Dwight Economic Recovery Strategy
In late 2015, the Village of Dwight received a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration to develop an Economic Recovery Strategy. One of the key factors in the Village receiving this grant was the March, 2013 closure of the Dwight Correctional Center which had employed 382 full and part-time correction staff plus many additional jobs in support industries related to the prison. Despite this setback, the Village’s location, transportation access, and community spirit are strong positives that can aid in economic recovery. Teska worked closely with community leaders to craft a strategy which built on the community’s locational strengths and existing cultural resources.
Key focus areas of the plan include:
- Capitalizing on retail opportunities related to the two Interstate 55 interchanges, and opportunities for additional restaurants in the downtown area
- Industrial opportunities, particularly opportunities for an intermodal facility where the Union Pacific and Norfolk-Southern rail lines cross.
- Expansion of the residential base, including opportunities for kick-starting a stagnant new home market.
- Tourism promotion, including opportunities to build on assets such as Historic Route 66, several National Register structures, and the world-famous Keeley Institute.
- Identification of specific development opportunity sites, including reuse of the former prison.
- Identification of ways to streamline and enhance the entitlement process.
