Casey, IL - Economic Development Overview

2019 Casey Visitor's Guide & Business Directory

City of

Casey, Illinois

Economic Development Overview

The Litt le T own that mad e it

BIG

2 HRS

Quick Facts Population

2,756 (2019) Incorporated City Size

The perfect central location for business, visitors and residents.

2.15 Square Miles

Casey is within TWO hours of:

Interstate 70 Traffic

• • • •

23,000+ AADT

St. Louis, MO Indianapolis, IN Champaign, IL Bloomington, IL

IL Route 49 Traffic

3,200-6,100 AADT 27% Lower Cost of Living than the US Average Bestplaces.net (2020)

Why Casey?

Halfway between St. Louis, Missouri and Indianapolis, Indiana on Interstate 70, Casey is a hub of agricultural and energy activity. With a landscape dotted with oilfields, many related businesses thrive in Casey. The historic National Road runs through the center of town, and many residents remember the original. Strong hometown roots keep and bring many residents back to a community of strong values demonstrated by the continued prosperity of over twenty churches in the community.

The business climate of Casey is much like the hospitality of its residents, open and accommodating. With several larger industries and many small businesses, a business finds a stable and supporting environment in which to thrive. The City of Casey, the Chamber of Commerce, and a dedicated economic development organization, Casey Industries, Inc. support the varied needs of the businesses of Casey.

Click here to visit CASEY virtually!

BENEFITS: • • • • • • • •

Easy Access to several Metro areas Increasing Downtown Activity Affordable, Quality Housing Great Resources, Parks & Recreation One-of-a-kind Tourist Attractions Variety of Community Events Active Community Associations Responsive Government

Hello and welcome to the City of Casey, home of multiple World’s Largest records, appropriately and affectionately known as Big Things in a Small Town (BTST). Whether you’re in town for business or pleasure, or are just curious about all the Big Things, I hope you’ll take some time to drive around our community, explore our beautiful 40 acre Fairview Park, and take in the beauty and uniqueness of our community.

- Nik Groothuis, Mayor

I am blessed to be part of the Casey community. I took my passion into creating the big things dream, but it is the community that has helped contribute to its success. The Casey residents, our tourists advocates, are the front line in welcoming the visitors. The Casey businesses in ways to accommodate both local organizations and City Hall have pitched in to volunteer and support the Big Things in a Small Town journey.

Big Things journey does not stop here. It was started in 2009. It has been an awesome journey and I have high hopes for the journey to continue.

- Jim Bolin, Bolin Enterprises Inc.

Casey has a lot to offer, not only to its residents, but visitors alike. We have a beautiful park, a community golf course and many community events throughout the year. Known as the City of Lights, you will notice light poles along the two main corridors on Main Street and Central Avenue. As you look down these streets at night, these lights shine as far as the eye can see. It’s quite beautiful!

We hope you’ll take advantage of all Casey has to offer. Its Big Things, the park, golf course and especially the small family owned shops and restaurants. Casey is a friendly, welcoming town.

- Dave Liebenow, Former Chamber of Commerce President (2019)

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS

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Casey Industries, formed in 1960, has been the source of funds and support for both new and expansion business and industrial projects in the area. Casey Industries works to assist existing and new businesses with expansion and development opportunities including tax abatements for real estate purchases through the Clark County Enterprise Zone, business planning and resources, and potential gap financing.

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Casey In Action, formed in 2010, is a group of current and former residents interested in keeping the community of Casey healthy now and in the future. Their purpose is to identify community needs, provide materials and funds for community improvement projects by fundraising and organizing volunteer opportunities to accomplish the projects.

Our Economic Development Director partners with Casey organizations (listed below), as well as County, Regional, and Statewide Economic Development Organizations.

•

Chamber of Commerce, established in 1936, has been a networking tool for local businesses and a catalyst for economic growth since its inception. Understanding that community spirit and togetherness is vital for a thriving business atmosphere, the Chamber supports community events and local entities, including businesses, community groups and our schools.

ATTRACTIONS & EVENTS ▲ Fairview

Park: five pavilions, stage, 30 horseshoe pits, saddle club, bandstand, stocked ponds, baseball and softball diamonds, a campground, children’s playground and beautiful gardens.

LOCAL EVENTS • Downtown Farmers Market • Open Mic at the Park Series • Crazy Casey Day, Motor on Main, Garden Tractor Pull • Popcorn Festival • IBRA NPBA Horse Show • 4th of July Celebration (& Parade) • Candy Canes on Main • Christmas in the Park OTHER ATTRACTIONS • Lincoln Trail Motorsports (8-MIN west) is a 225-acre, 8 track motorcross racing and

riding facility that provides open rides, prepped pratices and hosts 15+ race events a year.

• Historic National Road was created in

1806 by legislation signed by President Thomas Jefferson. Today, the Illinois National Road stretches 164 miles from Marshall through our beloved Casey to East St. Louis and is mirrored by U.S. Route 40 and Interstate 70.

BIG THINGS SMALL TOWN A resident and business owner, Jim Bolin, came up with an idea to drive economic development in Casey through tourism. He created “Big Things in a Small Town®. He first built the World’s Largest Wind Chime in 2011 and since then has built 11 additional “World’s Largest”, plus 19 “Big Things”.

Casey has received national coverage for its “Big Things” and has seen a significant increase in tourism.

For more information: bigthingssmalltown.com

CASEY, ILLINOIS

CASEY SOFTBALL MUSEUM

WORLD’S

Home to the “Big Bat” Big Thing. Much of Casey’s rich

history of softball is displayed on the south side of Fairview Park. The Casey Softball Hall of Honor was built in 1976. In 2010, the USA Softball of Illinois Hall of Fame Museum was added making this site a local and state center to preml5.com/rmprq/dckj/?fbclid=IwAR1U_ermYEgF4AYOKDru9Uqx_VEAtSBs82Wuht9tKyNLADmsinTi7aWSS9E#p=36 serve Illinois Softball Tradition. As of 2016, the USA Softball Hall of Fame Museum has had 26,000 visitors from all 50 States and 41 Countries.

RICHARD FARMS RESTAURANT Home of the World’s Largest “Pitchfork”. This restau-

rant and event space is located in an authentic restored barn in the northeast edge of the City.

In addition to its American-style cuisine, the site offers a 300-person banquet room.

CASEY COUNTRY CLUB Home of the World’s Largest “Golf Tee”. The Casey

Country Club is a semi-private club that is open to the public. This challenging 9-hole course plays from several different tees.

LARGEST THINGS 7/38

CASEY’S RETAIL MARKETPLACE The City of Casey completed a retail market study in 2020 that identified Casey’s demographic profile and potential retail opportunities. This plan also produced a concept identifying potential development opportunities surrounding the Interstate 70 interchange should public infrastructure get extended.

▲ Interchange Development Concept.

Quick Facts

4,127 Pop. Casey Convenience Trade Area

(10 min. driveshed)

15,196 Pop.

Casey Destination Trade Area

(30 min. driveshed)

$2.9M Shortfall Food & Drink Establishments (Destination Trade Area)

15% Increase 2010-16 County Direct Visitor Expenditures ($14.0M in 2016) Illinois Department of Tourism

POTENTIAL MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

LODGING INFO & TRENDS Over the last 5 years (2015-2020), the City lodging facilities have averaged an estimated 8,700-10,100 annual stays with a steady increase year over year.

12,000 10,000

• • • • • •

8,000 6,000

• •

4,000 2,000 0

2010

2015

Pre “Big Things”

Low Estimate

2016

2017

High Estimate

2018

2019

•

Restaurant Clothing (and Accessories) Electronics and Appliance Health and Personal Care Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Other Misc. Retailers (e.g., Pet Supply) Hotel Hair/Nail Salons and Barbershops Activities for Tourists and Residents

DID YOU KNOW? The Casey Municipal Airport is owned by the City of Casey and leased to the Casey Airport Boosters, Inc. The airport is open to the public 24 hours each day and offers the following facilities:

• 4,0000-ft Lighted Paved Runway • 2,000-ft Sod Runway

BUSINESS INCENTIVES CITY GRANTS We offer three grants for Casey residents, business owners, and organizations.

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Business Improvement - Offers businesses with up to $2,500 in matching funds for updates to their business.

•

Community Grant - Offers up to $500 in sponsorship dollars towards an event/activity that promotes economic opportunities for Casey businesses and/or organizations.

•

Revitalization Grant - Offers residents and/or business owners’ reimbursement of up to $500 for a dumpster during demolition or rehabbing of a property.

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Electric Utility Grant - Offers three years of reduced electric bills, as follows: 40% reduction (up to $45,000) in the 1st year, 30% reduction (up to $35,000) in the 2nd year, and 20% reduction (up to $20,000) in the 3rd year.

CLARK COUNTY ENTERPRISE ZONES The Clark County Enterprise Zone was established on July I, 1990. An enterprise zone is a specific area designated by the State of Illinois in cooperation with a local government to receive various tax incentives and other benefits to stimulate economic activity. Incentives that may be available to businesses building or doing renovation projects in the Enterprise Zone include the following: •

Sales Tax Exemption on Building Materials - Building materials that are eligible for the enterprise zone sales tax exemption includes items purchased in Illinois that are permanently affixed to real property such as lumber, mortar, glue-down carpets, paint, wallpaper and similar affixed items.

•

Property Tax Abatement - The abatement applies only to taxes on the increase in assessed value attributable to the new construction, renovation, or rehabilitation. The property tax abatement is approximately an 85% abatement on improvements for the first 5- year upon completion. In the 6th year, owner pays 25%, 7th year owner pays 50%, 8th year owner pays 75% and the 9th year owner pays 100%.

FOR MORE INFORMATION contact

Bailey Maulding, Economic Development Director

online.fliphtml5.com/rmprq/dckj/?fbclid=IwAR1U_ermYEgF4AY

developcasey@cityofcaseyil.org 217-330-5507

Prepared by: MSA Professional Services (2021)