Coles County Enterprise Zone Expansion Proposed

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Local officials in Coles County, Illinois have proposed expanding the Coles County Enterprise Zone to include a new development incentive option for single-family housing, as well as adding the village of Ashmore as a new participant in the zone.

Why it matters

Enterprise zones are designated areas that offer tax incentives and other benefits to encourage economic development and job creation. Expanding the Coles County Enterprise Zone could attract new businesses and residential development to the region.

The details

The proposed expansion would add single-family housing as an eligible development incentive option within the enterprise zone. This could make it more attractive for homebuilders to construct new homes in the area. The village of Ashmore would also be added as a new participant in the enterprise zone, allowing the community to offer the same tax incentives and benefits as the cities of Charleston and Mattoon.

• The Charleston City Council and Mattoon City Council are scheduled to vote on the proposed enterprise zone expansion on February 17, 2026.

What’s next

If the Charleston City Council and Mattoon City Council approve the proposed enterprise zone expansion, it will then need to be reviewed and approved by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.