Broadband Initiative Featured on Illinois News Center

Kankakee County ranks #5 in the US for manufacturing hubs, according to Business Facilities Magazine 2022 Metro Rankings Report. The magazine annually recognizes metro areas and cities of all sizes for attracting and retaining businesses from numerous industry sectors.

Manufacturing is integral to the story of Kankakee County, Illinois and our nation. In Kankakee County alone, the manufacturing industry alone outputs $5B annually, and accounts for 20% of the economy.

Nicor Gas has embarked on a campaign to promote doing business in Illinois. Kankakee County was selected as an initial focus community. Tim Nugent, President / CEO of the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County and Ladonna Russell, Executive Director of the Grundy Livingston Kankakee Workforce Board are featured here.

Kankakee County received $21.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The Kankakee County Board introduced the Respond, Revitalize, and Reinvest initiative is help distribute this funding within the community.

The Economic Alliance of Kankakee County is seeking a student intern to assist our office in coordinating county-wide economic development initiatives.

Global food and agribusiness PE leader Paine Schwartz Partners invests in our plant-based specialty dough manufacturer Urban Farmer Foods through new “Food Chain Fund V” platform.

Now more than ever, community partners are an integral part of Kankakee County’s resiliance and growth. n 2020, United Way of Kankakee & Iroquois Counties – with our Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley – generated and distributed more than $600,000 for emergency Covid-19 relief. While this work continues, our United Way is mission driven to serve our residential and business community each and every day by investing in the strategic areas of: youth success; economic mobility; and access to health services.

The Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley has announced the acceptance of applications for grants from the Robert K. Dunn Perpetual Charitable Trust Fund. The donor-advised fund was established by the trustees of Mr. Dunn’s estate in 2016. The trustees will advise the Community Foundation Board of Directors to grant up to $33,000 to one or multiple organizations that provide direct services to youth in the Greater Kankakee River Valley Area.

Governor JB Pritzker today released industry-specific guidelines that allow for the safe re-opening of businesses as the state progresses into the next phase of the Restore Illinois plan. All four regions of the state are on track to advance to Phase 3 of the plan in the coming days, allowing thousands of residents to return to work, and the reopening of businesses in the following industries: retail, offices, manufacturing, barbershops and salons, summer programs, various outdoor recreation activities and bars and restaurants for outdoor dining.