By Eric Stock
NORMAL – Efforts to bring an electric car maker to McLean County not only brought the company, they also brought a national award.
The annual Corporate Investment and Community Impact Awards have recognized multiple stakeholders for their work in luring Rivian Automotive to Normal.
“It’s an award given for the collaboration of both private business and public to bring a manufacturer into the community,” Interim CEO of the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council Mike O’Grady said.
He told WJBC he’s confident in the work Rivian is already doing to impact the community.
Rivian is getting close to $300,000 in property tax breaks for meeting investment and employee benchmarks as it works toward starting electric-vehicle production next year.
BNEDC is recognized for the honor, along with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Town of Normal. Other key stakeholders include McLean County, Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District, Central Illinois Regional Airport, Normal Public Library, Unit 5 and Heartland Community College.
The award is presented by Trade and Industry Development Magazine.
“The CiCi Awards are unique in that, in addition to commemorating the largest capital investments for development or expansion announced within a given year, they equally recognize projects for the positive impact they will have on a community,” said Scott Swoger, publisher of Trade & Industry Development.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
