Fairview Heights Economic Development Strategy

The i5Group, along with Community and Economic Development Solutions, Colliers International, and Lochmueller Group, led an economic development strategy for the City of Fairview Heights. The strategy has positioned the City on a path toward a resilient economy by creating a vision around which the City with its public, private and institutional partners can coalesce efforts to drive investment and growth for the community. The i5Group Team worked with City officials and a steering committee of citywide business leaders and entrepreneurs in developing the strategy.

The Economic Development Strategy is a “tool kit” adopted by the City. Recommended strategies targeted: growing primary industry clusters of retail, accommodations, and food & entertainment; growing emerging industries including health care; small business and entrepreneurship; business talent retention and expansion; regional tourism; marketing and messaging; equitable growth; financial resiliency; incentive programs; and Scott Air Force Base. Place-making targeted strategies to different areas of the City including the Ludwig Entertainment District and the West End neighborhood. The i5Group Team developed a detailed list of priority action items and identifying metrics that will assist the City in ensuring implementation and tracking progress.

Download a copy of the Appendix: Assessment and Market Analysis

Download a copy of the Final Economic Development Strategy

Prime Consultant: The i5Group (Team members: Stephen Ibendahl, Sean Thomas, Laura Linn)

Sub-Consultants: Community and Economic Development Solutions, Colliers International, and Lochmueller Group

Client: City of Fairview Heights, Illinois