Tazewell County board weighs more active economic development role, urges site-ready inventory

Tazewell County board members discussed the county’s role in economic development and urged a more proactive approach to keep businesses and tax revenue in the county.

Several speakers said existing regional development efforts favor Peoria and that Tazewell must take additional steps to compete. Speaker 8 said the county should "start being more proactive with our communities about what we offer on this side of the river that's better than across the river," and criticized perceived state and market advantages that direct revenue — including casino-related taxes — away from Tazewell County.

Speakers recounted concrete local concerns: lost hotels and restaurants tied to riverfront development and a perception that regional development authorities focus first on Peoria. "When that does happen, that's 2 hotel. Yeah. We're gonna get half a portion of the riverboat that's guaranteed. But we lost 2 hotels," said Speaker 3, summarizing the fiscal effects raised in the discussion.

Board members and staff discussed two practical steps to strengthen county economic competitiveness: re-establishing or funding gap-loan programs to help small businesses and creating more "site-ready" properties with committed land, infrastructure and buildings so larger employers can locate quickly. Speaker 9, referring to conversations with the EDC director, said the Pekin Industrial Park is often "pretty much the only spot" recommended to incoming prospects and urged the county to partner with municipalities and landowners to secure additional ready sites.

A board member noted a regional example: a nearby municipality had tried to attract a $500,000,000 project; speakers said Tazewell should avoid duplicative efforts while ensuring it retains a share of regional benefits. No formal decisions or funding allocations were recorded in the transcript; speakers asked staff to return with options for a county economic-development vision, potential gap-loan mechanics and strategies for creating or inventorying site-ready land.

Ending: Board members requested follow-up materials and clearer options for board action on gap loans, site readiness and EDC coordination.