Brayden Bledsoe

The economic recovery plan for the City of Monmouth focuses on promoting growth, resilience, and prosperity in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Key priorities include establishing an economic development model, addressing housing and water infrastructure needs, transforming Monmouth into a vibrant destination, fostering integration and inclusion of immigrant communities, developing revenue sources, creating economic recovery and resiliency from COVID-19, and pursuing long-term economic development strategies. The plan emphasizes adaptability, collaboration, and continuous monitoring to ensure its success in building a more vibrant and resilient economy for all residents and businesses.

This strategic plan outlines a five-year roadmap for the revitalization of downtown Monmouth, Illinois, building upon a previous five-year effort. The plan focuses on five key pillars: Business Development (existing business stewardship, local entrepreneurship, and business recruitment), Arts and Culture (events, enterprises, and farmers market), Physical Restoration (building renovation, downtown residential living, traffic calming and pedestrian safety, streetscaping, drainage, and parking), Community Development (nonprofit web programs, makerspace, education programs, new resident guides, smartphone walking tours, and virtual museum), and Marketing (website updates, event marketing, social media training, and branding). The plan aims to create a vibrant, economically sustainable downtown that serves as a social hub for the community, attracting both residents and visitors.