Press Releases

Springfield, IL – The Illinois Development Council (IDC) held its 2010 Annual Conference at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Bloomington/Normal, IL on July 14-16. At this year’s conference Kim Uhlig, Business Development Director for the Morton Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council was elected Vice Chairman of IDC.

July 8, 2010 - Morton, IL - The Morton Economic Development Council is seeking proposals for the creation of a Downtown Development Plan for our Village.  Firms and consultants interested in responding can download the Request for Proposal below.  The timeline for the RFP is as follows (also indicated in the RFP):
07/26 - Pre-Proposal Meeting at 8:00 A.M. at the Morton EDC Office
07/30 - Requests for clarification and/or additional information due by 5:00 P.M. to the Morton EDC
08/13 - Proposals due by 5:00 P.M. to the Morton EDC

July 1, 2010 - Morton, IL - The Launch Business Creation Competition was started in 2009 by area Chambers, Economic Development Councils, and Business Assistance Centers as a way to spur business development in Central Illinois.  “Our ability to successfully support entrepreneurs and help them develop, launch, and grow innovative businesses in our region is critical to the healthy growth of our local economy,” said Jennifer Daly, CEO for the Morton Economic Development Council.  “We were proud to help develop the Launch program last year and are excited about the larger prize packa

Monday evening, Morton Village Trustees approved the establishment of the new Morton Business District.  The District, which covers the majority of the commercial businesses in Morton, will have an increased sales tax of .25% beginning July 1, 2010, which will generate an annual fund of over $400,000 for district improvements.  Funds will be used for infrastructure improvements, property purchases, building and site improvements, and streetscaping.  A Commission appointed by the Village Trustees will make recommendations to the Village Trustees for funding allocations.  "This is long-range,

January 12, 2010 - Morton, IL:  Today, the Morton Economic Development Council recognized Katie VandenBerg as the 2010 Morton Venture Award Winner during their Annual Investor Appreciation Luncheon at the Ashland House in Morton.  VandenBerg, owner of Eli's Coffee Shop on Jefferson Street in Morton is a young entrepreneur with a successful and growing enterprise in Morton's downtown district.

January 4, 2010 - Morton, IL - At the Village Council Meeting today, Jennifer Daly, CEO for the Morton Economic  Development Council requested permission from the Morton Village Trustees to move forward with the establishment of a Business District in the commercial areas of Morton.  The district would include a ¼% increase in sales tax, making Morton’s sales tax 7% instead of 6.75%, and would generate approximately $400,000 per year for district improvements.

January 4, 2010 - Morton, IL - At the Village Council Meeting today, Jennifer Daly, CEO for the Morton Economic Development Council; Jeff Keach, Architect and Owner of Keach Architectural Designs; and Bruce Brown, Landscape Designer with The Farnsworth Group presented building façade and streetscape design options created by local designers for Morton’s downtown. 

“Morton’s Comprehensive Plan makes it clear that a renovation and upgrade of our downtown district is a priority to our citizens,” said Daly.  “These drawings are a first step to helping us create that new vision.”

The Morton Economic Development Council recently welcomed Morton Buildings as a new investor.  Morton Buildings has been a part of the Morton community for over 100 years. Founded in 1903 as the Interlocking Fence Company, Morton Buildings core function was to sell fencing by mail order to farmers. The business transitioned to machine storage buildings under the direction of Henry Getz and is consider today as  America’s leader in post-frame construction.

Jennifer Daly, CEO and Executive Director for the Morton Economic Development Council, was recently recognized by Peoria Magazine as one of their 40 Leaders Under 40.  "I am honored to serve the community of Morton and to be included in the 40 Leaders Under 40, a talented group that I admire," said Daly.  "I want to thank Mayor Norm Durflinger and the members of the Morton EDC Board of Directors for the nomination and Peoria Magazine for the regcognition."

Article written by Maggie Overfelt for CNN
The last time we wrote about Peoria, investors had pledged nearly $2 billion toward renewable energy ventures, and city officials were launching government-funded programs to help foster green growth.