Despite the COVID-19 pandemic that is currently gripping the world, Whiteside Carroll Enterprise Zone (WCEZ) posted increased activity in the second quarter of 2020. Seven new projects were approved, bringing the total number for the first half of the year to ten, with a total investment of $38.1 million, and 246 jobs created or retained. This compares favorably with 2019 full-year results, of $38.6 million, and 19 projects.
“These numbers are good,” said Gary Camarano, WCEZ Administrator. “They signify private sector economic activity is moving forward and will probably continue. The investment in the Enterprise Zone signifies new jobs and retained jobs, and confidence in the future. I know COVID-19 will pose many challenges for us, but I remain cautiously optimistic. We already have two projects in the approval process that will bring in an additional $9 million in investment. The Enterprise Zone pipeline also has ten projects in various phases that could happen this year.”
Ten approved projects are located in Fulton, Morrison, Prophetstown, Rock Falls, and Sterling, IL. Camarano added, “There are other projects going on outside of the Enterprise Zone as well, and many businesses are hiring. While we are all dealing with the pandemic, and [realizing] there is still a great deal of pain out there, there are positive things happening here, in our Northwest Illinois Region.”
The RB&W District in Rock Falls has seen Enterprise Zone activity, with the completion of the Holiday Inn Suites, (pictured below) the McCormick Banquet and Event Center, and another hotel project scheduled to break ground in the near future. The City also has established a riverside park with band shell and sculpture park.
Businesses interested in learning more about the Whiteside Carroll Enterprise Zone and other programs offered by Whiteside County Economic Development and its partners should contact ecodev@whiteside.org for more information or visit wwww.nwIllinoisadvantage.com.
