office environment

February 26, 2026

Illinois Extension supports rural communities with a business transition plans series
URBANA, Ill. — Across the United States, many small-business owners are approaching retirement without a clear plan for what comes next. Although these entrepreneurs have spent decades building companies that support local jobs and services, many are unaware of succession options beyond...

stock photo of a man and woman working in a coffee bar

February 24, 2026

Small Business Growth series offered locally
Many small business owners start their business believing their hard work will make it successful. Then over time, they realize the need for other pieces of information to help them make better and more profitable decisions.  That other information is the basis of the upcoming “Small...

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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...