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“The Enterprise Zone is available to
help all types of businesses – small
to large, new or existing, home
grown or a relocation, industrial or
retail or commercials, and its
proven itself to be a very effective
incentive.”

Gary Camarano, Administrator
Whiteside Carroll Enterprise Zone (WCEZ)

Whiteside Carroll Enterprise Zone investment up significantly

Economic activity in the Whiteside Carroll Enterprise Zone two entrepreneurs, and has now expanded to over 500,000
(WCEZ) picked up in 2019, with 19 projects and an investment of square feet here with soon to be 1,000 employees in Illinois. The
$38.6 million, up from 2018’s 13 projects with an investment of local business friendly environment, and incentives like the
$10.5 million. The 2019 projects are on track to create over 450 Enterprise Zone, have contributed to this growth.”
jobs in the Whiteside Carroll Enterprise Zone. The Enterprise The Enterprise Zone provides businesses building new
Zone is the region’s most effective local incentive, with facilities, or renovating existing facilities, with local tax abate-
$453.3 million invested in 488 projects, creating and retaining ments, and sales tax exemptions on building materials, which
8,526 jobs between 2000 and 2019. lowers the cost of building profitable job creating and retaining
The 2019 projects included a variety of size and type, including businesses.
HALO Branded Solution’s $25 million expansion and a small retail Camarano added, “Businesses looking to build or expand
expansion of $41,000. According to Gary Camarano, WCEZ should call the Enterprise Zone Office prior to starting a project to
Administrator, “The Enterprise Zone is available to help all types see if their property is in the zone, and to get an estimate of the
of businesses – small to large, new or existing, home grown or a potential savings they could achieve. Those savings can often be
relocation, industrial or retail or commercial, and its proven itself the deciding factor in moving ahead with a project, or perhaps
to be a very effective incentive.” allowing for additional expansion of the project. As part of our
As a department of Whiteside County Illinois, the WCEZ proactive EZ outreach, our office will be holding two informational
collaborates with Federal, State and Local partners in Northwest meetings in Whiteside and Carroll Counties on February 19, 2020
Illinois to create the conditions for economic growth and improved (place and time to be announced). We hope to engage and
quality of life. educate businesses as to the benefits of the Enterprise Zone
Rock Falls Mayor Bill Wescott said, “The Enterprise Zone and incentives, the ease of the application process, and answer any
other local incentives, have greatly contributed to the revitalization questions. This is an effective tool to help businesses grow here in
of the Rock Falls Riverfront. Our RB&W District has seen a hotel Northwest Illinois.”
completed in 2016, a banquet hall/event center set to open in For information regarding the Whiteside Carroll Enterprise
February of this year, and another hotel set to break ground this Zone, contact Gary Camarano at econdev@whiteside.org,
spring. Add the Best Cob relocation in the 30 West Industrial Park (815) 772-5182, or visit nwillinoisadvantage.com.
to the mix, and it’s easy to see what the Enterprise Zone has
contributed to helping us grow our local economy.” Pictured: The HALO Branded solutions has undertaken two local
expansions since 2017. The latest expansion, started in 2019, adds a
Terry McGuire, SVP at HALO Branded Solutions, said,
$25 million investment of 275,000 square feet, able to accommodate
“Sterling is where we want to be. The Northwest Illinois region is
350 new employees.
our home. Our business was started 60 years ago in Tampico by

Illinois Sheriff’s Association awarding scholarships

The Illinois Sheriff’s Association is once again awarding scholarships to
students pursuing higher education within Illinois. In addition to the cost of tuition,
the scholarships funds may be used to assist students with general fees and book
purchases. To be eligible, the applicant must be a permanent Illinois resident, the
money is to be utilized at a higher education institution within Illinois and the
student must be enrolled full-time during the 2020-2021 school year.
Applications are available at local county sheriff’s offices throughout the state.
It is also available online at www.ilsheriff.org. Applications must be postmarked
by March 15, 2020 and returned to the Sheriff’s office in the county where the
student resides.