Economic Development

Events

People, Profit, and Performance

September 22, 2026

County

Fulton

Mason

Peoria

Tazewell

Independent Grocer Summit

October 7, 2026

County

Union

Johnson

Massac

Alexander

Pulaski

Pumpkin Extravaganza

October 12, 2026

County

Union

Blog Posts

What I Wish I had Known Before Starting My Business - Part 2

August 31, 2026

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

Rural tourism that works starts with residents

July 31, 2026

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 attains two national certifications

July 21, 2026

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

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...

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News Releases

September 11, 2026

Business owners offered free program to improve their long-term business health
PEORIA, Ill. - People, Profit, and Performance is a class on how small business owners can begin succession planning for their business. Thanks to a local partnership, the class is being offered to local business owners for free on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.The class is 90 minutes of...

Carly Whorton presenting at 2025 grocer summit

September 10, 2026

Illinois Extension hosts second annual Independent Grocer Summit
CARTERVILLE, Ill. — The Southern Illinois Food Access Initiative, a program of Illinois Extension, is hosting the second annual Independent Grocer Summit at John A. Logan College on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. This annual event pulls together independent grocery store owners...

July 8, 2026

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...

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 is recognizing...

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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...