![](media/image1.jpeg){width="5.531944444444444in"
height="0.8215277777777777in"}

 

  ---------------------------------------------------- --------------------- -------------------------------------
  ![](media/image2.gif){width="0.4166666666666667in"   Annual Report         
  height="0.42569444444444443in"}                                            

  ---------------------------------------------------- --------------------- -------------------------------------

**Warren County Champion Community**

**Lead Entity: Western Illinois Economic Development Partnership**

**Demographics**\
 

*State:* IL

*Counties: Warren County, IL*\
*Community Population: 18,735*\
*Poverty Rate:* Families Below Poverty Level -- 6.8%

Individuals Below Poverty Level -- 9.2%

*Net Land Area:* 543 square miles

**Background: (Warren County)**

-   Unemployment rate: 6.5% (Based on August 2008 rate, Il. Dept of
    Employment Security)

-   Median Household Income: \$ 36,224 (1999 dollars)

-   Per Capita Income: \$ 16,946 (1999 dollars)

 

**Community Overview:**

 

The Warren County IL Champion Community (WCICC) is located in west
central Illinois just 45 minutes both south of the Quad Cities and west
of Peoria, Ill., the Warren County area provides an attractive
alternative for companies and families who want to escape the rigors of
an urban environment. The entire area blends small-town advantages with
metropolitan accessibility through the strong social capital amenities
present in the County. Warren County serves as a hub for the bi-state
region with strong infrastructure to carry goods and services throughout
the country with interstate-quality highway access to I-74, U.S. Route
34, and IL Highway 67. Access roads, BNSF rail connections, and river
terminals are all key access points available in this region to better
serve business and industry. In addition, a high quality workforce
serves to create a pro-business climate. Local companies with facilities
in the area include Monsanto, Heat & Control, Fusion Tech Integrated,
Inc., Alexis Fire Equipment, Envision Boats, Farmland Foods, IMI
Cornelius, and Wells Pet Food.

The WCICC was formed by a group of grassroots community members that are
interested in improving the economic health of the Monmouth/Warren
County area. By focusing on four core programs the WCICC will work with
local resources and partners to coordinate efforts to attract and retain
businesses. New regional collaborations have been incorporated and
existing regional partnerships have been strengthened.

**Strategic Plan Highlights:  **

Core program areas include:

-   Business retention and expansion

> Developed a formal business retention and expansion program to service
> Warren County businesses.

-   New business attraction and development

> Developed a successful wind energy project which has attracted a major
> wind farm to Warren County; besides also coordinating other wind
> development projects throughout the county and region.

-   Community improvement and program oversight/investor relations.

> Created a "Leaders in Warren County" business appreciation awards
> program to recognize those businesses and community leaders who
> contribute to the local economy.

 **Leveraging:**

The WCICC will seek financial leveraging from federal, state and local
government, banks, organizations and non-profits. In-kind and technical
assistance will be received from local groups, colleges, organizations
and individuals.  

 

  --------------------- -------------------------------------------------
  **Contact:**          Jolene Willis \[Executive Director, Western
                        Illinois Economic Development Partnership

  **Address:**          88A Public Square, Ste 2

                        Monmouth, IL 61462

  **Telephone:**        \(309\) 734-4253

  **Fax:**              \(309\) 734-8811

  **Email:**            <jwillis@wiedp.org>
  --------------------- -------------------------------------------------

WIEDP Website: [www.wiedp.org](http://www.wiedp.org/)

Warren County Government website:
[www.warrencountyil.com](http://www.warrencountyil.com/)