News and Media

ILMO Products Company Shows That Jacksonville, IL is A Great Place for Business

Friday, November 20, 2020

ILMO Products Company is a mainstay of the Jacksonville region operating as a single-source provider of industrial, medical, and laboratory gases. Additionally, they offer bulk and residential propane, welding and safety equipment, industrial supplies and accessories, and welder rental and repair services. The company was founded in 1913 in Jacksonville as Illinois Tire and Vulcanizing by the Floreth family and remains family-owned to this day. While ILMO has expanded to a total of nine locations throughout Illinois and employs nearly 100 people, it remains headquartered in Jacksonville. “As the company has grown, there have been occasions for us to reevaluate ou...

In Focus: An Evolving Last Mile

Thursday, October 29, 2020

Apart from the tragic global health implications, the economic fallout from the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic has been highly disruptive. The longer-term impact from the profound behavioral shift on the part of consumers who have — by necessity — been introduced to online shopping will persist long after the current recessionary cycle ends. While some new online shoppers will go back to their pre-COVID habits once the pandemic is behind us, many will be “sticky,” finding the convenience of online shopping too alluring. One recent survey finds that 46 percent of shoppers currently plan to continue buying online. From curbside and in-store pickup t...

Infrastructure Investment as an Economic Stimulus Tool

Thursday, October 29, 2020

In times of economic struggle — such as the recession that abruptly arrived with the COVID-19 pandemic — analysts and advocates promote an array of options as effective tools for stimulating the economy. One of the most frequently suggested options is infrastructure spending. Proponents of infrastructure spending during dire economic times view it as a productive job creator and essential foundation for a long-term recovery and return to sustained prosperity. Brian Raff, director of Communications and Public Affairs for the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), cites a 2015 study by the Duke Center on Globalization, Governance, and Competitiveness to demonstrate infrastructure investment’...

Data-Driven Operational Strategies in the Pandemic Era

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

As state economies struggle between surging cases of COVID-19 and intense pressure to reopen — albeit with varying degrees of restrictions — companies that reduced or halted operations in response to stay-at-home orders are torn between the urgent needs to both restore revenue streams and to ensure the safety of their employees and customers. Since every location has a different dynamic and risk profile, creating a return-to-work strategy is complicated, whether a company operates in five locations or 500. The solution to developing a sound, portfolio-wide strategy includes having ready access to data, analytics, and insights, including regional and community-specifi...

The New Normal in the Automotive Supply Chain

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

For immediate evidence of disruptions in the automotive supply chain, you need to look no further than your local dealer. Many lots are nearly empty of new vehicles, with average dealer inventories across the U.S. far below the normal 50–60 days’ supply. How did this happen? Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic is a major part of the problem. When automotive production was abruptly halted in March, there were not any new vehicles being produced until early May. Even then, production has been proceeding in fits and starts. At the same time, consumers have continued to purchase vehicles, keeping auto demand surprisingl...

Have Years of Darwinism in Rural America Paid Off During COVID-19?

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

As cities reel from a public health crisis and civic unrest, rural and small town community leaders are the unspoken heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have historically learned how to thrive through fostering creative connections between limited resources and community needs. Years of practice navigating threats and finding solutions keeps rural America surviving, even amidst a pandemic. Progressive rural community leaders developed a task force in March. They used frequent and clear communication on the local plan. Rural America applied well-practiced skills listening to citizens, health care professionals, business owners and educators to make decisions right for their own communities...

In Focus: Increased Data Center Growth Driven by the COVID-19 Pandemic

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

The stratospheric rise of the cloud over the past few years caught many off guard and created an arms race among the cloud providers, with data center development underpinning the effort. These cloud providers were anticipating ever-increasing demand for the cloud by globally creating a robust and redundant network of massive data centers tethered together through a network of smaller data centers and fiber connection locations. Data centers that service other segments of the market (wholesale colocation, “edge,” and retail) were also riding the wave of increased demand. Little did we know a global pandemic would make data centers and th...

Remote Workers Find the Quality of Life and Connectivity They Need in the Jacksonville Illinois Region

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, 43 percent of the workforce worked from home at least some of the time according to Gallup data. With the pandemic, that percentage increased, and many people switched completely to remote work. With that switch, many found a certain freedom. In April 2020, people in the U.S. relocated at twice the rate they did one year ago, and that higher rate of moves continued through May, The Wall Street Journal reported. Remote workers are looking to relocate from more populated, pricey metros to smaller cities where they can more easily social distance, get more bang fo...

Business is returning and needs you

Monday, October 26, 2020

While it feels like 2020 has lasted more than a year already, we have been through a lot in a short amount of time. The shutdown started in a cold, gloomy month and everything looks different now … the sun is out, and though it feels like summer, summer doesn’t yet feel normal. Gone for the time being are the opportunities for large gatherings that we all associate with summer fun: concerts, fairs, and festivals. Businesses are open, but even they seem different. And they are. Many small businesses downtown took advantage of the shutdown to make changes: Norma’s has a completely ne...

Civic clubs aid community growth

Monday, October 26, 2020

There are three legs required to build a strong foundational stool of sustained community transformation: the local media company, local chambers of commerce and Main Street organizations and, of course, community government or leadership. While a three-legged stool can stand just fine, nothing beats a stable four-legged stool. When it comes to building a four-legged stool of sustained and powerful community transformation, we must consider adding local civic clubs or groups to the other legs. Local civic clubs such as the Rotary, Optimist, Shriners, Exchange, Young Professionals, Kiwanis, American Legion, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and religious groups are loaded with talented and visionar...

Make Your Next Pitch Instantly More Compelling By Using This One Philosopher's Framework

Thursday, October 22, 2020

Want to know with confidence that your elevator pitch will land? Would clarity and persuasion help you attract more clients, investors, mentors and sales? To maximize success in conversation, ensure you are following Grice’s maxims. Twentieth-century British philosopher Paul Grice shifted the way we think about semantics and language. His maxims for conversation are part of his work on the cooperative principle, which states that when people engage with one another there are unspoken assumptions around how the conversation will unfold. Research tells us that we grasp the nuances of Grice’s maxims from an early age; a 2015 study found that children as young as six year...

Jacksonville Partners with Local Businesses to Better Serve the Community

Monday, October 19, 2020

Jacksonville partners with local businesses and organizations to better serve the community. The Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation (JREDC) has a mission to help local businesses and the local economy thrive. Creating partnerships with local businesses helps this goal. We here at the JREDC are a great resource for any business that is looking to locate in the area as well as for existing businesses who may need assistance. We connect businesses with local partners that can help other businesses succeed. Click here to view our partnerships and for more information on how the JREDC can help your business thrive!

Manufacturing Month shines spotlight on impact of local manufacturers

Thursday, October 15, 2020

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — In celebration of National Manufacturing Day and Illinois Manufacturing Month, the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce and Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation (JREDC) are working collaboratively to illustrate the importance of manufacturing in the Jacksonville area. On a national level, the importance of promoting the high-skill, high-tech and high-paying jobs manufacturing offers American skilled workers cannot be understated. In fact, The Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte estimate 4.6 million manufacturing jobs will need to be filled in the next decade. Manufacturing Day and Month efforts are critical to inspire the next generation of workforce to choose a career i...

Available Featured Properties in and Around Jacksonville

Monday, October 12, 2020

Check out the available featured properties in and around the Jacksonville Region on our website today! The Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation (JREDC) is dedicated to helping businesses and site selectors find the right property for their business needs. This is why we have listed available properties for sale or lease on our website for free! Site selectors and business owners looking for property can sift through the list of available properties in our region and take advantage of our in-depth information on every available featured property. Click here to view the list of featured properties in the Jacksonville region an...

Jacksonville’s Economic Development Website Offer Online Workforce Resources for Businesses and Employees

Monday, October 05, 2020

Jacksonville’s economic development website offers online workforce resources for local businesses and employees. Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation’s (JREDC) website has gathered online workforce resources for businesses and the local workforce. The goal is to help as many businesses and people succeed in the Jacksonville area as we can. The JREDC is committed to helping guide businesses find and hire qualified employees. It is also dedicated to helping people find the right business to advance their careers. We have set up a page on our website where people can go to which highlights some of the main workforce resources available. Clic...

Five Common Ways To Fund A Small Business Beyond Personal Savings

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

One of the most cliched statements in starting a small business is that “it takes money to make money”... but it is often true. Many businesses need an infusion of cash to buy essential components of their operations. For a pizzeria, that could be an industrial oven, and for a yard care business, that could be a commercial lawn mower. A common funding practice many new business owners take is to use personal savings and start small by reinvesting profits into the business. This approach, known as bootstrapping, seems rooted in common sense, but can be restrictive to your business’ growt...

Have a Job Opening in the Jacksonville Region? Submit it Here!

Monday, September 28, 2020

Have a job opening in the Jacksonville Region? Submit it now to Jacksonville’s Regional Economic Development Corporation’s (JREDC) website. The JREDC’s website is offering businesses the opportunity to post job openings for free! All businesses have to do is go to our website and fill out the information on the job that is available. This includes Job Title, publish date, type of job, pay information, and other requirements and qualifications for the job. Lastly, contact information for the business must also be provided. Once you have submitted this information the JREDC will post the job opening on our website. Click her...

The Jacksonville Region Has Properties and Resources to Support Onshoring Companies

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

For companies looking to stabilize their supply chains by onshoring, the Jacksonville region in Illinois has the desired assets and amenities that appeal to site selectors looking to relocate or expand. Why Did Onshoring Become a Key Strategy? Strengthening supply chains by onshoring became critical for many businesses as the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the vulnerability of relying on global resources and products. Over the past 40 years, focus on cost reduction steadily motivated companies to relocate manufacturing overseas as global markets opened up in places such as China, South Korea, Vietnam and Thailand. Businesses are now seeing that reducing the risk o...

Get to Know Jacksonville’s Hard-Working Workforce

Monday, September 21, 2020

Check out our new economic development website and get to know Jacksonville’s hard-working workforce. The Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation (JREDC) has a mission to help site selectors and business owners get to know the area. One way we have done this is to compile up-to-date information on our local workforce. Our demographics give site selectors and business owners looking for a location demographic information such as the total number of businesses and the total number employed. This information also includes specifics on the different types of businesses and industries thriving in Jacksonville as well as workforce education demographics and more...

JACKSONVILLE, ILLINOIS – A CITY OF SURPRISES

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Business View Magazine interviews representatives from Jacksonville, Illinois, as part of our series on best practices of American towns and cities. The City of Jacksonville is located in west central Illinois, 35 miles west of Springfield, the state capital. It is the county seat of Morgan County and one of the oldest towns in the Land of Lincoln, founded in 1825. Jacksonville was established by Yankee settlers from New England, who laid out farms, constructed roads, erected government buildings, and established post routes. They were part of a wave of European/American farmers who headed west into what was then the wild...

Get to Know the Jacksonville Region

Monday, September 14, 2020

Get to know the Jacksonville region and see why people love living here! The Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation (JREDC) works together with the chamber of commerce, and other organizations to inform people about Jacksonville and the many perks to living and working here. Located in the heart of Illinois, Jacksonville has a population of approximately 20,000 people. Jacksonville has two liberal arts colleges, one community college, and great K-12 school districts. Jacksonville has national retail stores, fortune 500 businesses, small businesses, and a strong manufacturing base that adds to our economic vitality. We have many affordable housing options and ...

Jacksonville’s Entertainment Sector Has Something for Everyone

Monday, September 07, 2020

Jacksonville’s entertainment sector has something for everyone! If you are into arts and entertainment this is the place for you. We are home to the Jacksonville Symphony, the Illinois College TheatreWorks, and Lovejoy Hall. We also have several bars and restaurants that offer happy hours along with live music. If you are into sports, we have several golf courses, the Jacksonville Speedway, and Lenz Field – which features competitive baseball and softball games. Jacksonville also hosts several annual events that people look forward to and enjoy every year. This includes our Beaux Arts Ball, Rotary Bass Tournament, Morgan County’s Fair, 4t...

Enjoy Jacksonville’s Parks and Recreation!

Monday, August 31, 2020

Jacksonville has a variety of parks and other recreational activities for its residents and others to enjoy! Jacksonville has several local parks to choose from including Godfrey Park which is a fully accessible park for everyone to enjoy. Jacksonville has a wildlife sanctuary, several nature and hiking trails, several golf courses, and more. Jacksonville is also home to Lake Jacksonville. Our lake was voted the number one Bass Fishing Lake in Illinois. Nature lovers will love enjoying the outdoor activities we have to offer here. Click here for more information on the parks and recreational activities that Jacksonville has to offer!

Shopping in Jacksonville

Monday, August 24, 2020

Shopping in Jacksonville is easy with all of the different eclectic shops and stores located here! Morton Avenue is a major hub in Jacksonville for retail and commercial stores. Morton Avenue is home to such stores as Wal-Mart, Maurice’s, Home Depot, Walgreens, CVS, and more! The Lincoln Square Shopping Center is also located on Morton Avenue and is home to several clothing and retail stores such as J.C. Penny, Sears, Famous Footwear, to name a few. Jacksonville’s downtown area and historic Central Park Plaza offers people a wide range of shops and services, including several unique small businesses. Click here t...

Jacksonville’s K-12 Schools Offer Children Top-Notch Education

Monday, August 17, 2020

Jacksonville’s K-12 schools offer children of residents a top-notch education. The Jacksonville Region is dedicated to providing high-quality education to children of the community. The Jacksonville School District #117 educates over 3,400 students each year. The School District has the broadest curriculum in the region educating students on agriculture, business, sciences, healthcare occupations, trades education, and technical education, among other core classes. Jacksonville has three parochial schools – Our Savior Grade School, Routt Catholic High School, and Westfair Christian. Jacksonville is also home to the Illinois School for the Deaf (ISD) and the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired (ISV). Clic...

Jacksonville’s Healthcare Facilities are Dedicated to Serving the Community

Monday, August 10, 2020

Jacksonville’s healthcare centers are dedicated to serving the community by giving them high-quality care. The Jacksonville Region has several different healthcare facilities designed to care for residents of the community. The Passavant Area Hospital is the largest healthcare institution in the area and has been rated as one of the two top-rated hospitals in the state. The hospital serves all of Morgan, Cass, Greene, Scott, and Macoupin counties. Jacksonville is also home to the Springfield Clinic Prompt Care Center, SIU Family Medicine, Memorial Physician Services, rehabilitation facilities, and long-term care facilities. Click here to learn more about the top-notch healthcare i...

Jacksonville Offers Affordable Housing and a Lower Cost of Living

Monday, August 03, 2020

Jacksonville, IL, offers affordable housing and a lower cost of living for its residents. Many people who have moved to Jacksonville from bigger cities were pleasantly surprised at how much less housing costs here. Jacksonville also offers a variety of different housing options in both urban and rural areas. Jacksonville also has four colleges, available jobs, fast access to bigger cities, and great financial incentives to help businesses succeed, making it a great place to call home. If you are looking for a place to relocate to which more affordable housing options, Jacksonville could be right for you! Click here t...

How the Construction Trades Responded to COVID-19

Thursday, July 30, 2020

When the rapid spread of COVID-19 shut down job sites all across the U.S. in March, one industry that kept on operating, if not always at full speed, was construction. Deemed an essential business by most mayors and governors, construction continued even as more Americans came down sick with the disease and ended up in hospitals. Still, the construction industry was not immune to the effects of the pandemic-induced recession. Read full article.

In Focus: Is Your Workplace Ready for the “Next Normal?”

Thursday, July 30, 2020

A return to normalcy won’t cut it in the post-COVID workplace. How real estate leaders approach this all-new landscape will have lasting implications on our communities’ health, employee safety and well-being, and organizational performance alike. If it sounds like a tall order, that’s because it is. Yet, tumultuous times have historically inspired innovation. Now is another such moment, as workplace leaders around the globe prepare and initiate plans for a safe and effective return to the office. Read full article.

‘Wonderful in Their Own Ways’ Doesn’t Keep Businesses in Town

Thursday, July 30, 2020

Wrapping up this issue in recent days, I found myself reviewing the article on remote working while working remotely. Irony aside, it’s a goldmine of information on the topic, full of insights you’ll want to discuss with your peers as you plan reopening offices and other facilities. And it’s one of eight features in this issue written to help make sense of a business world few could envision just a few months ago. Read full article.

Help Create More Jobs in Jacksonville By Becoming an Investor

Monday, July 27, 2020

Help create more jobs in Jacksonville, IL, by becoming an investor. The Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation (JREDC) is committed to creating new jobs and helping businesses and the local economy thrive. One of the ways people can help the JREDC accomplish this is by becoming an investor. View a list of current investors here. Businesses can invest at the financial level they feel comfortable with. This is why the JREDC has created several levels of investment options. When we invest in our local businesses it helps everyone succeed and creates more jobs. Click here to learn more about how yo...

Moving Jacksonville forward

Thursday, July 23, 2020

Forward-thinking. Progressive. Ready to embrace opportunities. Jacksonville has a legacy to uphold of being a community focused on the future. Nicknamed the “Athens of the West,” historically our community has been a leader in educational, cultural and recreational opportunities. And thanks to the determination of previous city officials and business leaders, our community has benefited from valuable infrastructure updates which led to industrial development throughout the last 70 years. Today, Jacksonville is poised to further its progressive legacy by becoming one of only a handful of cities in the U.S. to give its residents the option to subscribe to fiber broadban...

Jacksonville’s Target Industries are Thriving

Monday, July 20, 2020

Jacksonville’s target industries are thriving! Located in western Illinois, along the I-72 Corridor, Jacksonville is an ideal location for businesses. This is especially true with businesses in our target industries. Businesses in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors are particularly successful. Other target industries in Jacksonville include healthcare, small business development, assembly/warehouse/distribution, clean energy, logistics and transportation, and tourism. If you are a site selector or a business owner looking to locate or relocate your business and are in one of these target industries Jacksonville can be the right fit for you. We also offer other incentives for businesses that choose u...

Take Advantage of the Opportunity Zone in Jacksonville, Illinois

Monday, July 13, 2020

Businesses should take advantage of the opportunity zone located in Jacksonville, Illinois. The goal of these opportunity zones it to boost economic growth by helping businesses move in and become successful. Businesses and investors are given tax incentives and tax breaks when they locate in and/or invest in Jacksonville’s opportunity zone. Jacksonville is the perfect place to locate your business. It has immediate access to several major interstates, railway access, and airway access, making transportation of products easier for businesses. It is also located within a day’s drive to some of the U.S.’s major manufacturers such as Chicago, Indianapolis, Kansas City...

Jacksonville has an Enterprise Zone Dedicated to Boosting Economic Growth in the Area

Monday, July 06, 2020

Jacksonville, IL, has an enterprise zone dedicated to boosting economic growth in the area. State and local incentives are available for businesses that are located in Jacksonville. State incentives include several tax exemptions. This includes an exemption on the state utility tax on electricity and natural gas. Local incentives also include tax exemptions as well as other resources for businesses. Jacksonville is perfect for businesses that are looking for a location to build or expand. The Jacksonville Region’s enterprise zone is an opportunity for businesses to succeed and help boost the economy. Click here to learn more about our enterprise zon...

Jacksonville Region Has Exceptional Transportation Options

Monday, June 29, 2020

The Jacksonville Region, located in western Illinois, has exceptional roadway access making it easier for businesses to succeed. Located on I-72, Jacksonville is located near some of the United States' biggest manufacturing cities, including Chicago, Indianapolis, Kansas City, and St. Louis. Jacksonville is just miles away from other major Interstates. Being located by so many major interstates and highways can help businesses who frequently need supplies delivered. It can also help businesses who are shipping out products a lot. Jacksonville also has railway access and a municipal airport. If your business could benefit from these transportation options, click here and lear...

Jacksonville Businesses are at the Heart of Midwest Industry

Monday, June 22, 2020

Jacksonville businesses are at the heart of the American Midwest industry. Jacksonville, IL, is located in the perfect place for businesses who are looking for a convenient location. Jacksonville has the benefit of being located where there is easy roadway access to other major cities. The Jacksonville Region is within one day’s drive of major manufacturing cities Chicago, Indianapolis, Kansas City, and St. Louis. I-72 runs right through Jacksonville and it is in close proximity to several other major Interstates. Jacksonville’s location also makes it easier for customers to find your business. Click here to learn more about Jacksonville’s location an...

Community Profiles of Jacksonville and Its Surrounding Counties

Monday, June 15, 2020

Community profiles of Jacksonville, IL, and its surrounding counties are now available on our website. Jacksonville’s Regional Economic Development Corporation (JREDC) offers site selectors and business owners looking for a new location in-depth demographic information. This is meant to help site selectors get to know the area better and find the right place for their business to be located. Our city and county profiles provide detailed demographic information. This includes up to date demographics on the population, housing & income, the workforce, target industries, educational statistics, and commute information. Click here to view the profiles for Jacksonville and its surrounding counties.

Search Through Available Sites in Jacksonville

Monday, June 08, 2020

Search through available sites in Jacksonville, IL, using our free online LocationOne Real Estate tools. Our LocationOne database allows site selectors and business owners to search through our list of available sites in the area. The online database gives site selectors detailed information on every available site making it easier for them to find the right site for their business needs. This system gives in-depth information on every available site including the address, acreage information, and lease or sale price. Users can also utilize the advanced search options and view a map of available sites. Click here to search available site...

COVID-19 Will Remake How We Work and Live

Monday, June 01, 2020

Generally speaking, everyone resists change. Especially sudden change. But Covid-19 changed all that. Friday rolled around and we were told to grab-your-stuff and go home and no one knew when we would be back. You hear people say, “When things go back to normal…” Well, will things really go back to normal? We’ve learned new techniques, new ways to do things differently when working together digitally. Perhaps we will not return to the old ways. Read full article.

Find Available Buildings in Jacksonville, IL

Monday, June 01, 2020

Find available buildings in Jacksonville, IL, using the LocationOne Real Estate System and find the best property for your business needs! Our LocationOne system offers in-depth information on every available building in Jacksonville. This includes the address, what type of building it is, whether it is for sale or lease, and sale price. The advanced search tool makes it very simple for site selectors to narrow their search to find the right building. This online system makes it easy for site selectors and business owners to make an informed decision on which available building would best fit their business needs. Clic...

Potential Shifts in the Workforce Due to COVID-19

Monday, June 01, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is already causing shifts in the economy and workforce. Other than the obvious loss of employment, some of which will hopefully be temporary, another significant shift in the workforce involves employees in the professional services sector and others forced to work remotely from home. Although companies allowing employees to work remotely was already a growing trend in the United States, the question will be whether this trend continues after COVID-19 is under control. And, if the trend does continue, which is likely, consideration for incentives for home-based or remote employees will also have to be considered fro...

Resiliency of Supply Chains & Post-Pandemic Opportunities for FDI

Monday, June 01, 2020

Disruption of supply chains and the prospects of reshoring to the U.S. are not unique to the spread of the coronavirus and related pandemic. As is well-documented, the development of global supply chains over time has provided cost-competitiveness to many companies. However, as we have witnessed rising offshore wages and operating costs, increased lead times, a lack of consistency in product quality, and a move toward more protectionist trade policies, many of our clients have for some time been assessing these mounting global supply chain risks vis-à-vis any cost-competitiveness that they once produced. The COVID-19 disruption will accelerate these analyse...

Search Employment Opportunities in Jacksonville!

Monday, May 25, 2020

Search employment opportunities in Jacksonville, IL, and find a job that’s right for you! Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation’s (JREDC) website features a list of the current job openings in the region. Sift through our current job openings by publishing date, title, company name, or category. We also offer a featured list of job openings in the area. Every job listed tells you if the job is full-time or part-time, what type of pay and compensation the job offers, level of education needed, and where the job is located. Click here to learn more about the employment opportunities in Jacksonville!

ILMO Products Company Shows That Jacksonville, IL is A Great Place for Business

Friday, November 20, 2020

Shopping in Jacksonville

Monday, August 24, 2020

News and Media

Jacksonville Fast Facts