Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission

09/02/2026

08/25/2026

Community Development Coordinator Katie Scott was recently awarded her year one 2026 Midwest Community Development Institute (CDI) certificate. Discussions focused on understanding community economics. Key concepts included job creation, the circular flow of income, employment multipliers, and quality of life within the community.

08/17/2026

August 19th CEDS Meetings!
Edwards County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) meeting will be held at GWRPC Office, 10 W Main Street, Albion, IL at 10AM to discuss any possible project ideas.

Wayne County CEDS meeting will be held at Bob Boyles Hall, 102 Frontier Drive, Fairfield, IL at 2:30PM. All local leaders, community stakeholders, and local government are welcome to participate in the meeting and discuss community needs.

08/14/2026

Sharla Ewing previously worked as a Receiving Clerk at First Brands Group (Champion Lab) in Albion, Illinois. Employees were placed on furlough leave and subsequently sent a notice of termination due to permanent plant closure.

As a dislocated worker Sharla was offered services through the WIOA- Work Experience Program. She was placed at GWRPC as a Community Development Coordinator Assistant and successfully
updated community outreach files, CEDS data and filed documents.

Premium Guard Inc. (PGI) announced plans to revive and reopen the former First Brands Group facility in Albion. Sharla has successfully completed the Work Experience program and will re-enter the workforce at PGI. Congratulations!

Businesses interested in participating in the WIOA Work Experience Program should contact Southern 14 WIB Office at 618-382-5024, [email protected] and individuals wanting to sign up for WIOA services should contact their local Community Action Agency.

08/03/2026

GWRPC enjoyed a day collaborating with the new DCEO Assistant Deputy Director Andrea Runge at the 4th annual Economic Development Day hosted by SI Now. A range of topics were discussed including funding, regional marketing, workforce challenges and economic resources. GWRPC Angela Peyton was also excited to listen in with Illinois DRA-Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) fellow Nick Holdinghausen, Regional Development SI NOW as he facilitates the Real Truth about Data panel.

08/03/2026

Richland County CEDS Meeting August 6th at 2pm @ the Olney Public Library.

07/22/2026

Crawford County CEDS Meeting August 6th at 11AM. Please RSVP [email protected] for a lunch count or call 618-445-3612.

07/10/2026

Please attend the (GWRPC) Greater Wabash Region Comprehensive Safety Action Plan (CSAP) Stakeholder Engagement Workshop 2.

Session 1: Edwards, Wabash, Wayne, and White Counties
Edwards County Farm Bureau Building,15 S 5th Street, Albion, IL 62806 July 21, 2026, 1:30pm – 3:30 pm (2 hrs)

Session 2: Crawford, Richland, Lawrence Counties
Lawrenceville City Hall, 700 State Street, Lawrenceville, IL 62439
July 22, 2026, 9am-11am (2 hrs)

AGENDA:
1. Welcome and Introductions (5 minutes)
2. Vision, Mission, Goal Statement Update/Resolutions (20 minutes)
3. Focus Area Update (20 minutes)
4. Data Analysis Results and Feedback (60 minutes)
5. Stakeholder Survey Results (10 minutes)
6. Next Steps (5 minutes)

07/06/2026

Wabash County CEDS Meeting July 22nd at 2:30PM!