Welcome to

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Goreville, IL

We’re in the Heart of it ALL!

2012 Welcome to Goreville, IL Page 2 About Us Living We are a small, rural community in the heart of South- Goreville has ample opportunities for the whole fam- ern and the . We are ily. The home of Ferne Clyffe State Park, which is very proud of our community...our located ¼ mile south of the Village of Goreville, ac- schools, churches and local businesses. commodates over 250,000 visitors annually! (IDNR, From our Spring Fling, Fall Festival and 2010). Ferne Clyffe offers an abundance of ferns, 4th of July “Freedom Fest” and Fire- unique geological features and unusual plant commu- works to our excellent hunting and fish- nities. Ferne Clyffe also offers camping, picnicking, ing traditions, Goreville is full of great hiking, hunting, fishing and sightseeing. Citizens can activities for families of all ages and old fashioned also in enjoy the Shawnee National Forest with na- southern hospitality that will make you want to stay! tional attractions such as Heron Pond, Cave-in-Rock We invite you to come experience our scenic beauty an and Garden of the Gods just a short distance away. enjoy the peace and tranquility of our small town. Goreville is located between two award winning and growing wine trails. Location Location Location Our close proximity to two major interstate systems; Our close proximity to two major interstate systems; and 24 makes Goreville easily accessible Interstate 57, just west of town and , just from anywhere. Our citizens enjoy Police and Fire east of town, makes Goreville easily accessible from protection, City water and sewer. Good schools, fam- anywhere. Over thirty thousand vehicles drive by ily owned businesses and great activities for families Goreville each day, along the of all ages. interstates. , Village Park the main thoroughfare through town, is a busy road- The Village Park is a source of community pride. way as well with an average The park offices baseball, bas- traffic of over 4,500 vehicles daily. ketball, youth soccer, youth

Helping our Friends and Neighbors football, skate boarding, play Helping our friends and neighbors when they are in ground equipment and a walk- need of help, is something that is second nature to us. Having benefit dinners and auctions (auctions in which ing path. The new play ground a red velvet cake sales for over $120) to help someone equipment is ADA approve. after an house fire or with medical expenses are just a small examples of how our community comes together when our friends and neighbors need help. Village of Goreville Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Page 3 To promote economic development, the Village of Goreville has created a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) dis- trict. Developers who plan to construct or renovate in a TIF district are able to receive some reimbursement for the development from dollars that would be paid to property taxing districts because of the increase valuation of the property with the improve- ments.

Goreville’s TIF districts are unique, in that we understand, what is good for the com- munity is good for the school and what is good for the school is good for the commu- nity. That is way the Goreville Community School District gets 10% of the TIF

To find out more or to receive a TIF information packet, contact the TIF administrator, Agnes Paul at the Vil- lage Hall at 618-995-2157 Interstate Attraction Signs Help Future Growth In order to help businesses within the Village limits of In June 2010, Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill au- Goreville, Illinois the Village is offering an incentive thorizing “Star Bonds” to be used to attract destination to local businesses. If they place attractions signs up type businesses to Marion. As a result, many large cor- along the interstate highways. The town will reim- porations will be attracted to Marion making naviga- burse the business up to $100.00 tion through the heavy traffic and congestion even an issue for our area. Therefore, due to the massive busi- Commercial Growth ness growth of the surrounding cities, it is anticipated The Village of Goreville offers one of the friendless that the Village of Goreville will also grow exponen- and most aggressive business climate in Southern Illi- tially in both residents and basic needs businesses and nois. Remington Plaza is an 8+ acres retail & office services and, thus, park, located south side of town along Broadway. become more than Remington Plaza is now home to Goreville Profes- just a bedroom sional Pharmacy, The Old Home Place Restaurant and community. That is a Dollar General Store. Fu- why in 2008, the ture plans call for a Rural Village of Goreville Heath Clinic, another restau- passed the most aggressive TIF Program available and rant and more retail and of- is extremely aggressive in attracting businesses to fices. In addiction the Village serve our community. is developing plans to ex- panded out to both Interstate 57 & 24. Combined over thirty thousand vehicles drive by Goreville each day, along the interstate highways .

Goreville Community Unit School District Page 4

The local school district, Goreville Community Unit School District #1 is one of the few growing districts in and covers approximately 68 square miles in northern Johnson County as well as northeastern Union County. The school district houses over 650 stu- dents (a 13% increase from 2009) in grades Pre-K through twelve and employs over 100 staff (not including Head Start faculty and staff, JAMP Special Education faculty and staff, substitute teachers, parent volunteers, etc). The school district is comprised primarily of the communities of Tunnel Hill, Lake of Egypt, and the Village of Gore- ville and has consistently been ranked as one of the top five schools in the Region both academically and financially (Regional Office of Education 02, 2009).

The Village of Goreville and the Tunnel Hill areas of the district have approximately 2,000 residents while the Lake of Egypt community has approximately 10,000 residents (Johnson and Williamson Counties)

Population Your Dream Home According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Goreville had a total Goreville has ample opportunities for home population of 1,049. Which is up 111 citizens from the 2000 owners. From subdivision such as.. Trail U.S. Census. According to the 2000 Census, there were Ridge, Stone Creek over 13,000 residents in Johnson County alone, not to men- and the Peninsula (the tion the thousands of residents on the Williamson County biggest residential side of the Lake of Egypt. development in the Also of note, according to state as of 2012). voting records, the Gore- Public Transportation ville, Lake of Egypt, and Southern Most Area Rural Transit (S.M.A.R.T.) Tunnel Hill voting precincts has routes in the community. have a total of 2,123 regis- S.M.A.R.T. provides door through door and es- tered voters at or over the age of 55 – that is 70% of the total tablished route service. The fleet consists of lift senior population in Johnson County! (Johnson County -equipped and ramped vehicles, making the sys- Clerk, 2005). In fact, Johnson County is the ONLY County tem accessible to everyone. in Southern Illinois that has two (2) Senior Meals facilities; Door-through-Door: Simply put, this means that one in Southern Johnson County and one in Goreville that we will help you through your door and the services northern Johnson County due to the large concentra- door of the bus; then through the door of the bus tion of seniors in our area. The majority of residents work and the door of your scheduled drop. If you re- outside of the Goreville area. The primary occupation for Gore- quire extra assis- ville residents are commonly state positions such as Corrections tance, please request Officers, State Police Officers, and School Teachers while a transportation as- many others work in factories and businesses located in Marion, sistant when you Carbondale, and Paducah, Ky. schedule your trip. Freedom Fest Page 5 Is an annual event held on the 4th of July. Attacks over 4,000 people annually! The day con- sists of… a 5K race, Car Show, Parade, Free Concerts and lots more family entertainment. And of course one of the Biggest and best Fireworks displays in Southern Illinois!

Please come visit The Village of Goreville soon! .www.gorevilleillinois.com

Contact Information

Physical Address: 105 W. Collins St. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 16 Goreville, IL 62939 Phone: (618) 995-2157 Fax: (618) 995-1611