Acting on behalf of a local government, the WIRC can ensure that funding opportunities for local improvements are made known to local representatives. The WIRC staff can help a community and its local government to formulate a comprehensive plan unique to its own specific community development needs. These services, plus the assistance in the implementation of projects once funded, puts the WIRC Community Development staff in a full service capacity to communities.
Community Development
Creating Possibilities: Resources in Funding Opportunities Workshop Presentation
In late July, the Western Illinois Regional Council held a community and economic development workshop for local elected officials and economic development representatives at the Macomb City Hall Community Meeting Room. The workshops' speakers were from the Economic Development Administration, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Department of Transportation, the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development. Topics discussed at the workshop included current grant funding and opportunities for small communities with regard to economic development, energy, transportation, business and other community development issues and information. All six counties and many of communities within were represented with over forty persons in attendance. Evaluations of the program indicated that it was a very informative and worthwhile workshop, in addition to having opportunities for extensive networking.
Provided are the agenda and presentations.
The event was sponsored in part by the Economic Development Administration (EDA).
Creating Possibilities Agenda
Tim Milam, IDOT
Denise Todd, IDOT
Karen Poncin, IIRA
James Vanatta, USDA
Agnes Mrozowski, DCEO
Ean Johnson, EDA
