Community and Economic Development

The Peoria County Office saw more impact in its

Community and Economic Development programming

in 2006 due to an increase in many citizens

having believed in its importance and utilizing the

various programs.

2006 brought additional partnerships and new

programming possibilities. Some of our partners in

Community and Economic Development, are:

* Peoria County

* Limestone Township

* The Village of Bartonville

* Rosefield Township

* Three Sisters Park

* Western Illinois Rural Coalition on Development

* Prairie Rivers Resource Conservation and

Development

* Natural Resources Conservation Service

* Kickapoo Valley Farm

* Basil's Harvest

* Young Professionals Organization of

Greater Peoria

The Peoria Chapter of IDEA,

which we discussed in greater

detail earlier, is an example of a

program which addresses both

agricultural and economic development

needs of Peoria County

as well as surrounding counties.

One example which shows the

impact of the IDEA program on

agriculture and economic development is Lyndon

Hartz. Lyndon is a 24 year old young man from

Wyoming, Illinois who began his own CSA, four

years ago, on a 2 acre plot that his grandfather gave

him. Because of his dream, determination, and economic

growth, Lyndon purchased his own permanent

10 ½ acre plot in 2006. Lyndon believed in

what he could do and saw results.

Another community program the Peoria County

Office presented in 2006 was the "Hanna City

Community Swap." A group of four individuals

traveled to New Berlin, Illinois and evaluated this

community, having asked many questions.

A group from New Berlin also traveled to Hanna

City to evaluate and asked the same questions.

After each community made their initial visit, they

each reported to the other. Residents of Hanna City

were excited to hear the results of the swap report

and have developed plans to address New Berlin's

report.

The Peoria County Office also offered assistance

and leadership for the Young Professionals

Organization Academy. Ten young professionals

from the Peoria area participated in a six-week program,

surrounding the discussion of issues which

they may confront or are confronting in their respective

communities.

The Academy culminated in a "project." The

group developed, implemented and evaluated a survey

sent to Young Professionals in Greater Peoria.

This project resulted in assisting YPO to develop a

strategic plan for their organization.