Economic Development

Welcome to Jo Daviess County!

A great place to start and grow a business!

Northwest Illinois Economic Development is the official economic development headquarters for Jo Daviess County. It is a private/public partnership created in 2009. We want your business so please check with NW Illinois first! Please scroll down for a brief list of county incentives (and others).

NWILED_logo_Web


ANNOUNCEMENTS

09-13-23 Press release - NWILED helps launch new C-PACE financing programs for City of Galena and Jo Daviess County

Index

1) USDA Rural Economic Development Loan Program (REDL)
2) Jo Daviess County Enterprise Zone
3) Jo Daviess County Revolving Loan Fund
4) Easy and friendly government offices to work with
5) Local incentive packages (municipalities)
6) State of Illinois Economic Development initiatives

1) USDA Rural Economic Development Loan Program (REDL)
  • $1,000,000 maximum loan
  • Loan amount shall not exceed 80% of total project cost
  • 0% interest
  • 10 year loan maximum
  • Click here for more details
2) Jo Daviess County Enterprise Zone
  • The major benefit from Enterprise Zones is that you don’t have to pay sales tax on construction materials which is a cost benefit of up to 8%
  • Building Permits are required
  • There is an application fee
  • Please contact dschmit@nwiled.org at NWIL ED for more details
3) Jo Daviess County Revolving Loan Fund
  • It is a source of financing for expanding or a start up business that has a “financing gap”. It is a low-interest option to complete a financing package
  • $100 application fee
  • Must borrow at least $5,000 – up to $100,000
  • Rate:  Two (2) points below Prime Rate, variable
  • Must not exceed 25% of total package fee
  • 10 year loan maximum
  • .25% cost for annual service fee
  • Click here for application
4) Easy and friendly government offices to work with
  • Blackhawk Hills Resource Conservation & Development District
  • Phone: 815-625-3854 ext 2
  • www.blackhawkhills.com
  • Jo Daviess County Development & Planning Committee
  • Phone: 815-777-6557
  • www.jodaviesscountyil.gov/committees
  • Jo Daviess County Economic Development Strategies Committee (CEDS)
  • 815-777-6557
  • www.jodaviesscountyil.gov/committees
  • Contact the Jo Daviess County Administrator's Office
  • Phone: 815-777-6557
  • Email: countyadministrator@jodaviess.org
  • County Chairman LaDon Trost
  • County Vice-Chairman John Lang
  • Jo Daviess County Development and Planning Committee Chairman – Diane Gallagher
5) Local incentive packages (municipalities)
6) State of Illinois Economic Development initiatives
Contact dschmit@nwiled.org at North West Illinois Economic Development to help walk through Illinois incentive packages.

Contact Us

Northwest Illinois Economic Development
Contact: David Schmit
Phone: 815.297-7361
Email: dschmit@nwiled.org

Jo Daviess County Administrator's Office
Phone: 815.777.6557
Email: countyadministrator@jodaviesscountyil.gov

Jo Daviess County New Resident's Welcome Kit. This new 12-page guide was designed to serve as an information resource for current residents and those moving into the region.