Council considers expanding enterprise zone to include nearby villages

City staff presented a proposal to consider boundary expansions to the Northern Tazewell County enterprise zone, saying Creve Coeur and Metamora have expressed interest in joining and that the city has capacity under state limits to expand.

John Oliphant, speaking for city staff, described the enterprise zone as an economic development tool that can include a five‑year property tax abatement for qualifying nonresidential projects and a sales tax waiver on building materials. He said Washington currently uses just under 10 square miles of available zone area and noted state law permits a narrow connecting strip to link noncontiguous parcels for inclusion. Oliphant recommended initiating an application for undeveloped land at the Cluggage and Centennial intersection where an outlot is expected to start construction in the coming weeks.

Several alderpersons voiced support for staff moving forward. Alderson McIntyre said the city should ‘‘examine ours’’ and bring a recommendation back; Attorney Mark Walton confirmed Creve Coeur and Metamora are exploring the process and that the application is more complex for jurisdictions that are not already in an enterprise zone. No formal motion was requested; staff sought direction and reported they are comfortable with pursuing an amendment if the council is supportive.

If the council proceeds, the next step will be for staff to prepare and submit the boundary expansion application to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and return with a formal recommendation and any related intergovernmental agreement language.