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Online tool
promotes economic development throughout Illinois
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[AUG.
9, 2004]
SPRINGFIELD -- To further
ongoing efforts promoting economic development in Illinois, Gov. Rod
Blagojevich signed legislation Friday requiring the Illinois
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish and
maintain a website devoted to the marketing of Illinois goods and
services. The website will link potential purchasers with producers
of goods and services located throughout the state. This will
complement other online efforts through Opportunity Returns, the
governor's proactive, regional approach to spurring local economies
and creating jobs.
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"Everybody
understands that e-commerce is an important and growing component of
the Illinois economy, and we want to make sure that we're doing all
that we can to help Illinois companies sell their wares across the
state, the country and the world. This legislation is another step
in the right direction because it complements many of the
initiatives that we are already undertaking through Opportunity
Returns, which is helping to grow our economy and create good jobs,"
Gov. Blagojevich said.
House Bill 4227 was sponsored Rep. Jim Watson, R-Jacksonville,
and Sen. Debbie Halvorson, D-Chicago Heights.
"We must continue to
do all that we can to help businesses throughout Illinois continue
to grow and prosper. Since e-commerce is such a great way to tap
into new and expanding markets, this website will be another
important economic development tool for our state," said Rep.
Watson.
"Illinois has a
wealth of companies, both large and small, who offer a large variety
of unique goods and services. One of the most efficient and
effective ways to reach new customers is by taking advantage of the
expanding online market, and this will be another creative way the
state is helping Illinois businesses accomplish that," said Jack
Lavin, director of the Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity.
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Opportunity Returns
is already using the Internet in a number of innovative ways to
promote economic development throughout Illinois. A new website
launched earlier this year,
www.buyillinoisproducts.com, promotes Illinois food and
agricultural products by giving producers a chance to market their
company and products online. The "Buy Illinois Products" website,
created through the Illinois Department of Agriculture, is designed
to keep the agriculture product industry on top of a constantly
changing and competitive market.
"Location One" is an
innovative online marketing tool enabling community economic
development agencies to promote available properties in their area
for business relocation. The Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity website now has a listing of community profiles and
available real estate sites throughout the state, vastly increasing
the community's exposure to site selectors seeking industrial and
commercial real estate opportunities. Location One can be found at
www.illinoisbiz.biz or
www.commerce.state.il.us
by clicking on the brown "Buildings and Sites Locator" button.
"House Bill 4227
provides yet another tool to help Illinois producers better market
their goods and services," said Halvorson. "An Illinois company that
is more productive beyond our borders makes our economy stronger
within them."
The legislation is effective Jan. 1,
2005.
[News release
from the governor's office]
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