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Women’s Herstory Month 2025Please join the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) as we celebrate and honor HER, Illinois women-owned businesses, during national Women’s HERstory Month and International Woman’s Day. Throughout the month, DCEO is elevating resources to advance women-owned businesses throughout the state and is spotlighting Illinois...Continue Reading

Advance McHenry County Grants for Manufacturing to Rebound and Reinvent | LinkOpen to manufacturing businesses located in McHenry County.Small Certified Supplier Innovative Finance Program | LinkOpen to certified minority-, women-, veteran-, and LGBTQ+ owned businesses (certified by national or state organizations) in the following states California, Georgia, Kansas, Illinois, Michigan,...Continue Reading

Illinois Works Bid Credit Program | LinkThe Illinois Works Bid Credit Program is designed for contractors working on or interested in working on State of Illinois-funded capital projects. The program offers eligible contractors the opportunity to earn bid credits by hiring and retaining Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program graduates.Low Income Home...Continue Reading

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that Illinois will receive up to $354.6 million to administer four programs as part of the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI).Those programs are: •    Advantage Illinois (AI) Loan Participation Program (Existing Program)•    Advantage Illinois (AI) Loan Guarantee Program (New Program)•    INVENT Venture Capital...Continue Reading

Illinois Grocery Initiative - Equipment Upgrade Program (Round 2)The Illinois Grocery Initiative Equipment Upgrades Program, authorized by Public Act 103-0561, will provide grants for new energy-efficient equipment upgrades for existing independently-owned for-profit grocery stores, cooperative grocery stores, or not-for-profit grocery stores.Deadline: December 15, 2025Route 66 Grant ProgramProviding grants to certified...Continue Reading

Low Income Energy Home Assistance Program (LIHEAP)The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) released information about this year's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to support income eligible households with utility costs. LIHEAP will begin accepting applications on October 1, 2024, through August 15, 2025, or until...Continue Reading

VIEW EVENT PHOTOSGrowth Dimensions Economic Development held their annual reception on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at the Community Building Complex of Boone County, with OSF HealthCare as the Presenting Sponsor. The event, which saw attendance in excess of 250 guests, celebrated the organization’s 45th year as the County’s economic development...Continue Reading

IEDC’s annual Excellence Awards honor the economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that have demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the profession. July 30, 2024 (Boone County, IL) – Growth Dimensions Economic Development for Belvidere and Boone County, Illinois received a 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Silver Award from the...Continue Reading

The State of Illinois was awarded a Silver Shovel in the 19th Annual Area Development Gold & Silver Shovel Awards, with Belvidere's Walmart Perishable Distribution Center project being named a ‘Non-Manufacturing Project of the Year.'Read the excerpt, below, from Area Development's article.The Silver Shovels States with population of more than...Continue Reading

Taking place from May 6 - 10, the 2024 Economic Development Week  recognizes and honors the dedicated work of economic developers, along with their contributions to communities around the world. This is a global initiative led by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)."As the local and regional economies evolve, the...Continue Reading

Capitol Warehousing and the Greater Rockford Airport Authority (GRAA) networked with industry and business partners, as they held an open house on Thursday, January 24, 2024. The open house, sponsored by BDG International, Inc., was the region’s introduction to the newly-activated Foreign Trade Zone 176 (FTZ#176) services available at Capitol...Continue Reading

Agriculture holds immense importance in America due to various economic, social, and environmental reasons. Here are some key aspects of why agriculture is vital in the United States:Economic ContributionAgriculture is a significant contributor to the U.S. economy. It generates billions of dollars in revenue each year, providing employment to millions...Continue Reading

The following press release is from Walmart Inc. 1.2 million square-foot facility in Belvidere, Illinois to create new local tech-powered jobs Belvidere, Ill., June 20, 2023 – Today, Walmart announced plans to build a 1.2 million square-foot high-tech perishable distribution center (PDC) in Belvidere, Illinois. The new facility, located approximately 12 miles east of...Continue Reading

Boone County is seeing a flurry of activity in new and expanding business construction. Growth Dimensions is currently working with 54 new businesses and 31 existing businesses.   The Belvidere-Boone County Enterprise Zone continues to yield substantial investments in locations prime for...Continue Reading

The following press release is from illinois.gov. To view the original, click here.SPRINGFIELD, May 17, 2023 - Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced the launch of the Blue Collar Jobs Act (BCJA) Tax Credit application for eligible companies. BCJA is a bipartisan legislative package designed...Continue Reading

Economic growth is the core of a community’s vitality. The ability of businesses to operate and flourish offers jobs for residents, increases financial opportunities and improves the overall quality of life in an area. But starting and running a business is a challenging endeavor. From the established company to the...Continue Reading

The following is an excerpt from Thomson Reuters, published on December 6, 2022 in the article titled, "Illinois Legislature amends REV Illinois Act; Makes Other Tax Changes," written by Margaret Eisler. The Illinois Legislature has adopted changes to the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act (REV Illinois Act), including...Continue Reading

Established in 1979, Growth Dimensions Economic Development provides a progressive and cooperative environment which improves the quality of life by fostering economic opportunity and personal growth. With economic development partners throughout Belvidere-Boone County, Growth Dimensions is advancing a coordinated economic development strategy to create jobs, promote community assets and stimulate...Continue Reading

A ceremonial groundbreaking held on August 25, 2022, marked the official start of construction on the future home of General Mills’ 1.3 million square foot warehouse and distribution center, in Belvidere, Illinois. This facility, located on 111 acres at the intersection of Irene Road and U.S. Route 20, will...Continue Reading

WHAT IS AN ENTERPRISE ZONE? Enterprise Zones are designed to stimulate economic growth and neighborhood revitalization in specified areas, through state and local tax incentives, regulatory relief and improved governmental services. The goal is to encourage private economic development and job creation. The Belvidere-Boone County Enterprise Zone is...Continue Reading

Growth Dimensions Economic Development's website developer and economic development marketing partner, Golden Shovel Agency, put extensive work into putting together a Social Media eBook. They are allowing Growth Dimension Economic Development to share this detailed guide with their investors and community.  Enjoy this social media treasure.  ...Continue Reading