Rural communities are always changing, growing, or transitioning based on economic and business development. Taylorville is no different. There are areas economically where Taylorville shines and somewhere improvements can be made. The new industrial park making its way to Taylorville is an addition that has repeatedly been a success for other cities’ economic growth.

Valerie Belusko, the Community and Economic Development Educator for the University of Illinois Extension, has recently spoken with a couple of community-minded members here in Taylorville. Amy Hagen and Dick Adams with the Christian County Economic Development Corporation, shed light on the current issues facing Taylorville economically, coming to the conclusion that with five different generations at work now, there must be a plan for the future to allow the business to remain alive.

When it comes to defining a community, Belusko believes that collective willingness to engage in projects and celebrations brings rural cities, like Taylorville, closer together. Belusko says that Taylorville is in the perfect position to utilize the industrial park to benefit the town economically. Belusko notes the next step for Taylorville is creating more affordable housing.

The institutions of Taylorville and other rural cities have been noticed and celebrated. The strong schooling systems, businesses, and hospitals have created a perfect place to live, now citizens need places to live in.

Belusko and the U of I Extension want to help businesses realize and understand the issues facing companies as one generation looks to replace the next.

Valerie Belusko is part of Unit 18 for The University of Illinois Extension. For more information, you can visit https://extension.illinois.edu/global/where-we-serve.

Valerie Belusko appeared on the WTIM Morning Show as a guest.