Douglas County Economic Development

Douglas County Economic Development coordinates programs for Tuscola and all of Douglas County.  

County Incentives

Douglas County (IL) has a large enterprise zone that encompasses targeted properties throughout multiple rural communities. The Enterprise Zone is an incentive to help businesses who are building new or making permanent improvements to their property. The main benefits of an eligible enterprise zone project include sales tax exemption on building materials and property tax abatement on improvements.

Douglas County Enterprise Zone Information

State Incentives

The state of Illinois offers a variety of economic development incentives. The majority of them are administered through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO, formerly DCCA) and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

IDOT Incentives

IDOT offers two types of economic development grant programs designed to improve highway access to new or expanding industrial, distribution and tourism developments.

Economic Development Program (EDP)

The EDP is designed to provide up to 50% state matching funds road related construction and engineering items. The remaining funds must be provided by local or private sources. Eligible projects are considered based on the need for highway improvement and the imminence of the development; compatibility of the proposed roadway with the design of the existing system, primary job creation or retention and the ability to leverage EDP dollars through participation from other sources.

Truck Access Route Program (TARP)

The TARP is designed to help local governments upgrade roads to accommodate 80,000 pound trucks. The routes are to provide access to points of loading and unloading and to facilities for food, fuel, truck repair and driver rest. Projects must connect to a truck route and end at another truck route or truck generator. IDOT will provide $20,000 per lane mile and $10,000 per intersection.