Zach Kennedy is an Extension Specialist in Community and Economic Development with state-wide responsibilities for Illinois Extension. He is an economist and urban planner by educational background, having earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of Illinois. He has over fifteen years of experience helping communities and regions develop plans, including economic development plans. Zach has had formal training as a facilitator. Additionally, he is highly skilled in working with demographic, economic, and spatial data including mapping using geographic information system (GIS) software. He is a proponent of data informed decision making and has a depth of experience explaining demographic and economic data to economic developers, local elected officials, and lay audiences. Zach brought the Illinois State Census Data Center (ISCDC) to Illinois Extension where he serves as the Center Lead. The ISCDC provides technical assistance and outreach on using Census data. The ISCDC serves as a liaison between the state’s Census data users and the U.S. Census Bureau.