SRPED Quarterly Report 2 (1) by SRPED

QUARTERLY REPORT

JULY 2025

Staff Insight

A Mid-Year Reflection on Growth and Community Impact

Michelle Spiva, Executive Director

As we reach the halfway point of 2025, I’m proud to share some exciting updates and accomplishments from the second quarter of the year This issue of our SRPED newsletter is filled with the kind of progress and community spirit that makes Fulton County such a wonderful place to live, work, and invest.

We continue to make meaningful strides in addressing one of our region’s most pressing needs housing. Our ongoing housing development initiative is moving forward with great momentum as we work with local partners to increase availability, affordability, and quality across our communities.

We’re also proud to report the successful completion of our Broadband Breakthrough project, which laid the foundation for expanded high-speed internet access across underserved areas of Fulton County. Reliable connectivity is essential to economic growth, and this project is a game-changer for our workforce, students, and entrepreneurs.

The Canton Bicentennial Celebration was another major highlight of the quarter SRPED was honored to serve as fiscal sponsor and to assist in planning and volunteering at a few events during this unforgettable community milestone. It was a true celebration of our history and future.

Finally, we ’ re thrilled to see continued progress from the Spoon River CEO program, which is empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders right here in our rural schools. Their passion, creativity, and drive continue to inspire us.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to building on this momentum in the months ahead as we keep working together for the future of Fulton County.

Warmly,

Michelle Spiva

Executive Director, SRPED

Staff Insight

An Overview of Team Insights on Ongoing Projects and Upcoming Initiatives.

The second quarter of 2025 has been a season of exciting momentum for tourism and marketing efforts across Fulton County. One of the biggest highlights was the award of a $27,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Tourism Attractions Grant Program. This competitive funding will support the development of the Spoon River Mussel Statue Trail a unique public art initiative that will bring visitors into communities in Spoon River Country. Since receiving the award, I’ve worked closely with the state team on grant formalities, site agreements, and launching sponsorships and artist bids. The project is already generating strong interest and will serve as a creative, countywide tourism draw.

In downtown Canton, we also saw great success with the introduction of a selfguided Historic Walking Tour, designed to complement our revitalization efforts and deepen visitors’ connection to the city’s past. Alongside this, we are actively pursuing additional grant opportunities that will support both countywide tourism development and marketing innovation for small towns and rural communities across Fulton County.

Art on Main was another standout success this quarter. Our digital marketing strategy this year focused on smarter spending and stronger targeting— resulting in a 35% increase in attendance over last year ’ s event, while keeping costs down. Engagement across platforms was noticeably higher, proving that well-planned, data-informed outreach can have a big impact.

Jennie Grove, Marketing and Tourism Director

Looking ahead, we ’ re developing new tourism programs focused on both rural tourism development and improving community perception We’re also building out educational events like “Lunch & Learn” sessions, which will provide local business owners with practical tools in marketing, branding, and small business growth.

Best,

Jennie Grove

Cheers to 200 Years!

Canton’s Bicentennial Celebration: A Week to Remember! Overview

From June 20 to June 29, 2025, the City of Canton came alive in a big way to celebrate its 200th birthday and what a celebration it was! The Canton Bicentennial Celebration was packed with music, parades, family fun, local pride, and a deep appreciation for the rich history that makes Canton such a special place to call home.

SRPED was honored to serve as the fiscal sponsor for the Bicentennial Committee and to support this once-in-a-lifetime event. We’d like to extend a huge thank you to the entire Bicentennial Committee for their incredible hard work and dedication in bringing this celebration to life. From the earliest planning meetings to the final birthday celebration in the park, your passion for our community shined through in every detail.

Our team at SRPED was thrilled to help plan and volunteer for two standout events: the Ultimate Doors Tribute Concert, which rocked Canton High School with unforgettable music and energy, and the Step Back in Time Parade, which brought our history to the streets with vintage tractors, period costumes, and community spirit.

As we reflect on the celebration, we ’ re reminded how lucky we are to live and work in such a charming and historic town. Canton’s bicentennial wasn’t just about honoring the past—it was about celebrating the people, partnerships, and pride that will carry us into the future.

Thank you again to everyone who made this celebration so memorable. Here’s to the next 200 years!

State Investment Backs Unique Fulton County Tourism Project

We’re thrilled to announce that SRPED has been awarded a $27,000 grant through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Tourism Attractions Grant Program! This funding is part of a $1.7 million statewide investment to boost local tourism across Illinois and we ’ re proud that our Spoon River Mussel Statue Trail project was selected through a competitive process.

Turning River Lore into Roadside Landmarks

So, what’s the Mussel Statue Trail all about? This creative, county-wide tourism initiative will feature a series of large fiberglass mussel statues, each painted by local artists and placed in communities in Spoon River Country. The trail celebrates our region’s natural beauty and rich cultural history highlighting the native mussels once abundant along the riverbanks, which even inspired the name "Spoon River." The statues will serve as both public art and interactive stops, encouraging people to explore Fulton County, support local businesses, and discover the stories that make our communities unique.

This is just the beginning of something big for Fulton County tourism! If you ’ re interested in learning how you can sponsor a statue or support the trail, contact Jennie Grove atmarketing@cantonillinois.org. We’d love to have you be a part of this one-of-a-kind project!

Broadband Project

Broadband Breakthrough Highlights Need for Expanded Internet Access in Fulton County

SRPED is proud to announce the successful completion of the Broadband Breakthrough Project, a collaborative effort with the Illinois Broadband Lab and the University of Illinois Extension Office to assess and improve high-speed internet access across Fulton County.

As part of this initiative, we conducted an online survey and speed test campaign to better understand the connectivity challenges faced by our residents. The results were eye-opening: 83% of respondents were found to have internet service that qualifies as either unserved or underserved by current providers, based on federal broadband standards.

The findings are displayed in a detailed internet speed map, which highlights the areas in most critical need of upgraded infrastructure. This data-driven tool will guide next steps as we pursue meaningful solutions.

Gap Analysis Report

Thanks to this program, we now have a comprehensive broadband expansion plan that includes strategies to partner with service providers, prioritize underserved areas, and prepare strong applications for Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding.

Reliable high-speed internet is essential for everything from education and healthcare to small business development and remote work. With this plan in hand, we ’ re one step closer to bridging the digital divide in our rural communities.

We’re grateful to the Illinois Broadband Lab and University of Illinois Extension for their partnership and look forward to working with local stakeholders to make highspeed fiber internet a reality for all of Fulton County.

Housing Revitilization

IHDA Housing Project Moves Forward with Community Support

On June 4, 2025, SRPED hosted a community meeting at First Christian Church in Canton as part of our ongoing work with the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) to improve local housing conditions. The meeting featured a presentation by Becky Darling of IHDA, who shared results from our recent online housing survey and discussed the next steps in this important project. The goal of this initiative is to complete a comprehensive community needs assessment focused on housing. This data will help Canton and the greater Fulton County area qualify for grant funding and tax incentives aimed at improving existing housing and increasing our local housing stock.

The next phase of the project includes conducting an in-person housing stock survey, and we need your help! This is a great volunteer opportunity for church groups, students, civic organizations, and other community members looking to make a meaningful impact. Volunteers will receive training and help gather data that will directly inform the future of housing in our area.

Once the in-person surveys are complete, SRPED and IHDA will host another community meeting to share findings and gather additional public input. Community feedback is essential in shaping future strategies and ensuring that the solutions reflect local needs. Scan the QR code to take the online survey.

Together, we can build a stronger, more accessible, and better-equipped housing landscape for everyone in our region If you ' re interested in volunteering, please contact SRPED Executive Director, Michelle Spiva, at 309-647-2677 ext. 4 or mspiva@cantonillinois.org.

Tourism Mirco-Grants

Applications Open August 1st

Do you have an idea that could bring more visitors to Canton? Starting August 1, 2025, the Canton Tourism Attraction Micro-Grant Program will begin accepting applications for this year ’ s round of funding

Administered by the Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development (SRPED), these $1,000 micro-grants are designed to support events, programs, and services that attract tourists from outside Fulton County with the ultimate goal of increasing overnight stays and boosting local spending.

These grants are made possible through funding from Canton’s Hotel/Motel Tax, which was created to support initiatives that grow the tourism economy in our community. Whether you ’ re a small business owner with a unique attraction, or a community group planning an event with regional appeal, this grant could help bring your vision to life.

Who Can Apply?

Businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community groups with ideas that have the potential to draw visitors to Canton are encouraged to apply Projects should clearly demonstrate their ability to attract tourists from outside the area and contribute to increased hotel stays and economic activity.

Important Dates

Applications Open: August 1, 2025

Application Deadline: September 1, 2025

Grant guidelines and application forms will be available at www.cantonillinois.org/economic-development/ starting August 1st For more information or assistance with your application, please contact Jennie Grove at marketing@cantonillinois.org.

Downtown Revitalization

Downtown Canton got a creative boost this June with the installation of large historic photo displays in several vacant storefronts—just in time for the Bicentennial celebration. Funded by a $5,000 grant from the University of Illinois, the displays turn empty windows into an outdoor exhibit highlighting key moments from Canton’s past.

Every Photo Has a Story—Just Scan

Each photo includes a QR code linking to the story behind the image or building. Since launching, the codes have been scanned over 50 times showing strong interest from the community. The displays will remain in place until the buildings are reoccupied, bringing history and vibrancy to our downtown in the meantime.

Spoon River CEO Program Welcomes First Facilitator and Prepares for Launch

Big things are happening for the Spoon River CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) program as it prepares to welcome its very first class of students this August! We’re thrilled to announce that Payton Arnett has been hired as the program ’ s first facilitator. Payton lives in Lewistown and brings a strong mix of classroom and real-world experience to the role. With five years of teaching under her belt and two years of small business ownership, she’s passionate about entrepreneurship and ready to inspire the next generation of young leaders across Fulton County Her energy, creativity, and commitment to student success make her a perfect fit for this important role

A Strong Start for the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

On July 10, 2025, Spoon River College hosted an orientation to officially launch the Spoon River CEO program and welcome its first student cohort Investors, board members, parents, and students gathered to learn about the curriculum, expectations, and exciting opportunities ahead.

SRPED is proud to serve as the program ’ s fiscal sponsor and support its mission of empowering high school students through hands-on business education and mentorship. We’re currently seeking local businesses to serve as hosts, speakers, and mentors. If interested, please reach out to Payton at facilitator@spoonriverceo.com.

We’re excited to watch this inaugural class grow and succeed!

Payton Arnett

CEO Board of Directors

Why Your Investment Matters

As highlighted throughout this report, the Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development (SRPED) is actively creating stronger communities, supporting local businesses, promoting tourism, and leading initiatives that drive growth across Canton and Fulton County.

The impact of this work is only possible because of the generous support from individuals, businesses, and public partners who believe in the future of our region.

Be Part of What’s Next

SRPED is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, funded through a mix of public and private contributions. Every dollar we receive is reinvested directly into programs and projects that strengthen our local economy and improve quality of life. Your support allows us to build meaningful partnerships, implement communityfocused solutions, and keep momentum going across Fulton County.

A contribution to SRPED is more than just a donation it’s an investment in economic vitality, community advancement, and lasting local impact. It also sends a clear message: you support opportunity, growth, and progress for the people who live and work here.