NW Illinois Economic Development

NWILED Awards 2025 Entrepreneurial Scholarships

NWILED awards three entrepreneurial scholarships to aspiring high school students.

NWILED graduates 26 from Build It Grow It 2025

NWILED is proud to announce the 2025 graduates of the Build It Grow It program, an entrepreneurial bootcamp that targeted attendance from small business owners and entrepreneurs from across northwest Illinois. The goal of the program was to offer seminars that equip aspiring entrepreneurs with knowledge and skills to kickstart their businesses, while also offering something new and substantive to more established business owners. A total of 61 individuals registered for the program, with 26 graduating with certificates of achievement.

NWILED announces Entrepreneurial Scholarship for 2025

The application window for the annual NWILED John D. Cooke, III Memorial Entrepreneurial Scholarship for 2025 is now open.

NWILED HOSTS 2025 ANNUAL MEETING

NWILED hosted our Annual Meeting for 2025 celebrating the organization’s 16th Anniversary on February 18, 2025, at Timmerman’s Supper Club in East Dubuque. The event gathered approximately 130 stakeholders from over 40 local and regional organizations and involved a NWILED Board of Directors meeting, business spotlights, guest speaker remarks, and the organization’s annual Collaboration Awards.

Build It Grow It 2025

NWILED has announced its plans for the 2025 Build It Grow It program, a free entrepreneurial bootcamp designed to empower aspiring business owners and entrepreneurs.

NWILED and JDC Announce Jo Daviess County Small Business Development Grant

The Jo Daviess County Small Business Development Grant program encourages local entrepreneurs and businesses to start, advance, and expand their operations. Administered by JDC, the program is managed by NWILED.

NWILED hosts annual Manufacturing & Trades Day 2024

NWILED, in partnership with the Jo Daviess Carroll Career Technical Educational Academy (CTEA), hosted their fourth annual Manufacturing & Trades Day event on Thursday, October 3, 2024, with record attendances.

Build It Grow It 2024

NWILED is proud to announce the 2024 graduates of the BUILD IT GROW IT program, an entrepreneurial bootcamp that targeted attendance from small business owners in both Jo Daviess and Carroll counties. A total of 44 individuals registered for the program and 23 graduated with certificates of achievement.

NWILED Announces 2024 Entrepreneurial Scholarship Awards

NWILED is pleased to announce the winners of the NWILED John D. Cooke, III Memorial Entrepreneurial Scholarship for 2024.

NWILED Host Annual Meeting for 2024

NWILED hosted their Annual Meeting for 2024 celebrating the organization’s 15th Anniversary on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at Timmerman’s Supper Club in East Dubuque. The sold-out event gathered about 145 stakeholders from 47 different local and regional organizations and involved a NWILED Board of Directors meeting, business spotlights, guest speaker remarks, and the organization’s annual Collaboration Awards.

NWILED helps launch new C-PACE financing program in Mount Carroll, IL

NWILED is excited to announce the creation of a new financing incentive for investors and entrepreneurs doing business within the City of Mount Carroll.

NWILED helps launch new C-PACE financing programs

NWILED is excited to announce the creation of a new financing incentive for investors and entrepreneurs doing business within the City of Galena and Jo Daviess County. Renovating or constructing buildings for a clean energy economy is expensive, and now these clean energy projects will become more affordable for local businesses after the Illinois Finance Authority PACE Program was established by the Jo Daviess County Board on August 8, 2023, and by the City of Galena on August 14, 2023.

NWILED Announces a Manufacturing & Trades Day Event for October 5, 2023

NWILED in partnership with Jo-Carroll Energy and the Jo Daviess Carroll Career Technical Educational Academy, has announced the date of their next Manufacturing & Trades Day for Thursday, October 5, 2023.

NWILED releases Midyear Report 2023

NWILED has released a Midyear Report for 2023 detailing the organization's strategic goals, key projects and priorities, behind the scene happenings, and future priorities.

Open Position - Program Coordinator

NWILED is now seeking a Program Coordinator. Please review the job description, and if interested, apply by June 14, 2023.

NWILED Announces 2023 Cooke Scholarship

NWILED is pleased to announce the winners of the NWILED John D. Cooke, III Memorial Entrepreneurial Scholarship for 2023.

Manufacturing & Trades Day 2023

Northwest Illinois Economic Development (NWILED), in partnership with Jo-Carroll Energy and the Jo Daviess Carroll Career Technical Education Academy, is pleased to announce that Manufacturing & Trades Day 2023 is planned for Wednesday, March 15.

NWILED to Host Farming Economics event

NWILED and the Illinois Farmers Union will host a free public lecture event with author and farmer Beth Hoffman. Local growers, producers, farmers, food entrepreneurs, agritourists, and community leaders are invited to Lunch & Learn – Bet the Farm.

2023 NWILED John D. Cooke, III Memorial Entrepreneurial Scholarship

We are pleased to announce that the application window for the NWILED John D. Cooke, III Memorial Entrepreneurial Scholarship for 2023 is now open. Applications will be accepted through Friday, March 17, 2023. Students may download the 2023 application from the NWILED website under the Resources tab.

NWILED Announces business innovation event

NWILED to host two free public lecture events with author Bruce Vojak. Manufacturers, business owners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders are invited.

Informe anual NWILED 2022 - Edicion en espanol

El Informe Anual NWILED 2021/2022 se publicó en la Reunión Anual en la noche del jueves 29 de septiembre de 2022.

NWILED 2022 Annual Report

The NWILED 2021/2022 Annual Report was released at the Annual Meeting on the evening of Thursday, September 29, 2022.

NWILED Announces New Resources and Fall 2022 Events

NWILED recently completed two unique marketing tools and is excited to announce two upcoming special events.

Bring a Kid to Work Day 2022

NWILED, in coordination with local chambers of commerce from Carroll and Jo Daviess counties, is organizing a ‘Bring a Kid to Work Day’ event for Wednesday, August 3, 2022.

NWILED awards the John D. Cooke, III Memorial Entrepreneurial Scholarship

NWILED is pleased to announce the winners of the NWILED John D. Cooke, III Memorial Entrepreneurial Scholarship for 2022.

Manufacturing Day 2022

Northwest Illinois Economic Development, in partnership with Jo Daviess Carroll Career Technical Education Academy (CTEA), and Jo-Carroll Energy, is pleased to announce that Manufacturing Day 2022 is planned for Wednesday, April 6.

David Schmit Announced as Interim Executive Director

NWILED is pleased to announce David Schmit as Interim Executive Director following the departure of Emily Legel.

Winter 2022 Newsletter - Spanish-Language version

Enjoy the Spanish-language version of NWILED’s Winter 2022 newsletter detailing our Diverse Businesses Initiative, second award from the Genz Memorial Investment Fund, news on Amtrack coming back to the NW IL region, and more!

Winter 2022 Newsletter

Enjoy NWILED’s Winter 2022 newsletter detailing our Diverse Businesses Initiative, second award from the Genz Memorial Investment Fund, news on Amtrack coming back to the NW IL region, and more!

2022 NWILED John D. Cooke, III Memorial Entrepreneurial Scholarship

We are pleased to announce that the application window for the 2022 NWILED John D. Cooke, III Memorial Entrepreneurial Scholarship is now open. Applications will be accepted through Friday, March 18, 2022.

Illinois Regional Port District

Check out the announcement about the Corn Belts Ports from the Illinois Regional Port District.

Fall 2021 Newsletter - Spanish-Language version

Check out the Spanish-language version of the fall 2021 newsletter detailing the NWILED Annual Meeting, the first award from the Genz Memorial Investment Fund, a new deli coming to Elizabeth, Manufacturing Day, and more!

Spanish-Language Small Business Outreach Event Press Release

Spanish-Language Small Business Outreach Event

Evento Comunitario en Espanol Para Pequenas Empresas

Fall 2021 Newsletter

Check out the fall 2021 newsletter detailing the NWILED Annual Meeting, the first award from the Genz Memorial Investment Fund, a new deli coming to Elizabeth, Manufacturing Day, and more!

2021 Annual Report

The 2021 NWILED Annual Report was released at the Annual Meeting on the evening of Wednesday, September 29, 2021.

NWILED 2021 Annual Meeting

NWILED hosted 45 organizations on Wednesday, September 29th.

NWILED Summer 2021 Newsletter

Check out the summer 2021 newsletter detailing the Workforce Housing Study, Riverport Railroad, upcoming special events, the Made in NW IL series, and more!

2021 Build It Grow It Entrepreneurial Scholarship

On May 20, 2021 NWILED awarded Kaitlin Kilgore, a graduating senior from River Ridge High School, the 2021 Build It Grow It Entrepreneurial Scholarship.

NWILED Spring Newsletter

Check out the spring 2021 newsletter including the Genz Memorial Investment Fund, the relocation guide, and more!

Jo Daviess County Releases New Resident Welcome Kit

HANOVER, IL – Northwest Illinois Economic Development (NWILED), Galena Area Chamber of Commerce, and Galena Country Tourism is pleased to announce the release of the Jo Daviess County New Resident Welcome Kit.

NEWS TIP - Upper Mississippi River Strong Webinar

A workshop to advance opportunities and support innovation for Upper Mississippi River ports and terminals is scheduled for Wednesday, March 31 from 9:00 AM to Noon.

NWILED Winter 2020 Newsletter

Curious to see what's happening in the NW Illinois business world? Check out the Winter 2020 edition of the NWILED newsletter.

NWILED WelcomesNew Board Member, Addition to the Executive Committee

NWILED welcomes Amiee Schoenhaar of Riverport Railroad to the Board

NWILED Announces New Goals

4th Annual Seed Money Competition

Does your business have an emerging new product or service? Consider presenting at NW Illinois Economic Development‘s (NWILED) 4th Annual Seed Money Competition.

Updated COVID-19 Resources

Position Open

NWILED hiring a new program coordinator! Click to learn more.

NWILED Welcomes New Additions to Executive Board

NWILED welcomes Joe Mattingley and Kathy Gable to Executive Board

NW Illinois COVID-19 Resources

A list of COVID-19 Resources for area businesses. For immediate assistance, please call our office at 815-297-7361.

10th Anniversary Annual Meeting

Another sold out event for NWILED to celebrate its 10th Anniversary!

2019 NW Illinois Economic Development Collaboration Awards

Congratulations to those awarded 2019 NW Illinois Economic Development Collaboration Awards.

Opportunity Zones in NW IL

Savanna, IL is preparing for investment using federally-designated Opportunity Zones.

For a map of Opportunity Zones in northwest Illinois, visit https://www.illinois.gov/dceo/Pages/OppZn.aspx.

NW Illinois Opportunity Zones

NW Illinois Economic Development's applications for two federally-designated Opportunity Zones in Stockton, IL and Savanna, IL were approved! Opportunity Zones provide investment opportunities in designated zones in order to reduce or eliminate a prior capital gain.

For a map of Opportunity Zones in northwest Illinois, visit https://www.illinois.gov/dceo/Pages/OppZn.aspx.

2018 Entrepreneurial Scholarship Award

Our first-ever Build it • Grow it Entrepreneurial Scholarship for high school seniors is awarded to...

2018 NW Illinois Economic Development Collaboration Awards

The 2018 Collaboration Awards featured a 138-year old business, a nonprofit serving 16 counties, and a volunteer collaborator who convinced 50 citizens to provide $2,500 each, and to volunteer their time and talent by buying and rehabilitating old structures in their downtown.