Economic Development Commission
Building the local economy our community deserves.
Every storefront that fills, every business that chooses to expand here instead of somewhere else, every job that lets a Winthrop Harbor resident work close to home - these are the things that determine what kind of village this is a decade from now. They shape our tax base, the services we can afford to provide, and whether our children and grandchildren can build their own lives here.
None of that happens on its own. Communities that grow do so because residents and business owners came together, took an honest look at what their village had to offer, and went out and told that story.
Winthrop Harbor has a great deal to work with - a location on Lake Michigan, access to the region's transportation network, available land, and a community that genuinely wants to see it succeed. Turning those advantages into investment takes people willing to put in the time.
That is the work of the Economic Development Commission.
What the Commission Does
The Economic Development Commission works to foster the economic development of Winthrop Harbor in order to improve the quality of life and the overall economic welfare of all of its citizens. The Commission promotes commercial, industrial and professional enterprise within the Village and works to expand the non-residential tax base. The EDC is an advisory body. It reviews development opportunities, considers strategies for business attraction and retention, and makes recommendations to the Mayor and Board of Trustees, which take final action on any Village commitment. The Commission itself has no authority to obligate the Village.
Membership
The Economic Development Commission is an advisory panel comprised of citizen volunteers appointed to serve the Village. Members bring perspective from local business, commercial real estate, development, and the community at large.
Meetings
The Economic Development Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the Winthrop Harbor Municipal Building, 830 Sheridan Road. All meetings are open to the public under the Illinois Open Meetings Act, and residents and business owners are welcome to attend.
Get Involved
If you own a business here, are considering opening one, or simply care about the future of our local economy, the Commission wants to hear from you. Residents and business owners interested in serving are encouraged to contact the Village Office at 830 Sheridan Road, Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096, or call 847-872-3846.
Village Code of Ordinances
The Economic Development Commission is not currently codified in the Village Code of Ordinances. The full Code is available online.
