Washington Community Profile

Mayor Manier and Civic Leaders – Mayor Gary Manier, who has also served as Chairman of the Board of Washington Community High School, understands the importance of growth and development in the City.
Chamber of Commerce – Washington’s Chamber of Commerce has a hard-working, friendly staff. For decades, the Chamber has taken great pride in serving Washington businesses and being the source of community information. The Chamber has various hard-working committees such as its Community Development Committee, which offer new businesses help in getting started in Washington. Each summer the Chamber sponsors and organizes the Washington Cherry Festival, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors to Washington annually. Contact Carol Hamilton, Executive Director, at the Chamber office by phone at 309-444-9921, by email at wcoc@mtco.com, or visit the Chamber website at http://www.washingtoncoc.com.
City of Washington – The City of Washington staff encourages business creation, attraction, retention, and expansion through Enterprise Zone incentives, tax increment financing, streamlined plan review and permitting, and other programs.
Washington’s own Economic Development Commission was formed in 1986 and has helped create and administer Washington’s Enterprise Zone and TIF Districts. The EDC meets monthly and all meetings are open to the public.
City Staff - Shawn Christ, AICP, Planning and Development Director, has worked in planning and development in Washington since 1999. Contact Shawn at City Hall by email at schrist@ci.washington.il.us or by phone at 309-444-1135. You may also contact Bob Morris, City Administrator, by email at bmorris@ci.washington.il.us or by phone at 309-444-1123.
Heartland Partnership/Economic Development Council for Central Illinois – You have allies such as the Heartland Partnership, also known as the Economic Development Council for Central Illinois. Heartland Partnership provides knowledgeable staff, financing programs, and networking opportunities to encourage business growth and development. Visit their website at http://www.edc.centralillinois.org for demographics and other regional economic information. Greg Truninger is the Heartland Partnership’s Tazewell County Director and can be reached at gtruninger@edc.h-p.org or at 309-495-5952.
Washington Park District – Washington’s Park District works hard to continuously improve and expand our local parks and recreation system. The park district maintains nine local parks and several miles of recreation trails that connect businesses to neighborhoods, schools, parks, and civic facilities. Each summer the Park District organizes and hosts the Gus Macker tournament, a 3-on-3 basketball event of national prominence. This tournament annually attracts over 500 teams and thousands of spectators, visitors, and business vendors.

Allies in Development You’ll benefit from the local people who help businesses grow.
	Mayor Manier and Civic Leaders – Mayor Gary Manier, who has also served as Chairman of the Board of Washington Community High School, understands the importance of growth and development in the City. Chamber of Commerce – Washington’s Chamber of Commerce has a hard-working, friendly staff. For decades, the Chamber has taken great pride in serving Washington businesses and being the source of community information. The Chamber has various hard-working committees such as its Community Development Committee, which offer new businesses help in getting started in Washington. Each summer the Chamber sponsors and organizes the Washington Cherry Festival, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors to Washington annually. Contact Carol Hamilton, Executive Director, at the Chamber office by phone at 309-444-9921, by email at wcoc@mtco.com, or visit the Chamber website at http://www.washingtoncoc.com. City of Washington – The City of Washington staff encourages business creation, attraction, retention, and expansion through Enterprise Zone incentives, tax increment financing, streamlined plan review and permitting, and other programs. Washington’s own Economic Development Commission was formed in 1986 and has helped create and administer Washington’s Enterprise Zone and TIF Districts. The EDC meets monthly and all meetings are open to the public. City Staff - Shawn Christ, AICP, Planning and Development Director, has worked in planning and development in Washington since 1999. Contact Shawn at City Hall by email at schrist@ci.washington.il.us or by phone at 309-444-1135. You may also contact Bob Morris, City Administrator, by email at bmorris@ci.washington.il.us or by phone at 309-444-1123. Heartland Partnership/Economic Development Council for Central Illinois – You have allies such as the Heartland Partnership, also known as the Economic Development Council for Central Illinois. Heartland Partnership provides knowledgeable staff, financing programs, and networking opportunities to encourage business growth and development. Visit their website at http://www.edc.centralillinois.org for demographics and other regional economic information. Greg Truninger is the Heartland Partnership’s Tazewell County Director and can be reached at gtruninger@edc.h-p.org or at 309-495-5952. Washington Park District – Washington’s Park District works hard to continuously improve and expand our local parks and recreation system. The park district maintains nine local parks and several miles of recreation trails that connect businesses to neighborhoods, schools, parks, and civic facilities. Each summer the Park District organizes and hosts the Gus Macker tournament, a 3-on-3 basketball event of national prominence. This tournament annually attracts over 500 teams and thousands of spectators, visitors, and business vendors.