QC joins Illinois EDC program to turn data into economic growth
The Illinois Economic Development Corporation’s Economic Research Center announced the launch of the Regional Research Pilot Program (R2P2), a new initiative designed to provide deeper, forward-looking research and economic growth planning support to communities and partners across Illinois.
R2P2 is designed to help communities move beyond individual projects and near-term needs by offering strategic economic analysis that supports long-term regional competitiveness. R2P2 will deliver customized research and analysis to help participants develop proactive, realistic and data-driven economic development strategies aligned with limited local resources.
“Illinois EDC is committed to helping communities compete in a rapidly changing economy by pairing Illinois’ unmatched assets with rigorous, future-oriented analysis,” said Illinois EDC President and CEO Christy George. “R2P2 strengthens our ability to support economic developers at the regional level - ensuring that growth strategies are grounded in shared data, aligned with market realities and focused on long-term opportunity.”
"We welcome the opportunity to establish this strategic partnership with Illinois EDC for the Regional Research and Pilot Program to enhance our existing business intelligence resources," said Grow Quad Cities Chief Economic Development Officer Julie Forsythe. "In today's data-driven economy, expanding our access to meaningful insights enhances our ability to support the growth and competitiveness of the Quad Cities region."
R2P2’s pilot cohort includes eight organizations based across Illinois:
- City of Rockford
- Economic Alliance of Kankakee County
- Greater Freeport Partnership
- Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois
- Grow Quad Cities
- Southern Illinois Now (SI Now)
- Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance
- Vermilion Advantage
“With R2P2, Illinois EDC is forging a new path in providing impactful research, analysis and strategy to regional partners across our state - opening doors for future growth," said Illinois EDC Chairman John Atkinson. "When our partners have better data and strategic direction, all of Illinois wins."
Through R2P2, participating entities will receive analysis examining their region’s current economic trajectory relative to national trends and their long-term economic vision, and the gaps between present conditions and desired future outcomes. Illinois EDC will then work collaboratively with participants to prioritize industry sectors and develop targeted strategies that reflect both regional strengths and market realities, creating clearer pathways from analysis to action, with the ultimate goal of economic growth. The program is intentionally structured to complement - but remain distinct from - Illinois EDC’s existing pipeline-driven and marketing-focused services.
“The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is proud to support the Regional Research Pilot Program as part of our ongoing commitment to strengthening economic growth in communities across the state,” said Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Kristin Richards. “The insights generated through this program will further inform our approach to strategic economic development throughout Illinois.”
The launch of R2P2 reflects Illinois EDC’s commitment to strengthening regional economic development through enhanced research, deeper collaboration and long-term strategic planning - positioning communities across the state to compete more effectively for investment and support resilient, inclusive growth.
R2P2 is an initiative of Illinois EDC’s Economic Research Center, which launched earlier this year and produces fact-based data sets and analysis of Illinois’ workforce, industries and economy.
