Economic development is about building a strong and self reliant community, responsive to citizen needs. Coordinating and making links between the community and other spheres of government in order to meet the needs of the community is essential.

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) contributes to effective economic development in America’s communities and regions through a locally-based, regionally-driven economic development planning process.  Economic development planning – as implemented through the CEDS – is not only a cornerstone of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) programs, but successfully serves as a means to engage community leaders, leverage the involvement of the private sector, and establish a strategic blueprint for regional collaboration. 

• 2017 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (North Central Illinois COG)
• 2017 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (South Central Illinois RP&DC)
• 2016 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (Bi-State Regional Commission)
• 2016 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (Western Illinois Regional Council)
• 2016 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (Southeastern Illinois RP&DC)

Community Development Block Grants
Regional councils and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) have a long-standing relationship to the state’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Illinois regional councils secure Community Development Block Grants worth millions annually to fund local activities and projects such as affordable housing, anti-poverty programs, and infrastructure development. The CDBG Program was established by the U.S. Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. The programs assists Illinois communities that do not receive a HUD direct entitlement allocation with meeting their greatest economic and community development needs. CDBG provides federal funding for community-based projects in non-metropolitan areas.