Jobs committee to form ad hoc task force to study permitting, incentives after manufacturers cite red tape

Kane County jobs committee members on Sept. 12 agreed to form an ad hoc task force to investigate permitting processes, potential tax‑incentive tools and other barriers cited by local manufacturers. The idea emerged from committee discussion of interviews conducted by the county's economic development partners. Committee members said manufacturers identified permitting speed — not only fee levels — as a recurring obstacle for firms considering expansion or relocation. Committee discussion noted that some factors, such as state corporate tax rates, are outside county control, while permitting throughput, inspection coordination and infrastructure readiness are areas the county can influence or study. The committee asked staff to develop the task force scope and coordinate with the economic development corporation, municipal partners and county departments responsible for permitting, transportation and stormwater. The committee recruited at least one volunteer to work on the ad hoc group during the meeting; no formal ordinance or binding vote was taken at this session. Members suggested the task force should research peer counties and states that successfully attract manufacturers, catalog municipality-level permitting practices, and evaluate incentive tools such as tax increment financing (TIF) for infrastructure support. Staff said findings would be shared back with the committee for possible policy recommendations.