QUARTERLY REPORT
OCT 2025
Staff Insight
Reflections on Active Projects and Future Directions
Michelle Spiva, Executive Director
As we move into the fall season, I’m excited to share the incredible progress we ’ ve made together in the third quarter. One of our most significant accomplishments has been advancing our residential housing project, which continues to generate momentum and attract interest from developers and community members alike. This project will play a vital role in strengthening our local economy, providing quality housing options, and ensuring that our communities remain vibrant places to live and work
We are also looking forward to hosting a series of upcoming community meetings designed to gather input, foster collaboration, and keep everyone engaged in shaping the future of our region. These conversations are an important part of our mission at SRPED to work hand in hand with our residents, businesses, and partners to ensure that our strategies reflect shared goals.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support and dedication to community and economic growth in Fulton County. We could not do this work without you.
This quarter, our work focused on advancing key initiatives that support business growth, community development, and tourism in Fulton County. It’s been an exciting time of progress and growth for our projects across the county. I’ve been deeply involved in several key initiatives, including overseeing the Beyond Local Tourism Micro-Grant program, tracking milestones on the Spoon River Mussel Trail project, and launching the Small Business Success Series
On the tourism side, we ’ ve been putting the finishing touches on the Explore Fulton County website, gearing up for its fall launch. Each of these efforts reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting local businesses, celebrating our communities, and creating new opportunities for residents and visitors alike. It’s been rewarding to see these projects move from planning into action and to witness the impact they are beginning to have.
Jennie Grove, Marketing and Tourism Director
Opera House Plaza Debuts
We are excited to announce the grand opening of the Opera House Plaza in downtown Canton! This new community gathering space honors our city’s history while creating a vibrant place for future events and celebrations. At the heart of the plaza stands a stunning twenty-one-foot-tall stone arch, a faithful replica of the iconic arch that once graced Canton’s historic opera house
A New Hub for Music, Food, and Fun
The Plaza also features a state-of-the-art stage and concessions area, making it the perfect home for “Music in the Park” and a wide variety of community events This investment in public space is the first of many planned placemaking activities designed to bring energy, culture, and connection to the heart of Canton.
The grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting will be on Friday, October 24, 2025, at 5:30 PM.
The event will feature live music from Monster Lane and delicious food offerings from Eats restaurant, kicking off what we hope will be the first of many memorable evenings in this beautiful new green space.
Downtown Canton is excited to welcome you to the Opera House Plaza!
Supporting Local Business Growth
Small Business Success Series: Tools and Strategies for Growth
This quarter, SRPED launched the Small Business Success Series, beginning with a session designed to help businesses master digital marketing The series provides local business owners with practical tools, resources, and strategies to help their businesses grow and thrive, while fostering community and peer learning among participants
Building Digital Skills for Local Success
The digital marketing session offered valuable insights into the power of modern advertising tools including digital billboards, geofencing, and targeted online campaigns that reach audiences through platforms like YouTube and mobile apps. Participants learned how data-driven strategies can help local businesses connect with the right customers and drive website traffic more effectively. The discussion emphasized that digital marketing isn’t just for big companies it can be done successfully on any budget. With nine engaged attendees, this inaugural session was a strong start, sparking new ideas and conversations about how small businesses can expand their reach beyond traditional advertising.
Following the session, we sent out a survey to gather feedback, and the responses were overwhelmingly positive Participants appreciated the practical guidance and also provided suggestions for future series topics. Importantly, all respondents indicated they would recommend these sessions to other local business owners, highlighting the value and impact of this initiative We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to support small business success in our community.
Residential Housing Progress
SRPED is pleased to share exciting progress on our residential housing project in partnership with the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA). We have successfully completed the housing stock survey, a major milestone that provides a comprehensive picture of the current state of housing across Fulton County. This important data will help guide our next steps as we move forward with creating a Community Revitalization Plan tailored to our region’s needs
Shaping the Future of Housing
We are now entering the analysis phase, where the results of the on-line and in-person surveys will be reviewed and used to shape goals and initiatives for housing development and improvement. To share these findings, we are thrilled to welcome Becky Darling from IHDA to Canton on Tuesday, October 21 at 5:30 PM. Becky will present the data at a community meeting held at First Christian Church, and all Fulton County residents are encouraged to attend.
This meeting will be a valuable opportunity to learn about the state of housing in our communities and to participate in meaningful conversations about future priorities. Your input will help ensure that our plan reflects the vision and needs of the people who live and work here.
Your Guide to Fulton County— Coming Soon
Explore Fulton County Through New Tourism Website
We’re excited to announce that Explore Fulton County, the county’s new tourism website, is nearing completion and set to launch this fall. The site is in its final stages, with details and business listings being finalized to provide visitors with a comprehensive and engaging experience.
Launching Fall 2025
Once live, Explore Fulton County will showcase everything the region has to offer, from outdoor adventures, historic sites, and cultural attractions to local shopping, dining, and lodging options. A countywide events calendar will keep residents and visitors connected to all the exciting happenings across Fulton County.
The website will also offer local businesses opportunities to be featured as a highlight, providing a unique marketing and sponsorship platform to reach residents and visitors alike. Explore Fulton County will serve as a central hub for discovering, experiencing, and supporting everything our county has to offer, making it an exciting new way to promote community and commerce.
Explorefultoncounty.com
Mussel Project Milestones & Opportunities
The Spoon River Mussel Trail Project is progressing steadily, and we ’ re excited to share the latest updates. Final agreements and contracts with the State DCEO have now been secured, and all site locations for the mussel sculptures have been officially finalized. This marks a major milestone for the project and sets the stage for bringing public art to communities across Fulton County, creating a trail that residents and visitors can enjoy for years
Turning River Lore into Roadside Landmarks
For those who may be new to the project, the Spoon River Mussel Trail Project is a countywide public art initiative designed to celebrate Fulton County’s history, culture, and communities. Artists are invited to create murals on mussel sculptures that will be installed at key locations across the county. Each sculpture is intended to reflect the character and story of its community, turning public art into a shared experience that connects people to the region’s heritage.
How to Get Involved?
We are now accepting artist applications for those interested in contributing their creativity to this project. In addition, we are actively seeking partners and sponsors to help support the initiative, ensuring its success and longevity. This is a unique opportunity for businesses and community members to get involved, showcase local talent, and help create a lasting cultural legacy for Fulton County.
For more information visit: https://wwwcantonillinois org/call-for-artists/
Inaugural CEO Class Begins
This August marked an exciting milestone for Fulton County with the launch of the inaugural class of the Spoon River CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) program. Ten exceptional students were selected through a competitive application process from local high schools including Canton, Lewistown, Farmington, Cuba, VIT, and Spoon River Valley.
Shaping Fulton County’s Next Leaders
The program, designed to cultivate the next generation of entrepreneurs, provides students with hands-on learning opportunities, mentorship, and exposure to real-world business practices. Since its start, the students have been actively engaged touring local businesses, learning directly from community leaders, and beginning preparations to launch their first class business.
SRPED is proud to serve as the fiscal sponsor of the Spoon River CEO program and to support an initiative that invests in our youth while strengthening the future of Fulton County’s business community These bright young leaders are gaining the tools, experiences, and confidence needed to drive innovation and growth for years to come.
Reversing the Exodus: Listening to the Next Generation
SRPED is excited to announce the launch of a new initiative, Reversing the Exodus, in partnership with the University of Illinois Extension office. The goal of this program is to better understand what draws young residents to Canton and what challenges may cause them to leave. By hearing directly from young adults, we aim to identify ways our community can better support its workforce, stop the population decline, and attract new residents to the area.
We invite all community members to attend a public meeting on Wednesday, November 12th at 5:30 PM at the Donaldson Center, 250 S.Ave D in Canton.A panel of young adults ages 18–35 will share their perspectives and speak on behalf of our younger population.
Youth Input for Community Growth
Through this program, we will ask important questions: What do young people see as Canton’s greatest assets? What obstacles do they face in building a life here? Why have some chosen to stay and work in our community, while others consider moving elsewhere? The answers will help guide strategies for growth and revitalization that meet the needs of our next generation.
Calling All Young Adults: Your Voice is Needed! Join our live panel on November 12th tackling the community exodus and share your perspective fill out the interest survey in the link:
Tourism MircoGrants
Beyond Local Grant Expands Reach for Small Businesses
The Beyond Local Micro-Grant Program was designed to help Fulton County businesses think bigger reaching new audiences, expanding their customer base, and elevating their marketing beyond the local area. This updated SRPED grant initiative focused specifically on helping small businesses grow their digital presence and tap into regional and statewide markets. Through this new approach, $1,000 microgrants were awarded to several small businesses across the county, each receiving targeted support to move their marketing efforts “beyond local.”
Snowman’s Reindeer Farm: Growing Tourism
One of the recipients, Snowman’s Reindeer Farm, owned and operated by Jason Parsons, is using the grant to expand their digital marketing campaign into larger regional markets including Bloomington, Springfield, the Quad Cities, and beyond.
The campaign will highlight the farm’s unique attractions from its growing herd of reindeer and new miniature cows to its cozy on-site Airbnb lodge. Last season alone, the farm welcomed more than 13,000 visitors, with 11,000 traveling from over 40 miles away an impressive testament to its wide appeal and tourism impact.
Supporting Small Businesses
Astoria’s Dairy Dipper
For more than seven decades, the Dairy Dipper in Astoria, IL has been a community favorite and a cherished local landmark. Since opening its doors in 1951, this family-friendly restaurant has delighted generations with its classic menu and signature ice cream treats. Whether it’s a summer cone after a ballgame, a quick bite with family, or a stop on the way home, the Dairy Dipper holds a special place in the hearts of Astoria residents and visitors alike.
Fund Recipient
SRPED is proud to support this longstanding small business through a 1% interest loan, which will help the Dairy Dipper invest in much-needed equipment upgrades. These improvements will ensure that customers can continue enjoying the same quality service and sweet traditions the restaurant has been known for since its founding.
Funding for this loan is made possible through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), whose programs are designed to help small businesses thrive and expand in rural communities. By partnering with local businesses like the Dairy Dipper, SRPED continues its mission to sustain economic vitality and support the entrepreneurs who make our region unique.
Driving Growth Through Partnership
As detailed in this report, the Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development (SRPED) is dedicated to building stronger communities, supporting local businesses, promoting tourism, and spearheading initiatives that foster growth across Canton and Fulton County.
None of this progress would be possible without the generous support of individuals, businesses, and public partners who share our vision for a thriving regional future.
Together We Thrive
At SRPED, every dollar makes a difference. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, our work is fueled by the generosity of people like you neighbors, businesses, and community partners who believe in the power of local progress. Your support doesn’t just fund programs; it builds stronger communities, helps small businesses grow, and creates opportunities for the next generation right here in Fulton County.
When you give to SRPED, you ’ re investing in more than projects—you’re investing in people. You’re helping make Canton and Fulton County places where families can thrive, entrepreneurs can succeed, and community spirit continues to shine. Together, we ’ re building a future we can all be proud of.
Invest in Local Impact
All contributions are tax-deductible. If you ' re inspired by the work showcased in this report, we invite you to join us in shaping what’s next
Investor Spotlight: Fulton County Farm Bureau
Farm Bureau Grant Opportunities
SRPED is proud to highlight the ongoing support and leadership of the Fulton County Farm Bureau in promoting rural development and community growth.
This October, the Illinois Farm Bureau launched a new grant program designed to provide funding for small businesses, non-profits, community groups, and municipalities throughout the region.
A total of $120,000 has been allocated to support projects that strengthen rural communities across Illinois, and applications are open through December 1, 2025. This program reflects the Farm Bureau’s commitment to fostering innovation, economic development, and local engagement in Fulton County and beyond.
To request the application link or learn more about eligibility, please contact the Fulton County Farm Bureau directly. Their dedication continues to make a meaningful impact on our communities, and SRPED is grateful for their partnership in driving positive change.
