With the creation of the Enterprise Zone in 1987, Dixon and Lee County have had an outstanding tool for encouraging development. In 1992 Amboy was added to the Zone and in early 1995, Ashton, Franklin Grove, and Paw Paw joined the zone. Each of these units of government have adopted the Zone's property tax abatement policy and have been instrumental in recruiting the following taxing districts in their respective areas to participate:
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COUNTY/CITIES Lee County Amboy Ashton Dixon Franklin Grove Paw Paw | SCHOOL DISTRICTS Amboy #272 Ashton #275 Dixon #170 Lee Center #271 Nelson #8 | OTHER Amboy Fire Dixon Rural Fire Marion Township So. Dixon Township |
The method of managing the Zone had to be revised with the addition of three more units of government. Since its creation each unit of government, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Economic Development Organization were to have three representatives on the Zone Advisory Board. This meant the Advisory Board would number well over 40 members with the new towns included. A revised Advisory Board will have a total of 16 members with ample representation from each participating unit of government. The Advisory Board cannot change any of the Zone's ordinances, but it can make recommendations to the elected officials who, in turn, must vote to change the way the Zone is operated. The DIDA was hired to administer the Zone in 1992.
Companies that invest over $5 million in capital improvements and hire 200 new full-time employees will qualify for these additional benefits: