Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development

08/19/2026

𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗬 𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗛 𝗙𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗨𝗚𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝟭𝟱-𝟭𝟳

Over the past few days, community leaders, community partners, disaster relief organizations, public safety agencies, IEMA, and state and federal elected officials have been working together to respond to the large-scale impacts across our communities. Fulton County has received one of the largest rainfall totals in its history, resulting in losses across the County. As such, a Coalition of agencies has come together to help the impacted communities.

QUESTIONS/ANSWERS:

Q) Will residents receive state/federal aid?
A) At this time, this is unknown. The first step in this process is to capture where the damage is, what the needs are, and who needs help. Assistance from federal/state agencies is not a decision made at the local level. Every resource is being brought to bear to complete this process, and we would like to thank Illinois State Senator Anderson, Congressman Sorensen, and Congresswoman Miller for their support. Residents are strongly encouraged to keep all receipts, document all losses, and take photographs.

Q) Where do residents who need assistance with cleanup contact?

A) Residents can contact the Salvation Army in Canton and fill out the online survey. The Flood Response Coalition is working to engage volunteer organizations to help with cleanup (often called muck-outs) and sanitation processes. The best way to communicate your needs is to fill out the online survey.

Q) How do I submit that information?

A) There are multiple ways to submit the information into the disaster database.
Online Survey:

Residents can go online here to fill out the Disaster
Survey Instructions

•This voluntary survey collects information on disaster damages to guide next steps. It does not guarantee federal assistance. Your information may be shared with emergency management officials and partner agencies.
•Report only regarding BYyour primary residence. If you rent, focus on personal property and habitability.
•Be as accurate as possible; estimates are okay if exact details are unknown.
•If your home is inaccessible or unsafe, note that and avoid entering.
•Completion time: 10-15 minutes.
Web
https://arcg.is/1yGK1H3link:
QR Code:
Residents can scan the QR Code in the post.

For those residents who cannot fill out the form online:
The libraries in Canton and Cuba also have computers with internet access and a link to complete the form. The Canton and Cuba and libraries are set up with easy access for residents to complete the form.

For residents who cannot complete the form online or go to a local library, call 211! This is a new service recently established in Fulton County to help bring resource education and assistance to our area residents. If you cannot do any of the above options, contact 211 by dialing 211 or calling 309-999-4029.

Current Illinois SNAP customers may be eligible for replacement SNAP benefits if there was a power outage of over 4 hours or food was destroyed. Forms need to be received within 10 days.

1) Complete this Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) form:https://www.dhs.state.il.us/.../Forms/IL444-1989-IES.pdf

2) Drop it off or mail it to any IDHS Family Community Resource Centers (FCRCs): https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?module=12&officetype=&county=
Lastly, we close with this. This will be a long process, a marathon, not a sprint. Please know that the Flood Response Coalition communicates daily to help bring in resources for those in need. Community groups from across the state, made up of volunteers who help residents in need, are being contacted to pool resources, and a lot is going on behind the scenes. Further updates will follow.

08/17/2026

Reminder, Monday at 5:30pm join us for a recap of the surveys, assessments, data, and community input collected in the past year from Cuba, Lewistown and Canton.
Learn key findings and next steps for Fulton County housing initiatives!

Anyone is welcome to attend. Hope to see you there!

08/04/2026

🎨A New Piece of Community History Has Found Its Home

The new community mural has officially been installed in Downtown Canton at Opera House Plaza!

Community development, preserving local history, and creating places where people want to gather are all important parts of building a strong local economy. At the Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development, we believe economic development is about more than attracting and supporting businesses, it is also about investing in the quality of place that helps communities thrive. Projects like this mural celebrate our stories, strengthen community pride, and help create places where people want to live, work, and visit.

This project started as an ambitious idea: what if we created a mural that the community could help bring to life? Thanks to the incredible creativity and talent of Tracy & Scott at Snowman Studios Inc. that idea became a reality. They embraced the vision of a community paint-by-number mural and created a project that allowed residents of all ages to become part of the artwork itself.

We are grateful to the Orendorff family for sharing the history and legacy that inspired this mural. The Orendorff family played an important role in shaping Canton’s industrial heritage, and their story is a meaningful part of the community’s history.
Thank you to the many family members, residents, and community members who joined us in May to help paint at the Swing into Spring event. Your participation transformed this from a mural into a true community project.

We also want to recognize the organizations, businesses and individuals who helped make this possible:
• The Snowman family for their artistic vision, creativity, and dedication in bringing this project to life.
• The Orendorff family for sharing their story and helping preserve a piece of our local history.
•Canton History and Arts Alliance & Mike Walters for collaboration and coordination of the event, partners and installation process.
• Advanced Rehab & Sports Medicine for letting us use your building for the display of the mural.
• R.P. Lumber Company in Canton for donating the wood used for hanging the mural panels.
•Max Kumer, Jed Rhoades and TJ Davis for the loan of equipment and coordination that helped make the project possible.
• The City of Canton - Illinois for their participation and partnership
• All of the businesses, organizations, and community members who supported this effort, attended the event and painted on the mural panels.

Public art has a special way of connecting people to a place. We are proud to see this mural now displayed at Opera House Plaza and grateful to everyone who played a role in creating something that will be enjoyed for years to come.

We invite everyone to stop by, take a look, and celebrate a piece of community history created by the people who call this area home.

07/15/2026

Did you hear the news? Spoon River College has announced their first female President! Congratulations to Dr. Barkley and SRC! 💚💙

Dr. Shelley Barkley has been selected as the next President of Spoon River College! 🎉

Dr. Barkley brings a passion for student success, innovative leadership, and a deep commitment to serving our communities. We are excited to begin this new chapter together and look forward to the vision and leadership she will bring to SRC.

Learn more at: https://www.src.edu/blog/spoon-river-college-selects-dr-shelley-barkley-as-next-president

💙 Welcome to the Spoon River College family, Dr. Barkley!

07/08/2026

It's been a busy week, but we didn't want to let the 🇺🇸 holiday pass too far without sharing what we were up to last week!

In celebration of America's 250th, we spent part of the week visiting and surprising some of our valued community stakeholders across Fulton County.

Building relationships with the businesses, organizations, and community partners that help our county thrive is one of the best parts of what we do.

If we missed you this time, don't worry, we're planning to keep the sprinkles going! We love getting out, connecting with our local businesses and organizations, and seeing firsthand the incredible work you're doing to make our communities stronger.

*Not all organizations visited were photographed.

06/22/2026

📢 We're Hiring! 📢

The Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development is seeking an Assistant Director to help advance economic development, tourism, community revitalization, and special projects throughout Fulton County.

If you're a motivated, organized professional who is passionate about making a difference in our communities, we'd love to hear from you!

Join us as we work to build stronger communities, support local businesses, and create opportunities across the Spoon River region.
Full-time position based in Canton, Illinois.

Learn more and apply today:
https://www.cantonillinois.org/wp-content/uploads/Spoon-River-Partnership-for-Economic-Development-Assistant-Directorpdf-1.pdf

06/19/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SRPED Announces New Executive Director

The Board of Directors of the Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development (SRPED) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennie Grove as Executive Director.

Jennie has been serving as Interim Executive Director for the past five months and has been with SRPED for the past two years, supporting regional initiatives focused on economic development, business support, tourism growth, and community revitalization across Fulton County.

She brings multiple years of experience in tourism marketing, events, and destination promotion, along with a strong understanding of how visitor activity, place-based development, and community events contribute to local business revenue, job creation, and broader economic impact.

In her interim role, Jennie has already partnered with the Board to refine the mission statement, advance a new Strategic Plan, and reassess the organizational roles needed within the Partnership. These early efforts position her, and SRPED, to capitalize on the significant opportunities ahead and deliver meaningful benefits across the entire county.

Jennie will continue working alongside local business owners, community leaders, elected officials, and regional partners to advance collaborative strategies that support a strong, business-friendly environment and long-term economic vitality across Fulton County.

Jennie is a Fulton County native and graduate of Cuba High School. She earned her Associate Degree from Spoon River College before completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation, Sports, and Tourism Administration from Western Illinois University. Outside of work, Jennie cherishes time with her husband, Aaron, and their two young children. As a family, they enjoy discovering new places, experiencing local attractions, and making memories together wherever their adventures take them.

Please join us in congratulating Jennie on her appointment as Executive Director.

06/05/2026

👉BDD Reinvestment Spotlight: 53 W. Elm Street

The City of Canton - Illinois is announcing the investment of Business Development District (BDD) funds back into the community through the redevelopment of 53 W. Elm Street. This project supports private investment, property revitalization, and continued growth in Canton’s commercial areas.

The project includes building renovations, parking improvements, and site upgrades that will enhance the property’s long-term use and appearance. The future occupant, Midstate Apparel, LLC, is a local business providing custom apparel and branding services.

The Business Development District (BDD) program is a City of Canton economic development tool that supports investment in existing properties by reimbursing a portion of eligible project costs after completion.

BDD funds come from a portion of sales tax generated within the district and are reinvested back into that same area, separate from the City’s general budget and property tax revenues.

To learn more, about the Business Development District visit: https://www.cantonillinois.org/economic-development/tax-increment-financing/

Hometown Consulting

05/08/2026

Congratulations to Walmart Canton - N Main St on their remodel and Grand Re-Opening today! Head out there to shop and see all the fun things they have going on today. 🎉

Don't forget to congratulate the team on all of their hard work 💙

05/05/2026

Happy Economic Development Week!

The week highlights the crucial role of economic developers in creating jobs, supporting businesses, and building resilient communities.

We’re proud to support the growth, partnerships, and progress happening every day across Fulton County.
From small businesses to downtown revitalization, this work helps strengthen communities like Canton and beyond.

A special thank you to our community stakeholders, partners, and contributors 👉 your investment, collaboration, and belief in our communities make this work possible.