State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) and State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) visited Arthur, Arcola, and Tuscola March 4, talking with business leaders, economic development leaders, and local officials about how Douglas County can use its Enterprise Zone designation as a marketing tool to recruit job creators to the area.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development announced late last year that Douglas County would be certified as an Enterprise Zone starting Jan. 1, 2018.
Rose and Halbrook are calling the Enterprise Zone a “game changer” for the region in terms of creating jobs, recruiting new businesses, and boosting local economies.
“An Enterprise Zone designation is a critical element to job retention and attracting new jobs and business to an area,” Rose said. “Our local mayors, county officials, and economic development officials did a great job in putting together a comprehensive application for the entire county for Enterprise Zone status. Rep. Halbrook and I were happy to be a small part of their effort by lending our support to the applications review at the state level. Enterprise Zone status will provide a great ‘shot in the arm’ for our local economy – it is amazing what a true team effort can accomplish.”
“At its core, an Enterprise Zone is about job creation,” Halbrook said. “This certification is a game changer for Douglas County, and it could help the area become a manufacturing destination in the Midwest. It is a major piece of the economic puzzle that can help drive long-term investment to Douglas County.”
Enterprise Zones are a locally driven tool that provide financial incentives for companies and organizations seeking to develop or create new jobs in the Enterprise Zone. This can include property tax reductions, sales tax exemptions on qualifying building materials, investment tax credits, utility tax exemptions, among other local incentives.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development says that once designated, an Enterprise Zone maintains its designation for 15 years. The Enterprise Zone Board will review the Zone after 13 years to determine a possible 10-year extension of the designation