Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant
On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, Tracy Parsons, Community Relations Manager, and Mikal Washington, Community Relations Specialist, from the Equity and Engagement Department facilitated an informational meeting with staff from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to discuss the Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant. Small business owners and entrepreneurs had the opportunity […]
City Hosts State-Designated Cultural District Quarterly Meeting
On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, the City of Champaign hosted the quarterly meeting for the State-Designated Cultural District, bringing together staff from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). Tracy Parsons, Community Relations Manager, and Mikal Washington, Community Relations Specialist, from the Equity and Engagement Department participated in the meeting, providing updates on […]
North First Street | Designated Cultural District
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced that the City of Champaign’s North First Street has been selected as one of the ten inaugural State Designated Cultural Districts. Launched in 2023, the State-Designated Cultural Districts program aims to uplift the unique contributions of historic cultural districts with the overarching goal of increasing […]
City of Champaign Location Selected as Inaugural State-Designated Cultural District
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced that the City of Champaign’s North First Street has been selected as one of the ten inaugural State Designated Cultural Districts. The North First Street Cultural District, which is home to sections of the African American Cultural Trail and newly redesigned Skelton Park, contains landmarks […]
News, Brews, and Beatz
On October 26, 2023, Tracy Parsons of the Equity and Engagement Department co-hosted News, Brews, and Beatz hosted by the Illinois Public Media. This installment discussed the health, wealth, and challenges of black owned businesses in Central Illinois. Special guests Matthew J. Simpson, of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Tricia D. […]
Illinois Black Business Panel
In late 2021, the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Chicago State University, and Chicago Urban League launched the first of its kind statewide Black business survey to solicit feedback directly from Black-owned businesses. On February 28th, 2023, Tracy Parsons, Community Relations Manager in E&E joined DCEO for their 2023 Black History Month […]
Champaign County First Springfield Trip
Champaign County First Springfield Trip On Wednesday, November 30, 2016 representatives of the City of Champaign, City of Urbana, Village of Savoy, Village of Mahomet, Village of St. Joseph, Champaign County, Champaign County Chamber of Commerce, and Champaign County Economic Development Corporation traveled together to Springfield to advocate for a number of priority projects to […]