John Wood Community College (JWCC), the Tracy Family Foundation (TFF) and Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF) are launching a new regional partnership to bring the rootEd Alliance model to Illinois. The collaboration addresses a shared regional priority: providing every student who graduates with a college and career plan after high school. Beginning in late fall, the partnership will expand from Southeastern, Payson Seymour, Unity and Griggsville-Perry to an additional three...

August 17, 2026 — The Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF) and Hancock County Economic Development (HCED) announced a strategic partnership that brings dedicated, professional economic development services to Hancock County and connects the county to a regional network. As the centerpiece of the partnership, GREDF is hiring a Regional Director of Workforce Development & Hancock County Business Development, a new position dedicated to supporting Hancock County businesses,...

Living in Hancock County there is no doubt that you have seen a building or two in need or repair or maybe even demolition. It feels such...