DANVILLE – State Senator Paul Faraci is pleased to announce that Vermilion Advantage has been awarded $80,000 in federal grant funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Local Technical Assistance program.

“As a strong partner in Vermilion Advantage’s work to strengthen the local economy, I’m proud to see this important organization receive critical grant funding,” said State Senator Paul Faraci (D-Champaign). “The community in Vermilion County will greatly benefit from Vermilion Advantage's plans to support the business environment by boosting economic recovery and resilience.”

Vermilion Advantage is a non-profit organization that combines the functions of a chamber of commerce and an economic development agency to create and sustain an environment for business success and economic growth within Danville and Vermilion County.

Through the Federal Grant Support Program, the project will support the development of a strategy for economic recovery and resilience to target Vermilion County’s business recruitment and retention efforts, including workforce development in Danville. The strategy will include an assessment of current economic conditions, industry analysis, workforce skills assessment, strategy for targeted outreach, and recommendations for industrial site development.

The planning project will include data for the whole county and particular attention will be given to Danville’s East Voorhees Street corridor. This street corridor is a prime location for future industrial development to bring new economic opportunity and employment to the county. Upon completion, the project will be part of the roadmap toward future economic sustainability and economic resiliency along the East Voorhees Street corridor and throughout the region.