Our downtowns are more than a few blocks of shops and sidewalks. They’re where families gather, where neighbors run into each other, where we shop the local stores and markets, and where local pride shows up in everything from small community events to Wine on the Fox, Yorkville River Fest, and our farmers markets.
That small-town feel is part of what makes Kendall County special. Small-town doesn’t have to mean small thinking. Our communities deserve downtowns that are walkable and welcoming, during the day and after the sun goes down.
Supporting Local Revitalization
Village boards across Kendall County have already put in a lot of hard work through Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts to revitalize their downtowns and bring in investment. Those projects are led at the municipal level, but the county can help them succeed.
As a member of the county board, I’ll advocate for stronger collaboration between the county and our municipalities to:
- Coordinate transportation and infrastructure planning so our downtowns are easier to get to
- Promote economic development tools that help attract and grow business
- Find grant opportunities and resources that lighten the load for village staff and small businesses
- Ensure county-level decisions align with community-driven goals
Village leaders shouldn’t have to do this work in isolation. The county can be a better partner by showing up with support.
One County, Many Corners
Every township has its own character and that’s worth celebrating. The Christmas Walk in Oswego, Cruise Nights in Yorkville, or grabbing a slice at Molina’s in Newark (RIP Geo’s), there’s potential in every corner of the county.
Working together, we can help create places where someone grabs coffee in the morning, takes their kids to a pop-up event in the afternoon, and meets friends for dinner or music that evening, all without leaving town.
That’s how we invest in who we are, and how we build a county our kids will be proud to call home.