Hometown Consulting

06/11/2026

Yesterday evening, Hometown Consulting had the privilege of hosting our very first Annual Meeting at Metamora Fields in Metamora. It was an incredible opportunity to bring together client communities, collaborators, Strong Communities Initiative (SCI) participants, and regional partners who share a commitment to building stronger rural communities.

Thank you to everyone who attended, including community leaders from our client communities, our valued collaborators, and the SCI participants. We are also grateful to Compeer Financial for their attendance and partnership in the Strong Communities Initiative and to Maurer-Stutz Geospatial for sharing insights on the growing role of GIS and data-driven decision-making in community and economic development.

The evening was centered on connection, collaboration, and implementation—celebrating community progress, highlighting projects moving from planning to action, and sharing lessons that help rural communities grow stronger together. Thank you to Mayor Dawn Deeb of Village of Metamora, Mayor Leon Ricca of Village of Bartonville, and City Administrator David Dyer of City of Galva for sharing your kind words about your experiences working with us, interesting facts and stories about your communities, and speaking about your current projects.

To our clients, partners, and friends: thank you for trusting us to be part of your communities' journeys. We are excited for what lies ahead and look forward to continuing to work alongside you to create stronger, more connected, and investment-ready communities.

06/08/2026

The City of Canton - Illinois is investing in places where it matters! One of those places is in the development of new business! How are they doing this? With their Business Development District!

Business Development Districts (BDDs) are powerful tools for community growth because they reinvest locally generated sales tax dollars back into the areas where they were collected. By supporting property improvements, business expansion, and commercial redevelopment, BDDs help strengthen local economies and encourage private investment.

The City of Canton is putting this tool to work through the redevelopment of 53 W. Elm Street, helping revitalize an existing property while supporting the development of a new business. Projects like this demonstrate how strategic reinvestment can enhance the community, create opportunities, and contribute to Canton’s long-term economic success.

👉BDD Reinvestment Spotlight: 53 W. Elm Street

The City of Canton - Illinois is announcing the investment of Business Development District (BDD) funds back into the community through the redevelopment of 53 W. Elm Street. This project supports private investment, property revitalization, and continued growth in Canton’s commercial areas.

The project includes building renovations, parking improvements, and site upgrades that will enhance the property’s long-term use and appearance. The future occupant, Midstate Apparel, LLC, is a local business providing custom apparel and branding services.

The Business Development District (BDD) program is a City of Canton economic development tool that supports investment in existing properties by reimbursing a portion of eligible project costs after completion.

BDD funds come from a portion of sales tax generated within the district and are reinvested back into that same area, separate from the City’s general budget and property tax revenues.

To learn more, about the Business Development District visit: https://www.cantonillinois.org/economic-development/tax-increment-financing/

Hometown Consulting

05/20/2026

🍦 A Sweet New Addition to Downtown Delavan 🍦

Hometown Consulting is excited to see another example of local entrepreneurship and downtown reinvestment taking shape in the City of Delavan, Illinois with the opening of AO’s Ice Cream Parlor .

This new family-owned business represents more than just a place to grab ice cream — it is a story of community, perseverance, and the power of local investment.

After moving to Delavan nearly five years ago to raise their family in a welcoming small-town environment, the owners Jovon and Chad quickly became part of the community they now proudly serve. Inspired by the impact a small-town ice cream shop had on their own life growing up, they set out to create a space where families, kids, and neighbors can gather, feel welcome, and create lasting memories.

The journey to opening AO’s was anything but easy. Over the past two years, the building that now houses the parlor was completely gutted and rebuilt from the ground up — largely by Chad while balancing full-time work, family responsibilities, and supporting Jovon through multiple surgeries.

🌟 Their vision was simple but powerful:
🌟 Create a safe, welcoming place for the community to gather.

The name AO’s comes from their two children — Aiden and Oakley — who are already excited to be part of the shop and its future.

Projects like this also highlight the importance of local economic development tools. The City of Delavan’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District helped support the rehabilitation of the building, making it possible to bring a previously underutilized property back to life and contribute to the vitality of the downtown.

AO’s has been open for several months and is receiving an overwhelming amount of support from the community.

Small businesses like AO’s are exactly what TIF districts are designed to encourage — local reinvestment, entrepreneurship, and vibrant downtown spaces that bring people together.

Congratulations to the AO’s Ice Cream Parlor family and to the City of Delavan on another great example of community-driven development.

Make sure to follow AO's Ice Cream Parlor here on Facebook and stop by the shop for a delicious treat!

05/11/2026

We are honored to have had the opportunity to guide the City of Princeton, Illinois in the development of its new Business Development District (BDD), in collaboration with Jacob & Klein and The Economic Development Group.

On March 16th, the Princeton City Council officially approved the Business Development District following months of planning, outreach, and community discussion. This district represents a major step forward—creating a dedicated funding mechanism to support local businesses, redevelopment efforts, and long-term economic growth.

A key part of this process was community engagement. A public meeting was held to educate residents and business owners on what a BDD is, how it works, and most importantly—to listen. The feedback gathered helped shape priorities, ensuring that the programs and future investments within the district reflect what matters most to the Princeton community.

At Hometown Consulting, we believe strong communities are built through collaboration, transparency, and strategic investment. The creation of this BDD is more than a policy milestone—it’s a catalyst for revitalization, business retention, and new opportunities that will support Princeton’s continued growth and vibrancy for years to come.

We are proud to work alongside dedicated partners and local leadership to help bring impactful projects like this to life.

Learn more about Princeton: https://www.princeton-il.com/
Learn more about Business Development Districts: https://www.tifillinois.com/business-development-districts.html

05/04/2026

☀️🎶🥂The seasons of sunshine, sound, and celebration are upon us—bringing with them the rhythm of events and our personal favorite at Hometown Consulting, LIVE MUSIC!

Rural communities thrive when they create reasons for people to gather—and events play a powerful role in making that happen.

From farmers markets and festivals to live music and cultural celebrations, events bring energy, visibility, and opportunity to small towns. They attract visitors who spend money at local restaurants, shops, and lodging, directly supporting small businesses and keeping dollars circulating within the community.

Music events, in particular, have a unique impact. They don’t just draw crowds—they create experiences. A concert in a park, a local band at a fair, or a regional music festival can turn a quiet town into a destination. These events showcase local talent, build community pride, and help define a place’s identity in a way that resonates far beyond its borders.

Beyond immediate economic benefits, events also spark long-term growth. They encourage partnerships, inspire investment, and often lead to repeat tourism. When people have a meaningful experience in a rural community, they come back—and they tell others.

Investing in events isn’t just about entertainment. It’s about economic resilience, community connection, and creating a future where rural places don’t just survive—they thrive.

And we’re seeing this firsthand—several of the communities we serve are embracing events and music as key drivers of their local economies, creating vibrant experiences that draw visitors, support businesses, and strengthen community identity.

Check them out!
Galva, Illinois:
Levitt AMP Galva Music Series - https://galvamusic.com/2026-levitt-amp-galva-music-series-lineup/
The Back Road Music Festival - https://www.thebackroadmusicfestival.com/

Canton, Illinois:
Live at the Plaza, Canton: Canton History and Arts Alliance

Princeton, Illinois:
Princeton's 2026 Down on Main Street Concert Series - Princeton Tourism: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1B64C8Ds9S/
https://princetontourism.org/annual-events/down-on-main-street-concerts/

04/28/2026

👏 In 2025 Hometown Consulting had the honor of assisting in the development of the City of Galva’s new website, in collaboration with Central States Marketing as the lead developer. (Check it out: https://www.galvail.gov/)

This project was a meaningful partnership in helping strengthen how Galva connects with its residents, visitors, and stakeholders.

Why is a modern, well-designed municipal website so vital? Here are just a few reasons:

1️⃣ Public Engagement & Transparency
A city website is often the frontline in citizen-government interaction. It needs to make it easy to:
🔹 Access agendas, minutes, ordinances, reports, and public notices
🔹 Submit permits, applications, or service requests
🔹 Stay informed about emergency alerts or critical updates
When constituents can find what they need quickly and reliably, trust and responsiveness are reinforced.

2️⃣ Tourism & Community Branding
For visitors and prospective residents, the website often forms the first impression.
🔹 Showcasing local events, attractions, parks, and festivals helps draw people in
🔹 Highlighting Galva’s unique heritage, culture, or business assets helps people discover what makes the city special
🔹 An intuitive, mobile‑friendly site ensures tourists or new arrivals can explore from anywhere

3️⃣ Economic Development & Business Attraction
To grow and sustain a local economy, cities must appeal to prospective businesses, investors, and developers. A strong website helps by:
🔹 Providing clear information about zoning, permitting, incentives, and codes
🔹 Offering data, maps, and resources needed for site-selection decisions
🔹 Demonstrating that the city is forward-looking, well-managed, and digitally capable

🤩 We’re grateful to the leadership and staff of the City of Galva for trusting us in this collaboration, and to Central States Marketing for their excellent ex*****on and technical expertise.

04/24/2026

Communities like Bartonville are part of something bigger—and that matters!

As a proud stop along the Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway, Bartonville is connected to a regional story that stretches across the Illinois River Valley—linking communities, landscapes, history, and experiences into one shared destination.

The Illinois River Road spans more than 150 miles and connects over 100 natural, cultural, and historic sites, creating opportunities for visitors to explore everything from outdoor recreation to charming downtowns.
But this isn’t just about a scenic drive—it’s about impact.

Programs like the Byway are powerful tools for:
✔️ Driving tourism and increasing visitation
✔️ Supporting small businesses and local economies
✔️ Showcasing the unique identity of each community
✔️ Building regional pride and collaboration

In fact, the Byway is designed to be a catalyst for economic growth—helping communities attract visitors, support local businesses, and enhance quality of place.

And here’s the key: it only works when communities support it.

When towns like Bartonville lean into these opportunities—promoting their assets, investing in their places, and telling their story—they don’t just benefit from tourism… they position themselves for long-term development and growth.

Because tourism isn’t just about visitors.
It’s about visibility.
It’s about investment.
It’s about momentum.

And when communities work together along corridors like the Illinois River Road, the impact is bigger than any one place—it becomes a regional engine for success.



Learn more: https://www.illinoisriverroad.org/communities/united-states/illinois/bartonville/community/bartonville/

The southern leg of the Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway begins near Village of Bartonville, lush with scenic parkland, wildlife and friendly Midwes...

04/22/2026

👋 Hello from Hometown Consulting!

We’re excited to be here and even more excited to start sharing the incredible things happening in the communities we serve!

At Hometown Consulting, we believe strong communities don’t happen by chance—they’re built through thoughtful planning, strategic investment, and collaboration. We’re a community and economic development consulting group that partners with municipalities, organizations, and local leaders to turn ideas into action and create lasting impact.

This page is all about celebrating the work happening in the communities we serve. Here, you’ll find:
✔️ Highlights of municipal development projects shaping the future
✔️ Spotlights on new and growing businesses
✔️ Fun things to do, see, and experience locally
✔️ Insights into our services and real-world projects
✔️ A look at how tools like BDD, TIF, grants, and other incentive programs make a real difference.

We’re passionate about not only helping communities grow—but also telling their stories. Because when progress is visible, it builds momentum.

Follow along as we share the people, projects, and ideas driving community success. We’re glad you’re here!