2020 Whiteside Carrol Enterprise Zone Informational Meetings

Published on Thursday, February 27, 2020 by Expansion Solutions Magazine

Morrison, IL — The Whiteside Carrol Enterprise Zone (WCEZ) will be hosting two Enterprise Zone information meetings in March to provide local businesses with information about the region’s most effective local business incentive, and how it can assist businesses in their expansion or location in Whiteside and Carroll Counties. The meetings will be held on March 5, 2020 from 9:00 – 10:30 AM in the Whiteside County EOC, ROOM 117, on the first floor of the courthouse, and on March 5, 2020 at the Carroll County Courthouse boardroom from 1:30 – 3:00 PM. The sessions will provide information on what the Enterprise Zone is, what the benefits are, who qualifies, an explanation of the application process, and answers to questions about the Enterprise Zone.

According to Gary Camarano, WCEZ Administrator, “The Whiteside Carroll Enterprise Zone has shown itself to be one of the region’s most effective local incentives in attracting investment, and retaining and creating jobs in the region. Since the year 2000, the Whiteside Carroll Enterprise Zone has assisted 488 projects, attracted $453,322,102.22 in investment, and helped in retaining and creating 8,526 jobs. We want to reach out to the business community and provide information to them on this incentive, and how it could assist in business expansions or locations.”

Economic activity in the Whiteside Carroll Enterprise Zone (WCEZ) picked up in 2019, with 19 projects and an investment of $38.6 million, up from 2018’s 13 projects with an investment of $10.5 million. The 2019 projects are on track to create over 450 jobs in the Whiteside Carroll Enterprise Zone. The new year is shaping up as a good one also, as 2020 has seen three projects approved for the Enterprise Zone, with another 12 in the pipeline.

Rock Falls Mayor Bill Wescott said, “The Enterprise Zone and other local incentives, have greatly contributed to the revitalization of the Rock Falls Riverfront. Our RB&W District has seen a hotel completed in 2016, a banquet hall/event center set to open in March of this year, and another hotel set to break ground this spring. Add the Best Cob relocation in the 30 West Industrial Park to the mix, and it’s easy to see what the Enterprise Zone has contributed to helping us grow our local economy.”

Mr. Camarano added, “The Whiteside Carroll Enterprise Zone has helped businesses large and small, local or headquartered outside the region, and involved in industrial, commercial or retail ventures. It is a very easy application process, and our office is there to assist by answering any questions. The WCEZ has definitely proven its worth to our business partners.”

To register for these Enterprise Zone Informational Meetings please contact the Whiteside County Economic Development Department at econdev@whiteside.org, or call Sandy Prescott at (815) 772-5182. Please indicate which meeting you plan on attending.