National Trust Main Street Center

The National Trust Main Street Center is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In the 1970s, the National Trust developed its pioneering Main Street approach to commercial district revitalization, an innovative methodology that combines historic preservation with economic development to restore prosperity and vitality to downtowns and neighborhood business districts. Read about it below:

http://www.mainstreet.org/

IMEC Launches Next Generation Manufacturing Study

A ground breaking research study to assess the progress of state’s manufacturers in adopting strategies to win in the global economy was launched by IMEC. [Full Story]

Employer Training Grant Funds Announcement

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (IDCEO) is pleased to announce the availability of Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP) grant funds. [Full Story]

Governor Pat Quinn launched Recovery.Illinois.gov, a website created to help ensure that Illinois takes full advantage of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act.

The new website will help Illinois governments, businesses, and organizations with their stimuls requests.

http://recovery.illinois.gov/

http://www.pjstar.com/homepage/x426338546/Quinn-launches-Ill-stimulus-plan-Web-site

Free Publications

The law firm of ANCEL, GLINK, DIAMOND, BUSH, DICIANNI & KRAFTHEFER, P.C. publishes a number of documents of use to practitioners in local government.

These are available on line and are free. Such A DEAL !!

The AncelGlink Library

AncelGlink publishes many documents about govermental law issues. You may download many of them in our publications section. Featured articles include:

  1) The 2009 Newly-Elected Officials Guide
  2) Municipal Questions and Answers
  3) Labor Law Handbook for Small Governments (including "Collective Bargaining for Small Governments")
  4) Illinois Tort Immunity Handbook
  5) Zoning Administration Handbook
  6) Zoning Administration Tools of the Trade
  7) Municipal Annex Handbook
  8) Economic Development Toolbox for Municipal Officials
  9) Lien on Me: Municipal Debt and Expenditure Recovery Procedures
  10) Ten Things You Need To Know About Fourteen Local Governmental Issues

http://ancelglink.com/

Questions & Answers About the Recession

The Heartland Partnership recently held a press conference to release information including a comparison of the December 2008 unemployment rate of the Peoria MSA to other communities across the nation, employment and unemployment rates from the 1970’s to today, and current distribution of employment by industry sector of the Peoria MSA. Read about it on the link below:

http://www.edc.centralillinois.org/news/questions-answers-about-recession

BUILD AMERICA

Proposal

Federal Government Guarantee

Municipal Bonds For Infrastructure Stimulus

This is the year for municipalities, school districts, and other governments to build major capital projects. We need the economic stimulus and jobs. Contractor prices and interest rates will be low. A great way to stimulate our economy.

We propose that the Federal Government guarantee municipal bonds in 2009 to get the market moving again. The plan is to encourage local governments to borrow money to improve needed roads, sewer & water, curbs and sidewalks, schools, and other important infrastructure. Put America back to work. Build America now.

The goal is to help communities stay vital and not slip into an irreversable decline. Schools and community infrastructure are critical to supporting home values and stemming the declines we have seen in recent years.

Most local governments have a backlog of needed public infrastructure improvements. With support and encouragement from the Federal government, we could have major local programs underway soon.

This should be a very simple and low cost way to stimulate substantial public works expenditures this year.

It's Better Here

Davis Brothers Pizza in East Peoria and Peoria Heights.

The owners called to ask about the Peoria economy, wondering what is going on in Peoria to spark such an increase in their sales?

They are installing another oven to keep up with business in East Peoria. They are also now selling frozen pizzas out of their Peoria Heights store and shipping them out all over the country with tremendous success.

PlanningNews.blogspotcom