SPRINGFIELD – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced the expansion of the Decatur-Macon County Enterprise Zone to extend benefits to Brush College, LLC for the Progress City USA site. The site is the home to the bi-annual Farm Progress Show and is leased by Brush College, LLC, a subsidiary of Richland Community College. Plans for the site include development of permanent corporate structures and on-site labs associated with the Farm Progress Show.

“The Farm Progress Show is hailed as the ‘Superbowl’ of the agriculture industry. Our support of this enterprise zone expansion is one way we’re working to help Illinois’ agriculture industry continue to grow. This is also an example of how we are able to utilize a valuable economic tool to strengthen our economy, create good jobs and help to ensure the vitality of our rural communities,” said Governor Blagojevich. 

Enterprise Zones offer a number of state and local tax incentives to businesses that make investments to create or retain jobs in any of the 97 certified zones located in communities throughout the state.  The program is designed to stimulate economic growth and neighborhood revitalization in those areas of the state.

“By extending the enterprise zone to include Progress City, we’re opening the door to opportunities for permanent development of this site, which will result in increased economic growth. We’re also helping to further advance the agricultural industry in Illinois by creating greater access for agribusinesses to take advantage of the training and research opportunities available through partnerships with Richland Community College and other private entities,” said Sen. Frank Watson (R-Greenville).

“By expanding the enterprise zone we’re helping to facilitate opportunities for viable investments in this site and the City of Decatur, which is good for the economy and the people of this region,” said Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Jack Lavin. “The Farm Progress Show is about promoting innovation in agriculture, which is an important component of doing business in any sector. We will continue to work to spur innovation in the state and provide companies with the resources they need to continue investing in Illinois.”

The Farm Progress Show is the premier showcase of the latest farm equipment, products and services available to agriculture producers.  The event draws an estimated 300,000 visitors and generates more than $10 million each year for the local economy in sales from area restaurants and other service-oriented businesses.

J. Craig Coil, President of the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) of Decatur and Macon County, said, “Decatur’s history is intricately woven with those of some of the most prominent agribusiness ventures in the world.  The addition of this property, which is currently being utilized for the Farm Progress Show, into the Enterprise Zone will help continue this history by providing economic benefit to agribusiness endeavors for years to come.  This project showcases how public-private partnerships can work to support opportunities for increased economic development in the state.”

The agriculture industry is a vital part of the state’s economy. Illinois ranks second in the nation for corn and soybean production, with over 1.8 billion bushels of corn being produced and 482.2 million bushels of soybeans in 2006, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Macon County ranks in the top ten for the amount of corn yielded per acre (179 bushels) and the amount of soybeans yielded per acre (56 bushels). Corn production in Macon County generated $59.2 million, and soybean production generated $36.8 million for the economy in 2006.

Gov. Blagojevich’s Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois’ history.  Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn’t work, the Governor has divided the state into 10 regions – each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges.  Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses.  It is about upgrading the skills of the local workforce, increasing the access to capital, opening new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs.  Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of Illinois reach its economic potential.

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