Our Mission

The mission of the EDC is to attract new and retain existing business and industry for McLean County, Ill. and all cities, towns, villages and municipalities contained within its boundaries and to promote the civic, commercial and industrial welfare of McLean County.

Basic Concept

The EDC shall be the organization that enables stakeholders of the economic region to undertake joint and independent initiatives that cause economic activity and development in the region. Economic development will occur by having the EDC be the “manager” and “causal agent” in order to bring about reinvestment and new investment within the community. The EDC shall do this by establishing intense and strategic linkages and relationships between individuals, institutions and organizations in the private and public sectors as well as interest groups in the community. The EDC will concentrate on those activities that bring about the greatest return on investment for the companies and organizations (“clients”) we assist and for the community as a whole. All of this will be done in the context of the region’s specific resources, environment, goals and objectives.

The Market –

Promotion of the local and regional economy should occur in a marketplace characterized by strong economic progress and growth. When shifts in the market occur, the   EDC will be prepared. The prerequisites for major economic development activity to occur in the marketplace include political commitment by local elected leaders, human resources, economic potential and private sector initiative, democratic institutions and values and capital organization.

Core Activities –

In order to be the causal agent and manager of economic development in the region, the EDC must become competent and excel in these key activities: Business Investment & Reinvestment (Attraction & Retention); Marketing Promotion; Resource Development; Product Development; Infrastructure (transportation, IT, utilities); Workforce Issues; Land and Building Availability; Capital; Taxation; Local, State and Federal Business Climates; Organizational Management and Development of Staffing; Funding and Communications.