State Renews Local Enterprise Zone as Economic Development Tool

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has renewed the Enterprise Zone that includes much of Effingham County.

Enterprise Zones are an economic development tool used to encourage job growth and investment in economically underserved communities. Companies and organizations within a zone may qualify for various tax incentives, including sales tax exemptions for qualifying building materials, investment tax credits, utility tax exemptions or other various local incentives. 

Once designated, an Enterprise Zone maintains its designation for 15 years, and its boundaries are subject to change based on the request of local officials. The Enterprise Zone Board will review the zone after 13 years to determine a possible 10-year extension of the designation.

The Enterprise Zone approved includes much of Altamont as well as an extension north along Illinois Route 128 to and including parts of Beecher City.