NW Illinois Economic Development

10/13/2026

Opening Doors to Future Careers!

On Thursday, October 8, Northwest Illinois Economic Development (NWILED) and the Jo Daviess Carroll CTE Academy hosted another successful Manufacturing & Trades Day!

This year, 285 students from area high schools had the opportunity to explore approximately 30 career paths, thanks to the participation of 37 businesses and organizations across northwest Illinois.

From manufacturing and skilled trades to transportation, healthcare, and energy, students got a firsthand look at the incredible career opportunities available right here in our region.

Since launching in 2022, this annual event has introduced an estimated 1,500 students to local industries, employers, and potential career paths.

And the impact extends well beyond a single day!

Corinna Eisenburg, Client Engagement Specialist at Stateline Solar shared:

"Participating in Manufacturing Day provided an opportunity not only to engage with students, but also to collaborate with educators in strengthening resources related to renewable energy lessons. We will be able to offer support throughout the school year by providing industry insights as guest speakers directly to CTE students. This continued engagement allows us to connect with students approaching graduation, helping them better prepare for opportunities available in this industry."

A HUGE thank you to our participating businesses, educators, schools, and community partners who helped make this year's event a success! Your time, enthusiasm, and willingness to share your expertise are helping inspire the next generation of northwest Illinois' workforce.

Stay tuned throughout the week! We'll be sharing more photos, career highlights, and behind-the-scenes moments from Manufacturing & Trades Day 2026.

More information on this annual program can be found at: http://nwiled.org/manufacturing-trades-day.php



DC Rise Real Estate Realtors Federal Bureau of Prisons Highland Community College

10/08/2026

As a person moves through their career, joining an organization's board, such as Northwest Illinois Economic Development (NWILED), can offer a range of beneficial personal and community benefits, including the opportunity to make a significant impact, expand your network, gain insights into corporate governance, and potentially enhance your career.

Get a "Behind the Scenes" look at how an organization like NWILED works to assist growing communities in Jo Daviess and Carroll counties.

https://www.nwiled.org/pdf/doc-meet-nw-il-article-2-1769807723.pdf

Photo Source: NWILED

10/06/2026

New Grant Opportunity Supports Farm Sustainability Through Agritourism Farmers and ranchers looking for new ways to diversify their income may be eligible for a new grant opportunity from Airbnb and American Farmland Trust.

The Farm to Stay grant program is designed to help agricultural businesses explore or expand agritourism opportunities that can provide an additional source of revenue while keeping farms in active production.

The program is expected to award $5,000 to $10,000 grants to approximately 25–30 farmers and ranchers. Funding may be used for projects such as renovating farm property to accommodate overnight guests or developing new agritourism experiences.

Examples of agritourism opportunities may include:
Farm stays and overnight accommodations
Farm tours
Food, w**e or farm-product tastings
Fruit, vegetable or flower picking
Animal experiences
Educational farm activities
Hands-on agricultural experiences

According to Airbnb, farmers who hosted guests through the platform earned approximately $8,000 on average last year, providing an additional revenue stream that can help support long-term farm sustainability.

Airbnb also reports that farm stays booked through its platform generated approximately $120 million in bookings, along with another $120 million in spending at local businesses. Nearly two-thirds of those stays were located in areas with no other lodging options, highlighting the potential for agritourism to support both farms and rural communities.

Upcoming Informational Webinars
Farmers and ranchers interested in learning more about hosting guests and developing agritourism opportunities can participate in informational webinars hosted by Airbnb and American Farmland Trust.

Webinar Dates:
October 14, 2026
November 13, 2026

Grant applications are expected to become available in late November 2026.
The Farm to Stay program is intended to help agricultural communities create more stable and diverse sources of income while giving visitors an opportunity to experience working farms firsthand.

Farmers interested in the program can learn more about the grants and upcoming webinars through American Farmland Trust’s Farm to Stay program.

Airbnb and American Farmland Trust are offering up to $10,000 in agritourism grants to farmers and ranchers.

10/05/2026

Northwest Illinois Economic Development (NWILED) Membership continues to grow and so does member involvement across the region.

We’re pleased to recognize several renewing members who continue to support economic development throughout Northwest Illinois:

Visit Galena — Community Builder, elevated renewal from 2025
Dry Creek Beekeeping •Tours •Tastings • Honeyg — Community Service Partner
Office of State Representative Tony McCombie — Community Service Partner
UMB Bank — Community Builder
ComEd— Community Builder
Energize Elizabeth — Community Advocate

We’re also excited to welcome two new members:
Otto's Place — Community Service Partner
The Grape Escape — Community Service Partner

NWILED membership helps support regional economic development, workforce initiatives, business resources and opportunities to connect with organizations throughout Northwest Illinois. And that involvement is already showing up in a big way through our new Job Shadow Program. We now have 11 participating organizations:

Lemfco Inc., Citizens State Bank, DC Rise Real Estate Realtors, Gronen, Stateline Solar, Carroll County Housing Authority, feh-design, JCE Co-op, Dry Creek Beekeeping, City of Galena, Illinois, and Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa.

These businesses and organizations are helping students and young adults explore careers, meet local employers and see firsthand the opportunities available close to home.

Interested in becoming an NWILED member or learning more about the Job Shadow Program? Visit nwiled.org to get involved.

09/30/2026

Infrastructure good news out of East Dubuque!

After months of closures and construction, the Julien Dubuque Bridge is once again fully open to the public. (LINK IN COMMENTS)

09/30/2026

September’s stories all point to the same truth: regional growth is connected. Visible jobs help retain people. Employer stories build awareness. Business resources help ideas and companies move forward. Members and partners make coordinated action possible. Thank you to everyone who shared, participated and invested in Northwest Illinois this month. The work continues at nwiled.org.

09/29/2026

A business rarely begins with every answer in place. It begins with an idea, a problem worth solving and the willingness to ask the next useful question. Whether you are testing demand, exploring financing or searching for a location, early connections can save time and strengthen the plan. NWILED can help you find an appropriate regional starting point at nwiled.org.

09/28/2026

NWILED is proud to recognize Baranski Hammer Moretta & Sheehy Architects & Planners, a Community Leader member and an architecture and planning firm with extensive regional experience.

BHMS brings expertise in architecture, master planning, historic preservation, restoration, renovation and projects across commercial, residential, institutional and public sectors.

Thank you, Baranski Hammer Moretta & Sheehy, for investing in the partnerships, business support and regional economic-development work that help Northwest Illinois move forward.

Learn more: bhms-arch.com

09/24/2026

Running a small business can mean making decisions about financing, marketing, hiring, property and operations—sometimes all in the same week. You do not need to navigate every question alone. NWILED can help identify regional organizations and resources suited to the challenge in front of you. Start the conversation at nwiled.org.

09/21/2026

NWILED is proud to recognize Adkins Energy LLC Energy, a Community Leader member and a Lena-based producer of renewable fuels and agricultural co-products made from Northern Illinois corn.

Since 2002, Adkins Energy has connected regional agriculture with renewable energy production through ethanol, biodiesel, distillers grains and corn oil.

Thank you, Adkins Energy, for investing in the partnerships, business support and regional economic-development work that help Northwest Illinois move forward.

Learn more: adkinsenergy.com