More businesses are expanding within Christian County and improving the overall economic landscape.  Whether inside or outside of the enterprise zone, these projects are creating jobs and other valuable investments right at home.  Companies building and opening new locations include nationally-recognized chains and others which play key roles in the agriculture sector.  In addition, some efforts are helping fill key gaps in workers’ lives, in ways some may not realize. 

Matt Hart, the Executive Director of the Christian County Economic Development Corporation, has his eyes on all of this.  This includes Edinburg, where a new Dollar General will open.  Edinburg is where two major projects have already been fully or nearly completed this year. 

Much of the economic development in recent years has been thanks to the county’s enterprise zone.  That subset initially included only Taylorville, Pana, and Assumption.  Since then, it has expanded greatly, and Hart wants to see it go further. 

The Assumption community child-care center is now open.  While its direct effect on job-creation may seem minor, child-care can be a necessity for some people to work.

The unemployment rate in Taylorville was recorded as 4.3% in July.  That’s up from the previous month, but still below the unemployment rate at the state level. 

More information on the CCEDC is available at www.christiancountyedc.com. 

Matt Hart appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.