About the EDC

The Economic Development Council of the Bloomington-Normal Area has a deep and rich history with genetic roots in the Association of Commerce (AIC), the forerunner to what is known today as the McLean County Chamber of Commerce. Since its very beginnings, the AIC had been actively involved in attracting business and business organizations to the Bloomington-Normal area. From the Ralston-Purina complex on the southwest side of Bloomington to the Illinois Agricultural Association to air service expansion – even a failed attempt in the mid-fifties to attract the new Air Force Academy, the AIC was very active and important to the economy of the region.

In 1963, when the AIC formed the Industrial Development Commission and raised $164,500 to purchase property for industrial development, the modern age of economic development was born. Several land purchases were made by the group with a number of projects successfully completed.

In the late 1970s the Industrial Development Commission was dissolved, and leftover funds were given to the AIC’s new Economic Development Committee.  In 1976, the AIC foundation was developed to promote studies on the economy and develop research on how best to bring development to McLean County.  In 1978, a Commercial/Industrial Development Division under the AIC was formed.

In 1983, at the recommendation of a study by the Fantus Group, a new independent McLean County Economic Development Council was formed with Richard Godfrey, mayor of Normal, as its first chair. It established four goals – to encourage the retention of existing businesses in the county, to attract new commercial and industrial businesses, to promote a greater understanding of the economic development process and to compile the necessary support data to carry out its objectives. In the summer of 1985 the new EDC and Chamber once again combined forces into one organization.

On January 1, 2003, the Economic Development Council, the McLean County Chamber, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau separated into three organizations. The aggressive demands and competitiveness of communities and regions dictated this approach. To compete with neighboring regions and states for economic development, tourism and business, community leaders felt three organizations headed by their own directors and boards would better serve the community.

Since 2003, the Economic Development Council has operated from its offices at the Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington.