Logan County business incubator grant proposal moves to the next step

[July 30, 2010]  The Lincoln & Logan County Development Partnership submitted a proposal for a $99,000 Rural Development Business Enterprise Grant to the United States Department of Agriculture in May for the purpose of creating a centralized business incubator. The partnership just received word that Logan County was one of two communities in the state of Illinois to have their proposal move to the final stages.

Each state is allowed to submit two projects for funding. Projects are evaluated on a point basis, and Logan County's project amassed enough points to qualify as a finalist. If selected, Logan County would be given up to three years to purchase and renovate a building to develop a business incubator geared at housing startup businesses.

This project was identified in the development partnership's five-year strategy and will be included as part of the Economic Development Master Plan, which is being developed by Vandewalle & Associates and will be shown to the public on the evening of Sept. 30.

This will be Logan County's first centralized business incubator.

The Lincoln & Logan County Development Partnership is the economic development agency for Logan County, serving businesses, government and residents of Logan County. The partnership's mission is to enhance the economic prosperity and quality of life in Logan County.

[Text from file received from the Lincoln & Logan County Development Partnership]