FREEPORT — The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced awards for competitive grant funding opportunities totaling $31 million, including $144,000 to the Greater Freeport Partnership to identify and plan for future industrial corridors.
Planning grants support due diligence activities grantees will undertake to better prepare sites to attract future investment and new job opportunities in the industrial sector across Illinois Economic Development Regions.
The grant will allow the Partnership to locate, assess, and determine which sites are ideal for future development. Having shovel-ready sites available in Freeport and Stephenson County is vital to respond to new industrial development opportunities as well as assist existing businesses to expand. A shovel-ready site is defined as a developable site with access to necessary utilities and transportation options.
“Freeport and Stephenson County have been at a disadvantage in attracting new business development as we currently lack adequate shovel-ready sites to submit for projects. The planning grant awarded by DCEO will allow us to work with our public and private partners to identify site development opportunities and be one step closer to competing for future projects,” said Partnership Executive Director Andrea Schultz Winter.
Guided by Illinois’ 2024 Economic Growth Plan, which includes site readiness as a central initiative of the State’s business development strategy, the Regional Site Readiness Program aims to support municipalities, local economic development organizations, and landowners in gathering information and making site improvement necessary to attract industrial businesses to their communities.
“The Regional Site Readiness Program is building on the state’s economic momentum,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “These projects are readying sites for new capital investment and job creation to solidify Illinois’ reputation as an economic powerhouse that provides companies with access to the infrastructure they need to succeed.”
Passed in 2019, Rebuild Illinois is the largest capital program in Illinois history. The $45 billion investment is supporting improvements to the state’s infrastructure, creating jobs and promoting economic growth.
The Greater Freeport Partnership is a catalyst for dynamic economic growth fostering an inclusive environment where businesses thrive, and our community prospers. The Partnership is dedicated to nurturing new opportunities while enriching the fabric of Freeport and Stephenson County.
