Effingham City/County Granted Another Enterprise Zone

The Effingham community got a huge economic shot in the arm Wednesday when the Illinois Enterprise Zone Board approved the area for a new 15-year zone.

The current Enterprise Zone, in existence since 1988, is due to expire after 2018. The new zone would begin January 1, 2018.

There remains one hurdle; the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity still has to certify the zones. Six zones were approved. City Economic Development Director Todd Hull said the applicants approved posted the six highest scores on the forms that had to be submitted to the State. Effingham posted the second-highest score.

Properties located in an Enterprise Zone qualify for tax breaks on improvements made in the Zone. Sales tax can be waived on materials purchased for the development projects.

Hull said, "This is a tool that we really didn't want to be without. This is huge as far as keeping the City competitive."

The land in the current Enterprise Zone will also be in the new zone, but there are additions; some property north of the interstate and areas northwest of town along Routes 32-33. Also, some property in the Village of Teutopolis will be part of the new zone.