Illinois State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Champaign) said on April 7 that state funding directed toward infrastructure projects in Crawford County will support business attraction and job creation in downstate Illinois.
The announcement highlights the allocation of resources to develop a new industrial park, which officials say is intended to prepare the area for future economic opportunities. Rose issued the statement through an announcement on his official website regarding the allocation of state funding to support economic development efforts in Crawford County. The grant will facilitate the purchase of 123 acres of land to establish a new industrial park as part of the Regional Site Readiness Program. This program assists communities with preparing sites for potential industrial use and business relocation. The effort aligns with ongoing state initiatives to enhance local readiness for economic projects across Illinois regions, according to Rose’s official website.
“This investment puts Crawford County in a strong position for future growth. These are your local taxpayer dollars coming back to strengthen our community and bring more jobs. Developing a new industrial park ensures we have development-ready land available when businesses are looking to expand or relocate. I will continue pushing for investments that create real opportunities for families and workers in our district,” Rose said, according to his official statement.
Data from economic profiles show Crawford County employs 8,187 people with growth of 1.25 percent in the employed population over the prior year. The county reports a median household income of $71,674 which rose six percent in the same period. Manufacturing serves as a leading industry alongside health care and educational services. Unemployment in the county registered 4.8 percent according to federal labor statistics, as reported by Data USA.
The Illinois Regional Site Readiness Program supplies grants to local entities for preparing sites to attract businesses and generate employment. Recent rounds have distributed tens of millions in funding across the state’s economic development regions to support infrastructure improvements on underutilized land. The initiative forms part of a broader state commitment to ready locations for industrial expansion and investment. Such programs help communities position themselves to compete for new opportunities as reported by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Rose has served as State Senator for the 51st District since 2013 following prior terms in the Illinois House of Representatives from 2003 to 2013. Before entering the legislature Rose worked as a Senior Assistant State’s Attorney in Champaign County prosecuting felony crimes. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a law degree both from the University of Illinois. Rose resides in Mahomet with his wife and their four children, according to his biography.
