Combining deep agricultural roots with vibrant industry and tourism, Henry County stands out for its strong sense of community support. Kippy Breeden, Henry County Board Chairman boasts,“We’re a group of wholesome communities that work together.Your neighbor isn’t just the person next door.Throughout the county, we’re there for everyone.” FOSTERING GROWTH Jim Kelly, Economic Development Director, emphasizes, “We want to sustain Henry County, maintain our current employment levels, and add opportunities for increased employment. We do this through a number of mechanisms, but driving growth with local incentives is a key factor.” He notes that although the county itself does not operate TIF (Tax Incentive Financing) districts, there are 24 of them in its 15 municipalities.The Enterprise Zone, which covers much of the county, is another valuable tool, offering tax abatements and helping to offset building expenses for up to five years. “We’ve had some pretty large projects with that,” he continues. “We have one facility, it was over a $15 million build. That became extremely substantial, because the Enterprise Zone allowed this company to stay in Henry County and continue to manufacture their product here.” Along with these, a revolving loan fund (RLF) supports businesses by addressing financial gaps. “I’m the administrator of this, but it’s a team effort,” Kelly relays. “We have been able to grow the revolving loan fund from approximately 10 or 11 loans to where we are currently operating at 53 active loans in the county.” Notable successes include Uniflyte, Revolute Machine, and Midwest Massage Therapy. “Uniflyte is a prime example of why this works,” expands Kelly.“They won the bid for CNH combines to make the augers, which were being made overseas. We were able to help them buy the machine to make these augers and bring 10 to 15 jobs into the town of Orion.” The County is fortunate to have the Hammond-Henry Hospital in its boundaries. Celebrating 125 years in operation in 2026, it is one of the County’s largest and most valuable employers. Midwest Massage Therapy not only attracts local customers but also draws visitors from the surrounding area, making it a destination for wellness services. All RLF loans undergo a review 155 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01 HENRY COUNTY, IL
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