Benton Area EDC is working with Federal, State, Regional and Local organizations to collect information that will
be helpful to our small businesses in finding grants
and loans to help them survive the economic
​disaster of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We are continuing to edit and rework the website and all of our informational videos. As soon as the COVID-19 Pandemic is behind us, we will resume our efforts on the Interchange Expansion project and our marketing efforts to bring new business and industry to the area as well as to assist
our local businesses in expansions or with retention
​and training of their employees.

After 7 years as Executive Director of the Benton/West City Economic Development Corp. (BWCEDC), Dave Cooper is retiring, and is handing over the position to Rick Linton. Dave will continue on the Board of Directors, and would like to see the “expanded” interchange" come to fruition. Rick Linton has been on the Board of Directors for the BWCEDC, serves as Executive director of FREDCO, and heads up Rend Lake Area Tourism Council. Rick brings an extensive resume of marketing, media strategy planning, and creative production that will be useful in continuing Dave’s, and BWCEDC’s projects.
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Members of the Benton/West City EDC met with representatives from Senator Tammy Duckworth’s office, on possible sources of revenue for the “expanded interchange” on I/57.    Jim Kirkpatrick, Southern Illinois Community Outreach Program, and Dan McManus Grant Specialist,  learned more about the project, and discussed possible funding.

Thanks to a grant from the U.S.Bank Foundation, Dave Cooper, Executive Director of the Benton/West City Economic Development Corp (BWCEDC), is presented a check for $2500 from U.S. Bank Branch Manager Shelley Ingram, and Assistant Branch Manager Alex Mandrell. This much appreciated grant will be used for marketing Benton’s Industrial Parks I and II, plus the I/57 Aiport Business Park on DuQuoin Street. The BWCEDC is dedicated to achieving and maintaining the economic health of the Benton area
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Most people don't realize the talent and experience that is on the Benton/West City Board of Directors. This group of local professionals guide this organization towards the betterment of the Benton area.
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At today’s regular Board of Director’s Meeting, for the Benton/West City EDC, we were honored to have US Federal Judge Phil Gilbert speak to the group about his role as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at SIU, and give a brief update of the school’s current situation and direction. We thank Judge Gilbert for taking time out of his busy schedule to speak to the local economic group. Judge Gilbert is pictured with John Huffman, Chairman of the Benton/West City EDC.

The BRP Building has sold!  After 6 years of remaining empty, Mincon of Benton purchased the 400,000 sq. ft.  building.  Mincon Group PLC has been in business for over 40 years, providing quality hard-rock drilling equipment to various countries.  We are excited about the sale, the prospect of expansion for Mincon, and additional jobs for the Franklin County Area.  Congratulations to Rick Linton and FREDCO for making this happen.

At the EDC office, we were honored to have a meeting with Congressman Mike Bost, IL State Senator Dale Fowler, IL State Rep. Dave Severin, and Benton Mayor Fred Kondritz. The key topic was a possible infrastructure bill and the Benton's "expanded interchange" project. April 16. 2019
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The Benton/West City EDC was presented with a $2000 community development grant from the West City Walmart. The BWCEDC is financially supported by City of Benton, and 15 local businesses who believe in the goals of the local economic development group. Assistant Manager, Sally Storey presents Executive Director Dave Cooper of the BWCEDC with check for helping the EDC with their planned economic growth and vision for the Benton/West City area.

The Executive Board of the Benton/West City EDC was elected at today's annual meeting. Seated l to r: Dave Cooper, Executive Director, John Huffman, Chairman, Dick Rice as Vice Chairman,(standing) Hervey Davis as Past Chairman, Bill Simpson Treasurer, and Mike Brachear as Secretary.

The Benton/West City EDC produced a 2 minute video, plus a 30sec. video, promoting our 3 industrial parks.  TV ads were ran on early morning and 10pm newscasts on WSILTV3, and also on 2 nights of Paducah Channel 6.  On Facebook, the video was "boosted" and sent out to 30-65  year olds, in Springfield,IL, Evansville, IN, Cape Girardeau, MO, and Paducah,KY, and ran for 30 days.

Shelley Ingram and Alex Mandrell, officers at US Bank in Benton, present Dave Cooper,  Executive Director of the Benton/West City Economic Development Corp. with a check for $2500. These funds will be used to attract new business, and provide  technical training and assistance for new workers. US Bank is committed to economic development for the Benton/West city area,  and the BWCEDC is committed to the expansion of the Interchange on I/57,  developing  commercial property at I/57 Airport Bus. Park,  at Benton’s Industrial Park II, and development of the 20 acres behind 
Custom  Stainless in the  Industrial Park.  

We have now added signage to our 20 acres at Malkovich Drive and Industrial Park Road. Signs were also placed at the opening to the 20 acres and on Bunny Hop Road. ​

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At today's Board of Director's Meeting, we celebrated 20 years of service to the Benton/West City Area.  State Representative Dave Severin, and State Senator Dale Fowler, honored our group and years of service with a certificate from the House of Representatives  in recognition  of 20 years in business.

After decades of standing at the entrance to Industrial Park on BaileyLane, it was time for a change.  The “Benton Industrial Park" sign was originally established by the Benton Civic and Industrial Commission to list those businesses located in the industrial park.  The sign served the area well, but the large metal sign was showing signs of age and needing repairs.  After much consideration, the Benton/West City EDC decided to remove the sign.  Mincon, manufacturers and distributes  a range of precision engineered hard rock drilling tools , and located on the corner have been expanding, and a new modern sign was needed for their business.   The old sign was sitting on Mincon’s property, so it was removed, and the  new Mincon sign put in its place.  

The City of Benton has been award $2,400,000 thru the Illinois Competitive Freight Grant Program. This grant money will handle Phase I Engineering on the Expanded Interchange from Rt. 14 to Petroff Road. This is a major step in securing funding for the valuable economic project. Go to the link below for the WSIL TV 3 Facebook page and for more information.
http://ow.ly/S8ty30kny6g

​Congratulations BLUE RIDGE TRACTOR.  Your “open house” was pretty impressive.  The new building, the
large display of Dressta and Kobelco equipment, and such a nice large family supporting this venture, shows
that this business will be a success, and a solid fixture to the Benton area.

At a recent meeting, the Benton/West City EDC hosted a visit with US Congressman Mike Bost, and Illinois State Senator Dale Fowler.  The purpose of the visit was to update the progress on the proposed “expanded interchange” project.  The “expanded interchange” at Rt. 14 and Petroff Road, on I/57 has the approval of IDOT and the Federal Highway Administration.  They support this project and are working to secure funding for it at the state and federal level.  Also discussed was Benton’s application for a $3 Million grant through the Illinois Competitive Freight Program to cover Phase 1 Engineering costs.

 
Dave Cooper, Executive Director of the Benton/West City Economic Development Corp. is shown presenting a check to  Benton Finance Commissioner Dennis Miller, sharing  the cost of the new sewer line  recently installed at the I/57 Airport Business Park.   This 1250 ft, 10” diameter line runs from
to the very south end of the Business Park.  Already, Blue Ridge Tractor is the first to connect to the new line.  By having city sewer and water, plus 3 phase electricity and fiber optics to the new development,Dave Cooper is counting on this to be a great attraction to industry considering moving to Benton.  Any future development east of the airport, would also benefit from this new sewer line

At a special luncheon today, 55 local leaders and Rend Lake staff, had the chance to meet Col. Bryan Sizemore, the new commanding officer of the St. Louis District Corps of Engineers, which includes the Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake. A new commanding officer is selected every 36 months, and the area is proud to welcome Col. Sizemore.

It is official. On Friday, we sold 4.48 acres in our I/57 Airport Business Park to Earth Services, of Benton. There are no immediate plans for construction, but we know that Earth Services will fix up the property and establish business there that will add jobs and/or sales tax to the Benton area. Our Business Park has water, sewer, electricity and even fiber optics availability, and we welcome Earth Services.

US Bank, awarded the Benton/West City EDC with a $2500 grant. This money will be used for attracting new business to the Benton/West City area. Pictured are Cindy Page, district manager with US Bank, Dave Cooper, executive director of the BWCEDC, and Shelley Ingram, branch manager with the US Bank in Benton.

This sign presentation of George Harrison has been up along the interstate for a few weeks, and we have to compliment the artist John Carney for his interesting and eye catching work. George lived in Benton for about 3 weeks in 1963, before he was famous.

Benton/West City Economic Development Corporation (BWCEDC) kicks off their Business Partnership Program with a  newly awarded Community Grant from Walmart.  Dave Cooper, Executive Director of the Benton/West City shows Walmart Store Manager Bob Brothers, the  EDC’s latest development at the I/57 Airport Business Park.

The Benton/West City EDC is  financially supported by 16 local businesses, who know that the BWCEDC is vital and necessary for economic growth.  The BWCEDC is dedicated to bringing development, jobs, and progress to the Benton/West City area.  Cooper says that the local EDC group is looking for new and additional business partnerships, who believe that the EDC organization can coordinate economic activity with the business community and local governments,  want to see planned  economic growth, and have a future vision for our area. 

Today we started running tv commercials on our I/57 Airport Business Park. With Blue Ridge Tractor being close to opening, and we are getting inquiries about our other sites, we want to showcase our new Business Park and its potential.

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Congratulations to those employees now working in the remodeled Campbell Building. Today, the Franklin County Board held a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house to show off a very professional building. The old Annex, which was once an old hotel, outlived its usefulness, and this new location is a plus for anyone utilizing Franklin County Services.

Dave Cooper and John Huffman were proud to be Grand Marshals of the Rend Lake Parade

Rick Linton arranged a tour of the old Bombardier building in Benton. Both Senator Dale Fowler and Rep. Dave Severin participated in the tour, and later emphasized the possible uses of this building and the surrounding 39 acres. With almost 400,000 sq.ft. of industrial and office space, it is large enough to fit in 8 football fields. This well maintained steel frame building has 14-25 ft ceilings, 18 drive in doors, and 16 docks.