Membership Information
You Should Join ECIDC...
To help actively promote and support economic development in the ECIDC region (Christian, Clark, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Jasper, Moultrie, and Shelby counties).
And to receive:
- Free advertising through regional website and development newsletter
- Free advertising of community and tourist attraction events through “East Central Illinois Events.com”
- Free regional advertising through ECIDC’s Annual Report
- 20% discount for advertisement space on regional tourism newsletter and “East Central Illinois Events.com”
ECIDC Development and Tourism Pages have received over 20,000 views combined in the past two years!
ECIDC members also benefit from:
- Updates on funding opportunities, governmental and legislative affairs
- Professional development, networking and training opportunities throughout the year
- Economic development research support
- Access to customized business analysis maps and reports at a discounted cost.
Membership dues are as low as $250 per year and may be tax deductible for business purposes.
Membership Application Benefits and Categories
Current members help grow regional development support through the New Member Referral Program co-sponsored by Midland States Bank & Midland Financial Strategies.
ECIDC made overwhelming progress and impacts in 2012 and is planning an even more productive 2013. Regional partners are necessary to keep the momentum going strong. Organizations such as yours provide ECIDC with the resources necessary to move East Central Illinois into the global economy!
In the past year ECIDC Accomplished...
Continued facilitation of a regional broadband action plan to promote high-speed Internet access and adoption for the region.
Hosted the 3nd Annual East Central Illinois Broadband Summit, effectively networking broadband providers with community stakeholders concerned with broadband access and infrastructure needs for our rural communities.
Piloted a community volunteer program, Connecting Generations, which matches student volunteers with area citizens to learn Internet skills. The program utilizes and pools existing resources and networks public libraries, schools and other community organizations concerned with assisting senior citizens to develop Internet use skills. Partnered with Lake Land College in a successful grant application to assist ten libraries in the region to adopt and implement the mentoring program. Libraries that successfully adopt the program will become eligible for up to $1,200 incentive funding from the grant. Developed a "How To" guide for other rural communities to easily adopt the program.
Hosted multiple Community Development Symposiums for area leaders on topics ranging from regional strategic planning, workforce development and entrepreneurial youth support programs.
Hosted a state-wide summit of community and economic development leaders to Create a Common Voice for Downstate Illinois.
Promoted tourism to the area through production of regional wine trail maps and other tourism resources. Launched a new tourism e-newsletter and website, www.EastCentralIllinoisEvents.com, to raise awareness within our region of the many community events, festivals, farmers markets and other family-friendly and fun activities available close to home.
Disseminated pertinent information to community and economic development leaders throughout the region such as site selection searches and grants and funding opportunities.
Built meaningful relationships among economic development, workforce development, education, and business and industry partners in the region.
Continued expansion of our regional data bank and resource center that is present on the ECIDC website and available for all community leaders within the region.
Offered market analysis services to our membership for use in developing customized maps and reports supporting grant applications and business retention & attraction.
Offered professional development and training opportunities to our membership and local leaders to expand their knowledge and application of useful tools.
Provided great networking opportunities and recognized extraordinary individuals and businesses for their efforts and dedication to the region.
In 2013 ECIDC Will...
Continue to promote broadband adoption and access in the region.
Continue to promote tourism to the region and raise awareness of community festivals and farmers markets through the regional resource website and tourism e-newsletter.
Provide educational opportunities for local leaders. Network area leaders concerned with community and economic development to foster regional collaborative efforts.
Provide support and assistance to local economic development organizations and communities in efforts to retain and attract businesses/industries, including the use of our GIS application mapping and reporting services.
Support local entrepreneurial efforts in the region.
Continue to facilitate the building of relationships amongst organizations and communities.
Offer support for all current and prospective economic development projects in the region.
Continue to improve and expand the resources available through its website, including our regional data bank.
Collect and share success stories of the region, recognizing leaders and organizations for their exemplary actions.
Jean Anne Grunloh , ECIDC Executive Director, is available to speak to your organization or community about the benefits and importance of regionalism and the many resources available through ECIDC. Contact her at (217) 540-3517 for more information.