Ameren Illinois, Illinois EDC, and Local Economic Development Partners Launch Site Development Program

Illinois EDC advances state’s site readiness commitment through new ASAP partnership with Ameren  

CHICAGO – As part of its statewide efforts to strengthen Illinois’ competitiveness for business investment, the Illinois Economic Development Corporation (Illinois EDC) today announced a new partnership with Ameren Illinois and regional economic development organizations to launch the Ameren Site Acceleration Program (ASAP). The pilot initiative will advance the preparation of development-ready sites across Ameren Illinois’ downstate service territory, helping communities move more quickly from interest to investment. 

“Illinois EDC is committed to driving new jobs and investment to Illinois by leveraging the state’s unmatched strengths—its diverse economy, deep talent pool, global connectivity, and world-leading research ecosystem,” said Illinois EDC President and CEO Christy George. “A strong inventory of modern, development-ready sites shortens timelines, reduces risk for investors, and strengthens Illinois’ ability to compete for major corporate expansions—keeping the state at the forefront of business attraction and economic opportunity. Illinois EDC is proud to collaborate with Ameren on this meaningful work.” 

ASAP will proactively prepare three high-potential sites in “equity investment eligible communities” disproportionally affected by pollution and economic vulnerability in Champaign, Decatur, and Ottawa, by supporting and funding due diligence studies, conceptual layouts, and industry analyses that will enable best-fit industries to be targeted for the sites’ development. Ameren will fund this upfront work, while Illinois EDC will provide support and assist with marketing the sites.  

Utilities provide the foundational infrastructure necessary for all businesses, and as the primary electric and natural gas utility for central and southern Illinois, Ameren consistently performs the important work of ensuring Illinois can offer a competitive, robust network. Ameren Illinois President and Chair Lenny Singh is on Illinois EDC’s board of directors, and Vice President Economic Development Kristol Simms and Director of Economic Development Eric Whitfield serve on Illinois EDC’s Executive Advisory Council.  

“Economic development is highly competitive and the winners cannot afford to be reactive,” said Simms. “We’re pleased to make this investment to accelerate preparation of marketable assets in our region.  By performing site due diligence on the front end, we’ll remove barriers to development and fast track the location process for businesses that want to expand and grow in Central Illinois.”  

Illinois EDC has intensified its site readiness commitment in 2025 with the creation of its own Site Readiness Department. The department has nearly doubled the number of Vetted Sites, and added to its statewide real estate database, which now offers 1,655 properties ripe for advanced manufacturing, agtech, life sciences, or other projects within Illinois EDC’s target industries in alignment with the state’s five-year economic roadmap.  

The investment comes as Gov. J.B. Pritkzer’s administration has prioritized opening the path for job growth through site readiness. A historic $500 million is dedicated to business attraction efforts with the Illinois Regional Site Readiness Program and the Surplus to Success program, which will rehabilitate state-owned properties. Applications to access $31 million for regional readiness projects are open on a rolling basis until the end of March.  

The ASAP program aligns with goals in Illinois’ Climate and Energy Jobs Act (CEJA).  

“Through this initiative, Ameren Illinois is empowering communities with the planning needed to make more sites ready for investment,” said Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen, City of Champaign. “Champaign is proud to be chosen for this pilot program, and we look forward to working with our regional partners to support this important effort – one that will have a powerful impact on our community’s economic competitiveness.” 

“Partnering with Ameren Illinois to initiate the ASAP at Commerce Park will accelerate the EDC’s efforts to attract a business to the site,” said Nicole Bateman, President of the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur & Macon County and Chief Strategy Officer of the iFAB Tech Hub. “Being site ready puts Decatur in a leading position for job growth, and places an important site in the heart of our industrial corridor on the map. The attributes of the site will be realized through ASAP and this study is the next step in advancing development of Commerce Park.” 

“The City of Ottawa has been working diligently to prepare the Ottawa Industrial Park for development,” said Robert Hasty, Mayor of Ottawa. “Participation in this program and partnership with the IL EDC and Ameren will enable us to attract meaningful investment and job opportunities that will empower growth for years to come” 

About Ameren Illinois 

Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and more than 800,000 natural gas customers throughout central and southern Illinois. Our service territory covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles and our mission is to power the quality of life. For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com. Follow us at @AmerenIllinois or Facebook.com/AmerenIllinois. 

About Illinois EDC  

The Illinois Economic Development Corporation (Illinois EDC) is the statewide economic development organization focused on bringing new businesses, jobs, and investment to Illinois. Illinois EDC collaborates with industry, academic, and government partners to grow Illinois’ economy across competitive, priority industries and showcase why Illinois is the best location for domestic and international companies to relocate and expand. For more information, visit illinoisedc.org. Follow us at @IllinoisEDC.