About Us


For those unfamiliar with the Foundation, it was created in November of 1994 as a Not-for-Profit corporation
designed to achieve the goals set forth below.

The past six months have been a productive period for the CEDF. Among its activities:

  • Of the five loans granted by the CEDF's Revolving Loan Fund, 2 have been repaid. A sixth loan has also been approved. The loan program is used exclusively to assist Ford County businesses.
  • A 100-million gallon Ethanol project continues to move forward after a favorable feasibility study. The CEDF coordinated assistance from Mary Holmes of the Rural Affairs Institute of Western Illinois University.
  • Development of residential property on the north end of Gibson City is moving ahead. New home construction should begin soon.
  • The Central Illinois Development Partnership has mailed information to over 500 commercial and industrial (C&I) real estate brokers in the Chicago area. The partnership, a consortium of nine Central Illinois economic development groups, including CEDF, has also developed a web site, www.developcentralil.com
  • The I-57 Corridor Group (an alliance between Will, Kaka, Iroquois, Ford and Champaign counties) is in the process of structuring a marketing plan.

Current Activities/Committees

Business and Industry Objective

Develop a countywide marketing package to attract businesses and professionals; distribute appropriate resource materials to business and industry; and develop a business retention and expansion program,

Housing Objective

Combine the resources of county financial institutions, realtors, and builders in assessing and improving the availability of affordable housing.

Retail Business Objective

Increase the volume of local retail sales and promote downtown revitalization.

Education and Work Force Training Objective

Develop and promote expanded adult education and job skills training to meet changing educational and employment needs of local businesses.

Working as a liaison between schools and businesses to encourage greater interaction and to provide information on job-related training and educational opportunities.

Health Care Objective

Improve the delivery of health care services to residents.

Tourism Objective

Identify and promote region wide tourism, cultural, and recreational opportunities.

Publishing quarterly FORD LINKS, an area-wide calendar of events, distributed locally and regionally.

Who We Are

A not-for-profit corporation comprised of interested citizens form greater Ford County. our volunteer board is a private/public partnership representing banks, utility companies, county and municipal governments, farms, business, industry, and public service.

Purpose

Promote a safe and healthy environment for residents, including increased educational, training and employment opportunities.

Goals

    • Create new jobs by attracting new businesses and strengthen existing businesses.
    • Improve the quality of life.
    • Develop a countywide marketing package to attract businesses and professionals; distribute appropriate resource materials to business and industry; and develop a business retention and expansion program.
    • Combine the resources of county financial institutions, realtors, and builders in assessing and improving the availability of affordable housing

With your continuing support, we will continue to achieve our goals.

Community & Economic Development Foundation
402 N. Sangamon Ave.
PO Box 425
Gibson City, IL 60936
217-784-4772
www.cedf.org


         
Supporters