Henry County Economic Development Partnership (HCEDP) is a not-for-profit corporation with membership from the public and private sector interested in sustaining and encouraging growth of existing businesses and attracting new businesses.

HCEDP was formed in 1991 to coordinate and provide proactive leadership to stimulate local economic growth by assisting local governments and local businesses with economic development programs and projects in Henry County, Illinois. 

Henry-Rural Rock Island-Mercer County Regional Economic Development Consortium

On March 22nd, the Henry County Economic Development Partnership Board was presented  with an opportunity to positively impact the economic future of Henry County and the surrounding rural region. This opportunity came in the form of a Request for Proposals for grant funding from the joint agencies of the USDA and EDA. The goal of their request is to provide opportunities for accelerated job creation and community and economic development in distressed rural regions through regional collaboration in high-potential industry clusters.

This federal grant will invest up to $357,500 in the County’s regional development over a three-year period. To apply the application must demonstrate a 50% matching share committed to the project. Only twenty grants will be awarded across the nation. Henry County and the surrounding counties qualify for this opportunity because of the recent job losses at the Rock Island Arsenal.

Led by Henry County, a coalition will apply for the federal grant if the required matching funds can be raised by May 1st. The Henry-Rural Rock Island-Mercer County Economic Development Consortium will apply for the “Rural Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge” grant to spur development in the key regional clusters of Advanced/Specialty Manufacturing, Agribusiness, Rural Tourism, and Transportation/Logistics.  For more information:  Match Letter Packet