QUINCY, Ill. — Saturday marked the first Contour Airlines flight to Chicago out of Quincy Regional Airport.

City officials, residents, and members of media departed that morning and landed less than an hour later.

After arriving at Chicago O’Hare, staff took the Quincy visitors on a tour of the airport, highlighting accessibility features, restaurants, and plans to build a global terminal.

Also showcased were more than 70 pieces of Chicago-made artwork, and larger-than-life exhibits.

Quincy Mayor Linda Moore was pleased with the inaugural flight and shared what she wants to see from the Gem City’s new airline.

“We need a consistent schedule so that travelers know that if they book a flight, they’re going to fly out,” Mayor Moore told KHQA. “We also need reliable service that if people take it they know they’re going to get where they need to go, and then, of course, service is the most important thing. You know, people don’t just fly, they want to know that there’s a bit of service should they need it along the way.”

Mayor Moore says the goal for the Quincy-Contour partnership in 2026 is 10,000 round trips to O’Hare, then expand that offering to other airports.

Contour Airlines will offer 12 weekly roundtrips from Quincy to Chicago’s O’Hare.

KHQA

JWCC participates in Tri-State Maker Fest with interactive demonstrations for students

QUINCY — As part of Manufacturing Month, John Wood Community College (JWCC) welcomed hundreds of area high school students to its Workforce Development Center (WDC) for interactive tours and demonstrations as part of the Tri-State Maker Fest held Friday, Oct. 3.

The event was designed to spark student interest in high-demand, high-wage manufacturing and technical careers by giving them a first-hand look at modern equipment, hands-on learning and pathways to rewarding jobs. Students toured JWCC’s recently expanded WDC — home to advanced manufacturing, robotics, welding, computer-aided design, HVAC truck driver training, and more — in addition to visiting area manufacturers to see classroom concepts applied in the workplace.

“Maker Fest is about connecting students to real opportunities in our region,” said Dave Hetzler, JWCC Dean of Career and Technical Education, in a press release. “By combining interactive demonstrations at JWCC with tours of local employers, students see how their education translates into in-demand skills and great careers close to home.”

Hetzler added that career paths in the trades are becoming more attractive to students and families.

JWCC’s Workforce Development Center reported a 34% increase in enrollment growing from 147 unduplicated students last year to 198 this fall. He credited the 2024 expansion of the college’s training facility, the launch of Illinois’ first Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) chapter and connections with regional employers and high schools as part of the increase.

At JWCC’s WDC, students experienced the following during Makerfest:

• Interactive demonstrations in industrial maintenance, machining, welding,  HVAC and electrical systems.
• Presentations on career pathways in advanced manufacturing, transportation, logistics, and technical trades
• Information about Great River FAME (Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education), a unique earn-and-learn program that allows students to work for local manufacturers while completing JWCC’s Industrial Maintenance Technology degree.

In addition to the WDC experience, students will tour participating regional manufacturers, further connecting classroom concepts with real-world production.

Muddy River News: October 3, 2025

The Great River Economic Development Foundation Launches Program to Help Businesses Scale and Secure Their Future

Adams County, IL (Oct. 6, 2025) – Applications are now open for ScaleUp and Secure, a program by the Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF) aimed at connecting entrepreneurs with capital and support to grow scalable ventures. The program, targets businesses and entrepreneurs located in Adams County with innovative ideas, scalable business models, strong leadership teams, significant market opportunities, and well-developed business plans.

The mission of ScaleUp and Secure is to empower entrepreneurs by addressing the critical challenge of securing capital. The program supports the startup ecosystem in alignment with the Quincy Next Strategic Plan, enhancing the local labor market through the development of high-potential businesses and facilitating capital investment to boost the regional economy.

ScaleUp and Secure is more than just a business development initiative; it represents a strategic step toward building a stronger, more innovative, and resilient local economy.

“We believe in the power of local innovation and the potential of our entrepreneurial community,” said Madison Peters, Vice President of the Great River Economic Development Foundation. “ScaleUp and Secure represents our dedication to empowering businesses to expand, generate jobs, and invest in the future of Adams County.”

Once applications close on December 16th, each submission will be evaluated and coached through multiple stages to determine which businesses will be invited to pitch to investors. The program is designed to be more than just a funding opportunity; it is a comprehensive support system focused on fostering the growth and development of local businesses. Selected applicants will have the opportunity to showcase their business to investors eager to fund businesses ready to scale up.

ScaleUp and Secure is part of the Great River Economic Development Foundation’s ongoing investment in sustainable economic development, to support high-growth entrepreneurs and fostering a vibrant, inclusive business ecosystem. To learn more about the program and submit an application, interested parties are encouraged to visit the website or contact Madison Peters, Vice President of GREDF, at 217-919-6238.

Quincy, IL — The Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce, The District, and the Great River Economic
Development Foundation (GREDF) are inviting the community to celebrate the grand opening of their
shared home at 501 Hampshire with an Open House on Thursday, August 28, from 4:00–6:00 p.m.
The newly remodeled space represents a major step forward in collaboration between three
cornerstone organizations dedicated to driving business growth, economic vitality, and community
development in the Quincy area.

“This project has been a long time coming,” said Bruce Guthrie, President/CEO of the Quincy Area
Chamber of Commerce. “Having our organizations together under one roof makes it easier to work side- by-side, share ideas, and find new ways to help businesses grow, support entrepreneurs, and make our community an even better place to live and work.”

The move to 501 Hampshire is more than just a change of address. It creates a centralized space for
communication, collaboration, and innovation — all in the heart of downtown Quincy.
Brianna Rivera, Executive Director of The District, noted, “Being together in one building allows us to
share resources and ideas in real time, which means we can better serve our downtown, our business
owners, and our community events. It’s an exciting new chapter for Quincy.”

Kyle Moore, President of GREDF, added, “Economic Development thrives when business support, community planning, and growth strategies are connected. Our new shared home strengthens those connections and positions us to make an even greater impact on the local economy.”

The Open House Celebration will include building tours, refreshments, networking, and the opportunity
to meet the teams behind these three organizations. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will highlight the event
and symbolize the start of this new era of collaboration.

Event Details:
What: Open House Celebration for 501 Hampshire
When: Thursday, August 28, 2025 | 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Where: 501 Hampshire, Quincy, IL
Cost: Free & open to the public

Quincy, IL – The City of Quincy, in collaboration with the Quincy Sports Commission and the
Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF), is now accepting site proposals from
property owners and representatives for land to be considered for the development of a new
regional sports complex.

The complex is envisioned as a hub for community recreation, youth sports, regional
tournaments, and economic development. It may include both indoor and outdoor facilities and
serve as a long-term asset for tourism and quality of life in the Tri-State region.

Proposal Submission Details
GREDF will be accepting sealed and electronic site proposals beginning today, August 11,
through 4:00 PM on September 25, 2025. Sites ranging from 5 to 55 acres will be considered,
with a preference for locations that offer build-ready terrain, utility access, and room for future
expansion.

Ideal sites should have appropriate zoning or be easily rezoned, be accessible, and minimize
environmental or topographical challenges. Proposals must include a legal property description,
site maps, zoning details, and purchase terms, among other criteria.

Selection Process
A subcommittee of the Quincy Sports Commission will evaluate proposals based on size,
location, cost, topography, and utility access. Top proposals may be invited to present to the full
commission, with a final site recommendation made to the Quincy City Council this fall.

A Vision for the Future
This RFP marks the first step in a multi-phase planning and development process that includes
site selection, facility design, operator selection, and construction planning throughout the next
year. The complex is expected to become a destination for both local residents and regional
visitors.

Electronic proposals should be submitted to gredf@gredf.org, and sealed proposals may be
mailed or delivered to:
Great River Economic Development Foundation
501 Hampshire Street
Quincy, IL 62301

On Monday, the Great River Economic Development Foundation introduced the Quincy’s calling recruitment bonus program.

GREDF President Kyle Moore said Quincy and Adams County have a worker shortage. He said current residents can help solve that program by submitting the name and contact information for someone they think might want to move to Quincy.

“We at the Great River Economic Development Foundation will then reach out to that individual, see if they’re interested, and help remove any barriers they may have to move,” Moore said. “So, a lot of times when people are moving they need a job, they may need a place to live, they may need child care, and we’re essentially going to be facilitating that.”

If someone submits a name and they move to Adams County within two years, Moore said the submitter will then be eligible for a $500 incentive.

GREDF Vice President Madison Peters said there are many resources for new Quincy residents and hopes this program will help GREDF connect with some of those new residents.

“It’s intimidating to move to a new community and so our thought is if we can make it easy for them, help them integrate, they’re going to stay and we want our employers to be able to keep their employees as long as they can,” Peters said.

GREDF also hosts a Quincy concierge program. Peters said these programs are designed to help new residents get to know Quincy and find what they need to be successful here.

The new recruitment program is first come, first serve and is limited to 10 families. Names can be submitted at quincyscalling.com.

Copyright 2025 WGEM. All rights reserved.

Quincy, Illinois (KHQA) — Eight students from John Wood Community College participated in an athlete-like signing day on Tuesday, but with their future employers.

The day highlighted students who are committing to work full-time with a local business.

Sitting in between their future employer and Quincy Mayor Dr. Linda Moore, each student signed a pledge and received a certificate to celebrate this milestone.

“When you make a commitment to excellence and make a commit to stay local and work with our local companies, the city of Quincy wins. So, to all of our students, thank you,” said Dr. Moore.

The students signed with six different local businesses: Sharkey Transportation; Blessing Health System; Gem City Ford; Sunset Home; Quincy Tractor; and Smith Brothers Honda.

“I’m absolutely ecstatic. It feels like it’s been ages, but it’s only been about three years total for me to get to this point, and I feel all my hard work paying off. And I’m just so excited to see all my classmates move up to next level with me,” said Makenna Post, who is signing with Blessing Health System to be a registered nurse in the emergency department.

Adams County, IL – The Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF), in partnership with the Adams County Board, is thrilled to announce that applications are now being accepted for the second round of the Adams County GROW Program.

In 2024, the Adams County Board designated $1 million from the ARPA funds to establish the GROW Program, which stands for Growing Residential Opportunities County-Wide Program, aimed at addressing housing needs. This initiative encourages developers to take abandoned houses or vacant lots into affordable housing. In its initial round, the program successfully funded 57 new housing units, distributing a total of $640,000 through the GROW Program.

In the second round, a total of $360,000 is available to provide developers with $20,000 non-repayment loans per unit. The project may involve constructing new residential units on vacant lots, which can include single-family homes, duplexes, condos, townhouses, cluster homes, or apartment complexes. Additionally, the development of currently uninhabitable or partially uninhabitable structures will be accepted. However, the GROW Program incentive cannot surpass 50% of the total project cost or $100,000, whichever amount is lower.

Anyone interested in learning more about the GROW Program, and to apply, please visit https://www.gredf.org/growing-residential-opportunities-county-wide-grow-fund/.

GREDF will be hosting two training sessions to review the program:

• The first training will be on April 15th in the Oakley-Lindsay Center at 4 p.m.
• The second training will be held on May 5^th at 12 p.m. on Zoom. If you are interested in obtaining the Zoom link, please email Madison Peters, GREDF Vice President at petersm@gredf.org.

Applications are due by 4 p.m. on June 17th. Applications can be sent via email to gredf@gredf.org; dropped off to the GREDF office, or sent via mail.