Recent News
Morton by the Numbers
1
people call Morton “home”
1
%
of world’s canned pumpkin is processed here
1500
people travel to Morton every day
Office Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday: CLOSED
Friday: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Morton Economic Development Council (MEDC) Annual Symposium hosted March 12, 2024.
Thank you to one of our investor partners, Caterpillar Morton Global Parts Distribution for hosting us with insights shared from Aaron Campbell, Senior Director of Finance about the corporate investment in the aftermarket parts facility located in Morton. Showcasing the technology, innovation, and automation advancements providing a vibrant and quality of life workspace has also advanced efficiencies with the need to continue to hire more people driving their mission and certainly putting Morton, Illinois on the map around the globe.
During the symposium, we had the opportunity to highlight the progress of Morton Economic Development Council (MEDC) current five-year strategic plan, Mission Morton 2026. Enjoy the 2023 Year In Review Business Highlight video, which showcases some of the remarkable achievements made possible by the MEDC network partners, resources, and most importantly business investment.
Special thank you to Mathis-Kelley Construction Supply Company and Morton Community Bank for their investment sponsorship in hosting our symposium, year-in-review business highlight video and Venture Award.
Congratulations to our 2024 Venture Award Recipient, Cathy Kemp of Kemp 208. The Morton Venture Award recognizes a Morton business owner who has made a significant impact on the community and the people they employ through their business leadership, growth, and innovation. Cathy Kemp is a valued business owner who embraces and inspires other business owners and continues to be a place of “connected community” always providing a welcoming atmosphere, delightful, renewed menu throughout the seasons and dining experience, certainly a taste of Morton showcase. Tune in to celebrate Cathy Kemp for her above and beyond admiration for her business, team and welcoming you to Kemp 208.
Program Overview:
The Morton Mentor Program matches Morton CUSD 709 High School students with
business leaders willing to share professional knowledge, skills, contacts, and
resources. Through these matches, mentors share their experience, guidance, and
encouragement for students to develop their career pathway.
Morton High School Students 2023 – 2024 School Year Application:
Student 2023 – 2024 registration form here
Returning Mentor RSVP:
2023-2024 School Year – Mentor RSVP
Recruitment of NEW Mentors application: Click Here
AgTech Connect Session Invite!
When: Tuesday May 2, 2023, from 10:00am – Noon
[Doors Open at 9:30am]
Where: USDA Ag Lab, NCAUR Research Facility at 1815 N. University Street, Peoria, IL
RSVP to reserve your seat, coffee and pastries – no cost.
Session will include updates about advancing the AgTech Ecosystem, opportunities of innovation and research resources at the USDA Ag Lab, various subject matter experts highlighting their AgTech solutions for collaboration and knowledge to share and time to build relationships as you cultivate purposeful collisions with people and resources.
AgTech Mission: Promote Economic Opportunity & Sustainable Growth and Stimulate Innovations
AgTech Vision: A regional collaboration to advance the AgTech Ecosystem with Shaping the Future of Agriculture to grow economic opportunity, sustainable growth and stimulate innovations. We look forward to cultivating this key industry for our region, to bridge the connections and fuel the ecosystem to explore solutions and collaborative innovation.
AgTech Sessions: During quarterly AgTech Connect Sessions that generate “purposeful collisions” creating greater yields for people, products, innovation and crop production.
Connect to plan today for your yields of tomorrow!
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $15 million in funding to support tourism sector across Illinois, through the second round of the Tourism Attraction and Festivals Grant program offered by the State.
$5 million will be reserved for festivals, which serve as economic drivers while bringing communities together, and $10 million will support a broad range of other tourism-related project such as attractions, museums, live performance venues and more.
The Tourism Attractions and Festivals Grant program is made possible with the support of federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and is part of a broader effort to help reinvigorate tourism in Illinois and to put the industry on a path to economic recovery from COVID-19.
Mission Morton is a five-year initiative to continue the Morton Economic Development Council’s (EDC) core vision to maintain a strong and sustainable local economy. The focus of the next five years is to assist local businesses, support job growth, expand business opportunities and enhance entrepreneur ecosystem. These initiatives will be coordinated with the Village of Morton along with key organizations within the community, region and beyond as we strengthen the effectiveness of our organization to inform our network and be a resource hub to help Morton advance into the future.
The mission of the Morton Economic Development Council is to help build a strong and sustainable economy for the citizens of Morton by promoting and supporting existing businesses and attracting new businesses to the community. The Morton Economic Development Council strives to help DEVELOP new and existing businesses so that we can GROW Morton’s tax base, workforce and residents and help Morton ADVANCE into the future.
people call Morton “home”
of world’s canned pumpkin is processed here
people travel to Morton every day
