Value-Added Sustainable Development Center
The Value-Added Sustainable Development Center (VASDC) extends IIRA’s rural community economic development work to the sectors of agriculture, food, energy, and community sustainability. VASDC helps farmers, non-farm rural businesses, and community leaders excel by providing technical assistance and research on topics such as value-added agriculture, local food systems, rural grocery stores, small meat processing operations, and community-owned businesses.
Program Initiatives
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Illinois Grocery Initiative
Authorized by Public Act 103-0561, is intended to address inadequate access to fresh foods, especially in “food deserts”. Food deserts may exist in both urban and rural areas. Through the Illinois Grocery Initiative, $20 million will be invested in food deserts across the state. The Illinois Grocery Initiative is a multi-pronged policy designed to address food deserts across the state. It supports existing grocers and encourages new grocery stores to open through incentive opportunities.
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Illinois Cooperative Development Center
The Illinois Cooperative Development Center (ICDC) helps cooperatives and other community-owned businesses in rural Illinois start-up and succeed through technical assistance, training, and publications. Cooperatives in all sectors of the economy are eligible for assistance.
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REAP
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) through the USDA provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy-efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.
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Project ReFED
The mission of the Regional Food Economic Development (ReFED) Project is to create economic growth in rural areas by providing business development assistance to beginning farmers, food processors, food hubs, food cooperatives, and independent grocers.
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Fresh Foods Markets
The Fresh Foods Markets program is designed to address the issue of the growing number of food deserts. It uses a combination of solid business practices, community social capital, and two decades of retail experience to create economically self-sustaining businesses that provide access to fresh food in communities that no longer have a fresh food retailer.
Learn MoreProgram Staff
Sean Park, Value-Added Sustainable Development Director, ms-park@wiu.edu, 309.298.1453
Kristin Terry, Program Coordinator, kl-terry@wiu.edu, 309.298.2767