Grants Focus on Economic Development for Communities

In 2016, the Foundation created a $300,000 grant program to support each DeKalb County municipality’s creation of an economic development plan for future growth and opportunities.

Now that each community has an economic development plan, the Foundation committed an additional $300,000 to launch an Implementation Grant program in 2022. This new program allows up to $20,000 per community to put plans into action. Four communities received grants in year one of the three-year program.

Implementation Grants:

CITY OF GENOA

$20,000

Revitalize a master plan to guide future actions and strategic growth in the community.

VILLAGE OF HINCKLEY

$20,000

Hire a marketing assistant to carry out a defined marketing strategy.

VILLAGE OF KIRKLAND

$29,200

Assist in developing a main street parking lot into a vibrant downtown space to host community events.

VILLAGE OF WATERMAN

$20,000

Update the master plan to guide future actions of the community.

Implementation projects are a preferred use of grants, although additional necessary planning may be considered as demonstrated by Genoa and Waterman.

Update:

The Village of Hinckley’s economic development plan recommended the creation of a marketing strategy to represent the village and business community. Hinckley used their new grant dollars to hire a marketing assistant to develop and implement their newly created marketing plan. An update from the Village of Hinckley included, “Our marketing assistant has reactivated the Hinckleyhub.org website, updated it with information about Hinckley businesses and attractions, and built interest and excitement for major community events through social media and conventional media channels.”

The Village of Hinckley used Implementation Grant funds to focus on increasing community interest and business relationships.