News

ECIDC Expands Outreach

The East Central Illinois Development Corporation (ECIDC), a historically nine county regional economic development consortium, recently invited Jasper County and Crawford County to join in their efforts.

            ECIDC is a membership-driven nonprofit organization with a 25 year history of fostering regional economic development in East Central Illinois.  ECIDC now covers the eleven county region including Christian, Clark, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Jasper, Moultrie, and Shelby and actively promotes this region globally with the goal of attraction and retention of businesses, industry, residents, and tourism while providing professional development and training opportunities to its membership, its governmental units, and its residents.

Over the past year, ECIDC has adopted the Open Source Economic Development Model and serves as the facilitator for spreading this model’s adoption throughout the entire region.  This innovative model was created to tear down the invisible boundaries that lie between each of our communities, counties, organizations and sectors so that we may begin to work together in collaborative efforts that will move our region forward.  ECIDC has also undergone an organizational restructure to adapt to the new model and entered many partnerships to fulfill their mission. The organization has developed a regional data bank and resource center present on the website, purchased an internet-based GIS mapping application made available for members use, and continue to offer great networking opportunities through the Annual Banquet and BESI Awards Ceremony and the boat outing.

            In 2009 ECIDC will continue to provide educational opportunities to its local leaders, provide support and assistance to local economic development organizations and communities in efforts to retain and attract businesses/industries, and support local entrepreneurial efforts in the region. The organization will continue to facilitate the building of relationships among organizations and communities, offer support for all current and prospective economic development projects impacting the region, improve and expand the resources available through its website, collect and share success stories of the region, and recognize leaders and organizations for their exemplary actions.

            For more information on ECIDC membership or initiatives please contact Trisha Borgic-Mason at (217) 540-3517.