Western Illinois Regional Council This report covers the time period August 1, 2014 through July 31, 2015 and relates to the goals set in the last full CEDS update in 2011. Included in this report are any adjustments to 2015 Comprehensive the Strategy which are minimal at this time, assets and Economic obstacles which continue to be a factor in economic development advances, progress on goals and anticipated goals Development Strategy for the next year. Progress Report Adjustments to the Strategy There have been minimal adjustments in the CEDS over the last year. Since the EDD completed its five year update with the submission of the 2011 document, and with the economic climate for this rural region continuing to experience a slow recovery from the economic downturn, there have been few changes. Economic Development Assets and Obstacles Regional assets were reviewed and continue to be current as follows: • Location. Western Illinois is located approximately equidistant between Chicago, St. Louis, and Des Moines, making the area a viable location for economic activities serving those areas. In addition, the area has both a demographic and geographic central location within the contiguous United States. With the drop in the price of fuel, the region's central location may help attract new economic activity to the area. 1 2015 CEDS PROGRESS REPORT • Rail Service. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Amtrak provide major railroad services. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe provides direct freight connections to Chicago, Kansas City, and Denver, with connector service to all parts of the United States. Amtrak passenger service is available from Macomb and Galesburg to Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The future of Amtrak service is currently under threat. • Water Resources. Emiquon Nature Preserve Source: http://www.thearmchairexplorer.com/illinois/emiquon -national-wildlife-refuge According to the Illinois State Water Survey, topographic and geological conditions in western Illinois are favorable for the development of additional reservoirs. Several large lakes and reservoirs currently exist in the region. Both Hancock County and Henderson County border the Mississippi River and Fulton County borders the Illinois River. Both rivers can provide unlimited amounts of water and should be utilized for economic development purposes to attract large volume water using industries to the region. The restoration of the Emiquon Nature Preserve in Fulton County, consisting of over 7,000 acres, will be a boon to both tourism and recreation in the region. • Agricultural Products. The value of farm products sold, mainly corn and soybeans, has increased dramatically over the last 20 years. The large amount of available agricultural products in the region may serve to attract business and industry that utilize these raw Figure 1 materials as part of their manufacturing process. In addition, because of the region’s high corn and Corn (bushels/acre) soybean yields per acre, ethanol, biodiesel and related industries may find the region attractive. 200 180 159.2 153.9 160 137.2 126.1 134.8 140 110.1 Bushels per acre in 120 102.2 every county in the 100 region have exceeded the average per county in the State of Illinois. 2 Source: 2012 Census of Agriculture, US Dept. of Agriculture WESTERN ILLINOIS REGIONAL COUNCIL Figure 2 Figure 2 Soybeans (bushels/acre) The six county region 54.3 55.1 averages 241.6 acres 46.8 48.9 49.2 of soybean production 60 42.1 41.6 per farm compared to 40 257.3 acres for the 20 State of Illinois. 0 Source: 2012 Census of Agriculture, US Dept. of Agriculture • Educational Level of the Population. The educational level of western Illinois residents compares very favorably with that of the state of Illinois and the nation. Business and industry requiring employees with higher levels of education will find this to be a positive factor for locating in the region. Figure 3 – Western Illinois Education Attainment Levels Graduate or Western Illinois Education Professional Degree Attainment Less than 4th Grade 7% Bachelor's 4% Western Degree Illinois has a 12% 2% higher Associate's average than Degree 9th to 12th the State of 9% Grade, No Illinois in High School Diploma Some College, individuals Graduate 9% with No Degree 37% 22% Associate’s degrees. Source: 2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, US Census Bureau 3 2015 CEDS PROGRESS REPORT Figure 4 – Illinois State Education Attainment Levels Illinois has a Illinois Education Attainment Less than 4th higher Graduate or percentage Grade Professional of Graduate 6% Degree and 12% 9th to 12th Bachelor’s Grade, No Bachelor's degrees than Diploma Degree western 19% High School 7% Illinois Graduate mainly due 28% to larger Some College, metropolitan No Degree 21% areas that Associate's attract these Degree individuals. 7% Source: 2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, US Census Bureau • Trained Labor Force. Because the region is the site of Western Illinois University, Spoon River College, Carl Sandburg College, Knox College, Monmouth College, and the West-Central Illinois Area Vocational Center, the area has a highly trained labor force. Because of the level of unemployment, the region has a large available trained work force not presently being utilized. This, coupled with a number of federal and state programs being available to provide financial assistance to business and industry to train and employ lower income individuals, is a significant asset for possible job creation and business growth. • Historical Significance and Natural Beauty. The historical significance and natural beauty of the region should serve as a catalyst for the development of recreational activities and tourism. From the restored Mormon settlement at Nauvoo, to the beauty of the Illinois and Mississippi river valleys, to the fishing and boating opportunities of the many lakes and streams, the region has the necessary ingredients to become a major recreational destination in the State of Illinois. Nauvoo Temple Source: http://www.josephsmithacademy.org/wiki/nauvoo -temple/ • Strong Financial Institutions. Western Illinois financial institutions have large holdings, which should guarantee a relatively substantial local private investment in any type of economic expansion. 4 WESTERN ILLINOIS REGIONAL COUNCIL • Adequate Educational Facilities. The public and private educational facilities in and around the region are second to none. Western Illinois University, Monmouth College, Knox College, Spoon River College, Carl Sandburg College, and the West-Central Illinois Vocational Center are responsible for the large number of highly educated people in the region's population. Many types of vocational training programs are available at these facilities. All of these education institutions are willing to work with commercial or industrial firms in designing a vocational training program suited to their particular needs. In reviewing obstacles, it was felt that the following continue as constraints on development in the region: • Road Network. While there have been some road improvements in recent years, the road system in western Illinois continues to be of concern. The region is served by one interstate highway, and the existing federal and state road system is basically inadequate and with some roads in need of repair. Within the last 10 years, Illinois Route 336 was completed from Quincy to Macomb. Funds need to be allocated by the state and federal governments to complete the Route 67 four-lane expansion from the Quad Cities to St. Louis and the four-lane expansion of Route 336 from Macomb to Peoria. The Biggsville bypass, part of the four lane expansion of Route 34 between Gulfport and Monmouth, was completed in December 2014. Funding to complete the remaining sections of the four-lane roadway has not been allocated. Current proposal for the highway 336 expansion from Macomb to Peoria as determined by Illinois Department of Transportation’s Environmental Impact Study. The project has ended Phase 1 and is in need of money to begin purchasing land for construction in the preferred alignment. Source: www.336coalition.org 5 2015 CEDS PROGRESS REPORT • Air Service. There is currently no regularly scheduled commercial air service to and from the region; however, both Macomb and Galesburg do offer on-demand commercial air services. Galesburg, Canton and Macomb airports can accommodate small commercial and private jets while Monmouth airport, due to the length of the runway, cannot. Private charter services are available in the region for travel to larger airports and commercial hubs such as Peoria, Bloomington, Quincy, Quad Cities, Burlington, Chicago, and St. Louis or travel to locations throughout the country. • Housing. The majority of housing units in the region were constructed prior to 1940. The region also has a large number of vacant units. Many of the region’s housing units are either dilapidated or deteriorating and are desperately in need of repair. The dilapidated condition of the existing housing stock, the large number of vacant units, and the relatively small amount of new construction of both single and multiple family units in recent years have all contributed to a lack of adequate housing in the region. Figure 5 – Vacant Housing Units by County for the Six County Region Combined, the region has seen a 4% increase in vacant housing from 2010 to 2013. The only counties to have an increase in vacancy rates are Knox and McDonough. Source: 2006-2010 and 2009-2013 American Community Survey, US Census Bureau 6 WESTERN ILLINOIS REGIONAL COUNCIL • Fire Protection. Macomb, Monmouth, Galesburg, and Canton are the only communities in the region that have paid fire protection personnel. Most other communities have volunteer fire departments or are members of fire protection districts. With a majority of the communities being protected by a volunteer force, fire protection may not be adequate in most small communities and rural areas of the region to support larger economic development projects.