Prairie State Wire

Governor JB Pritzker, alongside Vermilion Advantage and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), announced that Vermilion Advantage has received an $80,000 federal grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration's Local Technical Assistance program. Vermilion Advantage is a non-profit organization that serves as both a chamber of commerce and an economic development agency for Danville and Vermilion County.

"Illinois is committed to investing in projects that leverage that strengthen economic development opportunities while creating jobs," stated Governor JB Pritzker. "Thanks to organizations like Vermilion Advantage, and support from the Federal Grant Support Program, businesses in Vermilion County will benefit for years to come from the recruitment plan created through this initiative."

To enhance their federal application, Vermilion Advantage secured a $10,000 investment from DCEO via the Federal Grant Support Program and contributed an additional $10,000 of local funding. The total $100,000 planning project aims to develop a strategy for economic recovery and resilience focused on business recruitment and retention efforts in Vermilion County, including workforce development in Danville. This strategy will involve assessing current economic conditions, conducting industry analysis, evaluating workforce skills, planning targeted outreach strategies, and recommending industrial site developments.

"Vermilion Advantage is excited about our partnership with TPMA on the East Voorhees Redevelopment Study. This is a critical first step in building a solid plan for the revitalization of East Danville. We start from this point by creating our new economy of the future," said Mike Marron, President of Vermilion Advantage.

"DCEO's Federal Grant Support Program continues to give Illinoisans a competitive advantage to secure federal funding that will support Illinois communities," commented DCEO Director Kristin Richards. "The State of Illinois is investing in Vermilion Advantage's plans to create new jobs and economic opportunity for families in Vermilion County."

The project will focus on data collection and analysis across the county with special attention given to Danville's East Voorhees Street corridor—a historically industrial area—aiming at fostering future industrial development there.

"As a strong partner in Vermilion Advantage's work to strengthen the local economy, I'm proud to see this important organization receive critical grant funding," remarked Senator Paul Faraci (D-Champaign). "The community in Vermilion County will greatly benefit from Vermilion Advantage's plans to support the business environment by boosting economic recovery and resilience."

The Local Technical Assistance program by the Economic Development Administration aims at bridging knowledge gaps that hinder decision-making on local economic issues within distressed areas.