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SCAM ALERT: DCEO has been made aware of organizations receiving fraudulent “notice of award” letters claiming to be from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. These are not legitimate notices from DCEO. If your organization receives a notice, please report it to the Federal Trade Commission and/or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Illinois Southern Region

Regional Hubs

  • Carbondale
  • Marion
  • Mount Vernon
  • Harrisburg
  • West Frankfort

Counties

  • Williamson
  • Jackson
  • Franklin
  • Jefferson
  • Saline
  • Perry
  • Union
  • Wayne
  • Massac
  • White
  • Johnson
  • Wabash
  • Hamilton
  • Edwards
  • Alexander
  • Pulaski
  • Gallatin
  • Pope
  • Hardin

Key Industries

  • Transportation
  • Distribution Logistics
  • Manufacturing-Automotive

Major Employers and Headquarters

Large Employers:

Corporate HQ:

Higher Education

Unique Facts

  • Population 375,000; Workforce 142,000+
  • Four of state’s 13 Port Districts; three Class 1 railroads; 3 interstate highways
  • Awarded a $13.9M grant from U.S. Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development
  • Located between the nation’s mightiest rivers – the Mississippi and Ohio

Region Specific Assistance

Darrell Hampsten
Southern Senior Regional Manager
217-986-0641
Darrell.Hampsten@Illinois.gov

The Illinois Department of Commerce is Your One-Stop Resource

  • Site Selection
  • Customized Workforce Training
  • Regional & Local Collaboration
  • Expedited Permitting, Licensing & Other Approvals
  • Connection to Key Stakeholders and Civic & Business Partners
  • Potential Financial Support
  • And more!