Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation FAQs

The Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation retains, expands, creates, and recruits job opportunities in Morgan and Scott Counties in Illinois. The organization has carried out this mission since 1964.
​
JREDC leads economic development strategy across the region. The team supports:
​

• Business attraction
• Business retention and expansion
• Business creation and entrepreneurship
• Workforce development coordination
• Property marketing and site support

JREDC convenes municipal leaders, county officials, utilities, educators, and private employers to align economic priorities across the region.

JREDC serves Morgan County and Scott County in west central Illinois. Jacksonville is the largest city in the region.
​
The region sits along Interstate 72, with access to Interstate 55 less than 30 miles to the east. This location places Jacksonville within:
​

• 90 miles of St. Louis
• 232 miles of Indianapolis
• 235 miles of Chicago
• 271 miles of Kansas City

This drive-time access enables manufacturers, distributors, and logistics companies to ship products across the Midwest within one day.

JREDC offers data, site support, incentive guidance, and confidential project assistance for existing and relocating companies.
​
Businesses can request:
​

• Available building and site data
• Labor market information
• Demographic reports
• Traffic counts and retail sales data
• Tax information
• Zoning guidance
• Utility coordination
• Introductions to state and federal partners

JREDC acts as a liaison with government agencies to streamline processes and clarify requirements for businesses.
 

JREDC maintains direct contact with employers to identify expansion plans, workforce gaps, infrastructure needs, and policy concerns.
​
Support may include:

• Enterprise Zone incentive coordination
• Property tax abatement guidance
• Sales tax exemption support
• Gap financing connections
• Workforce partner referrals

The Jacksonville Regional Enterprise Zone provides local and state incentives for qualifying projects. JREDC administers the local zone and assists with applications.
​
Local incentives may include:

• Property tax abatement on a sliding scale
• Support through Tax Increment Financing districts
• Revolving loan fund participation

State-level benefits may include:

• Sales tax exemption on building materials
• Utility tax exemptions
• Income tax credits under the Illinois EDGE Program

Projects must meet job creation or retention thresholds and investment requirements. JREDC guides applicants through the certification process.

The region offers industrial sites, commercial buildings, and redevelopment properties.
Examples include:

• Industrial acreage in Murrayville
• Riverfront land in Meredosia
• Industrial park property in Manchester
• Existing commercial and office buildings in Jacksonville and South Jacksonville

Property sizes range from modest commercial spaces to sites over 200 acres. JREDC maintains current listings and arranges property tours.

Target industries reflect regional strengths, workforce assets, and transportation access.
​
Priority sectors include:

• Agri-business
• Food processing
• Manufacturing
• Logistics and distribution
• Clean energy projects
• Health care
• Back office operations
• Small business development

The region’s agricultural base, central position, and highway network foster production and distribution.

The regional economy includes 812 businesses and 11,879 total employed workers. Key industry employment includes:
​

• Health care and social assistance with 2,633 workers
• Retail trade with 1,638 workers
• Educational services with 1,302 workers
• Manufacturing with 1,256 workers

Educational attainment includes:

• 3,877 high school graduates
• 792 associate degrees
• 2,251 bachelor’s degrees
• 764 graduate degrees

The Workers in the region average a 16-minute commute. Short commutes support labor stability and scheduling flexibility.

JREDC partners with Illinois College and Lincoln Land Community College to align training with employer needs.
​
Additional workforce partners include:

• Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
• Illinois Department of Employment Security
• Local workforce investment organizations

The JREDC employment page connects jobseekers and employers at no cost. Relocation incentives and targeted marketing support talent attraction initiatives.

Interstate 72 provides direct east-west access. U.S. Route 67 supports north-south movement. Interstate 55 connects the region to the Chicago and St. Louis corridors.
​
Freight capacity includes:

• 24 interstate motor freight carriers
• 8 intrastate carriers
• Three motor freight terminals

Fiber broadband now covers the entire region. Reliable high-speed internet fuels manufacturing, logistics, remote work, and digital services.

Residents enjoy outdoor recreation, cultural venues, and sports facilities.

Outdoor and recreation assets include:

• Lake Jacksonville
• Nichols Park
• Plum Creek Golf Course
• Future Champions Sports Complex
• Jacksonville Speedway

Annual events and college activities foster steady community engagement. Short travel times reduce congestion and improve daily convenience.

Businesses, site selectors, and investors can contact:
​
Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation
620 E. State Street
Jacksonville, IL 62650
Phone: (217) 479-4627

​Direct contact enables JREDC to deliver customized data and project assistance.