About JGA

Jackson County’s diverse communities promote and support economic activity and development through the growth, retention, and attraction of business enterprises.

Jackson County is a thriving community of business, education, living, and recreation opportunities in Southern Illinois.

JGA has led the effort to expand opportunities to live and work in Jackson County by supporting the expansion and improvement of our broadband infrastructure. With the support of JGA, the Jackson County Board agreed to hire a broadband coordinator as well as invest $5 million in American Recovery Plan dollars towards this effort. JGA assisted the county to secure additional broadband grants to expand its investment, as well as training funding to ensure these investments are strategic.

Federal and State governments released record amounts of grants and loans to assist with COVID-related economic recovery such as:

• American Recovery Plan Act - $1.9 trillion
• Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – $550 billion
• DCEO Grant Opportunities – Hundreds of Millions for
• Business Attraction Prime Sites
• Rebuild Downtowns & Main Streets Capital Grant
• Back to Business Grant Program

JGA assisted local businesses and units of government to access these grants and also worked hard to secure additional funding the following year.

Another primary goal for JGA in 2022 was to reconstitute the Jackson/Union County Port District and tap into over $600 million reserved for port districts. This will directly benefit business attraction and job creation of the Southern Illinois Airport District.