Economic Development
North Central Illinois Council of Governments (NCICG) administers the North Central Illinois Economic Development District (EDD) that includes Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, and Putnam Counties.
Economic Development District
The North Central Illinois Economic Development District received its designation from the U.S. Department of Commerce – Economic Development Administration (EDA) in February 2005. The district is tasked with maintaining and implementing a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) that identifies the economic strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to the region and identifies actions that will spur economic growth. A District Committee guides NCICG in this effort.
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the North Central Illinois District represents a combined multi-county effort to bring economic improvement to the area. The plan replaces past single-county plans by combining the counties into one redevelopment district. The CEDS has been approved by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA). The CEDS outlines past development efforts in the district, describes the area’s economy, provides geographic and demographic information, identifies potentials and constraints with development, and outlines specific goals to improve economic development throughout the district. The actions and strategies in the CEDS are designed to have NCICG work to supplement and support the existing economic development organizations and groups that exist in the region and to fill in gaps as needed.
Congress and the U.S. Department of Commerce emphasize the importance of regional cooperation and development efforts to supplement the existing individuals, organizations, and associations that exist. This strategy allows the Federal government to participate in economic development in an efficient manner at the local level. Former U.S. Congressmen Ray LaHood (18th District), Jerry Weller (11th District), and Dennis Hastert (14th District) assisted NCICG’s efforts to bring these federal funds to the local area.
The North Central Illinois Economic Development District has received EDA funding for the implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy since October 2006.
A planning partnership grant NCICG has received from EDA will allow NCICG to implement and update the CEDS.
Economic Development Committee
An Economic Development District Committee provides guidance to NCICG on implementation and updates to the CEDS. Check back soon for a list of committee members.