How to revitalize downtown areas in rural Illinois communities was the topic of a recent University of Illinois Extension presentation. A 2023 survey of rural challenges revealed that inactive downtowns are an ongoing problem for rural communities. Pam Schallhorn, University of Illinois Extension specialist in Community and Economic Development, says downtown events will lure people to town…

"It doesn't have to be a one-time thing, nor does it have to be perfect. But you have to bring things, events downtown," Schallhorn said. "Just start bringing events to be seen downtown; the more the better."

Schallhorn says preserving a downtown area may be an option for many communities…. "historic tax credits help tp preserve some of a town's history, but it's not always practical."

Due to a changing landscape, Schallhorn says relying on retail to support a downtown is not realistic, and a town like LaSalle is an outlier.  Ottawa and Centralia have made strides to make their downtowns attractive.

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