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Kane County staff map 83 equine-related businesses; committee says the sector may be undercounted
Summary
Catherine McKenna presented a preliminary map identifying 83 equine-related businesses in Kane County and cited the 2022 USDA Ag Census that ranks the county ninth in Illinois for horses and ponies; committee members discussed expanding outreach and creating a centralized resource.
Catherine McKenna presented a preliminary map of equine-related businesses in Kane County and reported she found 83 sites so far by searching public records and Google Maps. McKenna said she used county resources and input from committee member Leslie Juby to compile the list and characterized it as incomplete and subject to expansion.
McKenna said Kane County ranks ninth among Illinois counties for the number of horses and ponies, according to the 2022 USDA Agriculture Census, and argued that equine activity is an important economic niche for the county. Committee members, including Juby and Ms. Allen, said they believed the number of horses is underreported and noted some properties may keep dozens of animals but not appear in formal inventories.
Members suggested possible follow-ups: crowdsourcing additional entries, working with county GIS staff to expand an existing map of farmers markets and CSA sites, and creating a public-facing resource listing boarding facilities, lesson stables, equine veterinarians and other equine services. McKenna said she and staff will continue to compile a more complete list and welcomed suggestions for outreach or data sources.
Ending
Committee members described the equine sector as a potentially overlooked economic driver and encouraged staff to pursue a fuller inventory and a centralized public resource. No county action or spending was authorized at the meeting.
