Community Development Blogs | Illinois Extension

Havana benefits from Illinois Rural Tourism research

September 15, 2023

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...

Finish this story

New webinar series connects stakeholders to educators

June 7, 2023

Extension Snapshots

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-...

Finish this story

Richard Proffer hired as new Extension community and economic development educator

September 6, 2022

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 work, small business...

Finish this story

Fulton County collaboration yields $8 million in grants

June 9, 2021

Rural communities throughout Illinois and across the nation struggle to maintain population, jobs, and schools. The COVID-19 pandemic created even more challenges; however, a collaborative group of community leaders in Fulton County was already at work addressing the...

Finish this story

Extension part of team working to address lack of food options in South Side of Peoria

September 3, 2020

Change brings new problems and new opportunities for society. Several University of Illinois Extension educators serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties have joined a team of city leaders, agencies, and organizations to address the serious need of the lack of adequate access to fresh...

Finish this story

Extension staff and partners provide critical support to assist restaurants to reopen

July 8, 2020

Local eateries, restaurants, cafes, pubs, and coffee shops are the social and economic lifeblood of many Illinois communities. Following the stretch of statewide shutdowns that began in late March, University of Illinois Extension,...

Finish this story

School staff learn about challenges of living in poverty

East Peoria Junior High staff experience poverty simulation

March 9, 2020

For those who have never experienced poverty it is hard to imagine what is involved in navigating that day-to-day life. The stress and uncertainty play out in such ways that drastically impact high school graduation and college attendance rates for children and young adults in Illinois. University...

Finish this story

teaching a group of school teachers and administrators

Next Generation Science Standards training held for educational leaders

October 1, 2019

There is a correlation between improving science education and keeping the United States workforce strong and competitive. University of Illinois Extension and Bradley University Center for STEM Education have been partnering for many years, in a variety of ways, to help improve the learning...

Finish this story