The Whiteside Carrol Enterprise Zone (WCEZ) will host two Enterprise Zone Informational meetings in December 2018. Each meeting will present local businesses with information about this local business incentive and how it can assist businesses in their expansion or location in Whiteside and Carroll Counties. Sessions will explain what the Enterprise Zone is; what the benefits are; who qualifies; the application process. Questions will be addressed. The meetings will be held on
- Tuesday, December 18, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., in the Whiteside County Law Enforcement Center
- Wednesday, December 19, from from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., at the Carroll County Courthouse.
To register for one of these Enterprise Zone Informational Meetings, please contact the Whiteside County Economic Development Department at econdev@whiteside.org, or call Sandy Prescott at 815-772-5182. Please indicate which meeting you plan to attend.
According to Gary Camarano, WCEZ Administrator, “The Whiteside Carroll Enterprise Zone has shown itself to be one of the Region’s most effective local incentives, in attracting investment and retaining and creating jobs…. Since 2000, the Whiteside Carroll Enterprise Zone has assisted 469 projects, attracted $414,630,240 in investment, and helped retain and create 8076 jobs. We want to reach out to the business community and provide information to them on this incentive, and [illustrate] how it could assist in business expansions or locations.”
The City of Sterling’s Mayor Skip Lee said, “The Enterprise Zone has had a significant effect on the local economy of not only the municipality where a project occurs, but on the whole Region. A job created by a project in Sterling, or Rock Falls, or Savanna, IL, is a job open to anyone in our Region. For example, a project like 2006’s Walmart Distribution Center today directly has created 740 jobs, currently has over 100 open positions, and, indirectly, has created an additional 240 jobs at other employers–jobs that are filled by workers from all over our Region. The Enterprise Zone is a powerful tool in strengthening our local and regional economy. I encourage businesses thinking about locating or expanding in the Region to explore the Enterprise Zone incentives.”
Camarano added, “The Whiteside Carroll Enterprise Zone has helped businesses large and small, local or headquartered outside the Region, and involved in industrial, commercial, or retail ventures. It is a very easy application process….Our office is there to assist by answering any questions. The WCEZ has definitely proven its worth to our business partners.”