Community Development Blogs

Elmwood is a small town in west central Peoria County, with a population close to 2,000 people. It has a wealth of cultural arts and natural assets that attract tourists. Students in the Sustainability and Rural Tourism course in the University of Illinois Department of Recreation, Sport, and...

No matter the size of the community, there are always projects that need addressed. And many times, those projects are also in need of funding sources. A recent meeting facilitated by University of Illinois Extension helped community leaders connect with three state funding sources.“As I work with...

“Is it safer to play single-player games online than multi-player games?” “What is the purpose of parental controls on devices? Are they keeping us safer?”“So, is social media only bad for us?”These were some of the questions Abi Amstutz-Spencer, ...

Video conferencing may have seen a burst of use during recent years, but its popularity hasn’t waned much. Today, educational, social, and professional opportunities frequently rely on video conferencing software like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meets. Local University of Illinois Extension...

Homelessness is an increasing societal issue in every community in America today. Pekin is no exception to it either. The Pekin Downtown Main Street Merchants Association reached out to University of Illinois Extension for help in...

Small businesses form the backbone of Illinois’ economy, especially in smaller cities and rural areas.  With this in mind, a team from University of Illinois Extension, together with the  Illinois Small...

The hallmark of any Extension program is the information shared be research-based and communicated in a manner that helps to drive change in a community. Richard Proffer, University of Illinois Extension community &...

Many small rural towns in Illinois are experiencing an economic downturn due to reasons beyond their control. One town, Havana, Illinois, is taking the bull by the horns to turn their community around economically. The local chamber of commerce and city...

In the past year, three new educators have joined the University of Illinois Extension, Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit team. This new team of six worked together recently to showcase the expanded programs and knowledge base they offer locally to help make people and communities better. The 5-...

University of Illinois Extension, Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit is pleased to announce Richard Proffer as the new community and economic development educator. He brings a wealth of experience in business retention and expansion...