Leaders in the Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone and other empowerment zones across the nation were singularly positioned to offer steady guidance to communities facing economic recession in 2008. Following the four principles of empowerment: strategic vision for change, community-based partnerships, economic opportunity and sustainable community development, leaders of the Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone (SIDEZ) continued to build on the strengths of their region and address its shortcomings. They continued to exercise careful stewardship of limited EZ grant funds to lay the groundwork for long term economic recovery and growth.

• Financing: As credit dried up at many lending institutions across the country, local banks and not-for-profits in the zone continued to finance new and expanding businesses. During 2008 SIDEZ made five new business loans valued at $215,000, creating or retaining twenty-five jobs. Since 2000, SIDEZ has provided $2.99 million in low interest financing to fifty-seven businesses.
• Community Clean-Up and Infrastructure Improvements: Community clean up remained a priority. With few other resources available for removing vacant blighted structures, communities used EZ grant funds to remove 150 eyesores. Over four hundred twenty blighted structures have been removed since 2001, making neighborhoods safer, preserving property values and preparing the way for redevelopment. Several economic development organizations purchased additional land and made site improvements to support business development. The Village of Ullin installed new water lines to serve a business locating in the Southern Illinois Stimulus Corporation (SISCO) Regional Industrial Park. The City of Vienna installed street lights in the Johnson County Industrial Park. Pulaski County Development Association renovated a commercial building to lease to a specialty seed producer. The City of Mounds purchased twelve acres to expand the South Mounds Commercial Centre. Pulaski County improved road access in an industrial park at Interstate 57, Exit 8, and First State Bank of Olmsted opened a new branch office in the industrial park.
• Technical Assistance: SIDEZ received two Rural Business Opportunity Grants totaling $160,000 from Delta Regional Authority for a Community Planning for Economic Growth initiative. Over 100 community members and elected officials attended four workshops to learn about available planning tools and processes. SIDEZ contracted with University of Illinois Extension to assist counties and municipalities in developing comprehensive plans. The Small Business Development Center at Shawnee Community College used RBOG funds from SIDEZ to employ a small business specialist to organize business workshops and conduct business retention visits. The Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs facilitated the placement of a VISTA Leader with SIDEZ to work on priority community development projects. Several projects started prior to 2008 were completed. Alexander County was taken off probation and admitted, in good standing, to the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
• Construction: The Family Counseling Center completed construction of Autumn Ridge, a 46-unit supported living facility in Vienna. The City of Cairo completed renovation of the Toll House building at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. The building will be used as a transportation and Civil War interpretive center. Johnson County constructed and furnished a new ambulance base.
• Surface and Air Transportation Projects: InterVISTAS, a consulting firm hired by the City of Cairo, completed a feasibility study for establishment of an intermodal transportation facility near Cairo. The study recommended a facility that would handle 20,000 twenty foot equivalent unit (TEU) containers per year. Alexander County received a $126,630 Rural Business Opportunity Grant to contract further with InterVISTAS to develop a business case for the facility and a recommended governance structure. Alexander County provided $50,000 EZ grant funds for design engineering for an Aviation Technologies Center to be constructed at Cairo Regional Airport. Shawnee Community College plans to establish the training facility in partnership with Southern Illinois University School of Aviation. With assistance from Rural Development, a consulting firm was hired to continue a feasibility study for establishment of an intermodal trans-loading facility. SIDEZ and RD participated in monthly teleconferences and meetings with the consultants. Representatives of SIDEZ and Alexander County conducted meetings between the consultants and prospective businesses and farmers that may benefit from the proposed facility. The study is nearing completion and presentations will be scheduled with rail, barge and trucking carriers.
• Plans for the Future: The SIDEZ had hoped for the approval of the Empowerment Zone and Renewal Community Enhancement Act of 2007. Although the Act which would have improved and extended tax incentives in the zones through 2015 was not approved, the SIDEZ leaders are developing a plan to sustain the empowerment zone initiative after zone designation ends in 2009. They are exploring new sources of earned income that will address critical community needs such as homeownership and credit counseling. Two fund-raisers are planned for 2009 to endow a $20,000 scholarship fund at Shawnee Community College to honor founding SIDEZ board member Willard Murrie. A Cookie Festival is planned for May 2, 2009 at Vienna City Park and a bicycle tour of Alexander County called Tour de Shawnee is scheduled for October 24, 2009.

*Disclaimer Notice

SIDEZ Summary Page    SIDEZ Funding Page 

Main Map    EZ/EC Home Page