News and Media

September is Workforce Development Month — a month designed to remind elected officials, businesses and other organizations about the importance of workforce development programs and opportunities. Whether you are a business owner looking to recruit, hire and retain talent, or you are a job seeker looking to change or advance your career, the Jacksonville region offers incredible opportunities and resources to help you succeed.   State and Community ResourcesThe Illinois Job Link is a free service that provides a range of tools to job seekers, employers and training providers. Illinois workNet is a workforce development portal that provides seamless access to a variety...

If you want to gain a competitive edge in the race to hire talent, you may want to consider doing what many American workers have already done: Move out of the big city. What many thought was just a blip during the COVID-19 pandemic — people fleeing big cities for the open space of suburbs, exurbs and rural small towns — has turned into a long-term trend. Read the complete article from Site Selection Magazine here.   

If you are a business owner in Jacksonville, Illinois, you need to know about Enterprise Zones (EZs) or you may be leaving money on the table. Many people are unaware they qualify for tax abatements. In the broadest terms, EZs are geographic areas in which companies can qualify for a variety of benefits. The intent is to encourage businesses to stay, locate or expand in an EZ to catalyze community revitalization.  A misconception hindering the utilization of EZs is that the benefits are only for new projects and expansions. However, remodeling and repurposing endeavors can also be eligible...

As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Business-Cooperative Service Administrator Dr. Karama Neal today announced that USDA is making $21 million in technical assistance grants available through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses access federal funds for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. Read the complete article from the U.S. Department of Agriculture here.