Latest news with #VermilionAdvantage
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Potomac gives Make-A-Wish teen a taste of the islands
POTOMAC, Ill. (WCIA) — One Vermillion County village is banding together, giving a Make-A-Wish recipient a sendoff for her dream vacation. And, they brought the beach theme from more than 4,000 miles away. It was a rainy day in Central Illinois, but you could still find a slice of the island life in Potomac. The village's grade school hosted a sendoff for Aleyah Carley, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2022. DACC extends contract of interim President amidst search for permanent candidate 'I was scared, anxious, all that because I was going to be gone from my family for a while,' Carley said. 'We weren't really sure what all of it meant.' What followed was more than a year of traveling, treatment and trials. 'It's very exhausting,' said Aleyah's mother, Theresa Carley, 'It's, you know, a lot of sleepless nights wondering what the next day's going to bring.' After a few rounds of chemo and a bone marrow transplant, Aleyah is feeling better. But one social worker gave her a suggestion to give the 16-year-old an extra boost. They suggested applying for the Make-A-Wish program, which the family did in 2023. And last year, she learned that her wish would be granted. 'I was very excited,' Aleyah said. 'It's kind of like a shock … I was like, 'Wow, this is really happening.'' Vermilion Advantage gets grant to create jobs, improve economy In just a few days, Aleyah is going to get to take the trip of a lifetime. But for now, she gets a little taste of the island life. 'I chose Hawaii because I feel like that's like a once in a lifetime type thing that I want to be able to do again,' Aleyah said. The Carley's will be heading to Oahu this Sunday, but her Make-A-Wish sponsors wanted to celebrate with her at home as well. 'Our community has done so much for us over the past couple of years and supported us and encouraged us,' Theresa said. 'And now that we're in a really good spot, we really want to celebrate with them.' Aleyah said her and her family plan visit the Pearl Harbor Museum and explore the island, but what she's most looking forward to is relaxing and resetting after fighting the disease. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vermilion Advantage using a grant to help City of Danville
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — One organization is getting closer to improving the economic life of Danville. Vermilion Advantage was awarded an $80,000 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration Local Technical Assistance Program. Another $10,000 came from the state's Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, which Vermilion Advantage matched. Danville may get new sports facility thanks to local legend Now, Vermilion Advantage has a $100,000 planning project. The goal is to start planning and figuring out which types of businesses will be successful for the city. 'It was a little over a year ago that we got the news [that] Quaker Oats closed, and it was important to me that I wanted to send the message to the community that we had a plan in place and that we weren't going to just take that closure lying down,' Mike Marron, CEO of Vermilion Advantage said. 'We were going to do something about it. And so that's how this whole plan came about and it starting to happen and starting to unfold. And it's pretty exciting.' He said the work has already started. Right now, the main area they're looking at is along East Voorhees Street. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
One person dead in wrong-way crash on U.S. 150 in Danville
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — One person is dead following a crash on U.S. Route 150 near Danville Friday morning. The crash happened between Interstate 74 and Henning Road. Officials with the Illinois State Police said that at 1:30 a.m., a Chevrolet Equinox was driving the wrong way — going westbound in the eastbound lane — when it hit an eastbound vehicle head on. Vermilion Advantage gets grant to create jobs, improve economy The driver of the eastbound vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the westbound vehicle was airlifted from the scene and was taken to an area hospital with injuries. Route 150 was shut down in both directions for several hours after the crash, with traffic being diverted onto Henning Road and I-74. The road has since reopened, according to Danville Police. The investigation into the crash is still open, and State Police said no further information could be provided. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vermilion Advantage gets grant to create jobs, improve economy
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced on Thursday that Vermilion Advantage was awarded a grant for economic recovery and resiliency planning throughout the county. Vermilion Advantage and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) joined Pritzker in the announcement that the nonprofit would be receiving $80,000 in federal grant funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration's Local Technical Assistance program. UPS updates and tackling local obstacles | Meet the Mayor The nonprofit organization combines the functions of a chamber of commerce with an economic development agency with the goal of creating and sustaining an environment for successful business and economic growth in Danville, and throughout the rest of Vermilion County. Additionally, state assistance was able to strengthen the grant application to support private capital investment and create jobs in Danville specifically. 'Illinois is committed to investing in projects that leverage that strengthen economic development opportunities while creating jobs,' Pritzker said. 'Thanks to organizations like Vermilion Advantage, and support from the Federal Grant Support Program, businesses in Vermilion County will benefit for years to come from the recruitment plan created through this initiative.' Vermilion Advantage also applied for a received a $10,000 investment from DCEO through the Federal Grant Support Program and contributed $10,000 of local funding support to the project in order to make their federal application more competitive. 'They have to go somewhere'; Danville officials trying to regulate public camping, mitigate homelessness The $100,000 planning project aims to help with the development of a strategy for economic recovery and resilience to target Vermilion County's business recruitment and retention efforts, including workforce development throughout Danville. 'Vermilion Advantage is excited about our partnership with TPMA on the East Voorhees Redevelopment Study,' said Mike Marron, President, Vermilion Advantage. 'This is a critical first step in building a solid plan for the revitalization of East Danville. We start from this point by creating our new economy of the future.' The strategy of the planning project will include the following: Assessment of current economic conditions Industry analysis Workforce skills assessment Strategy for targeted outreach Recommendations for industrial site development The project will also involve data and other analysis for the entire county, and specific attention will be focused on Danville's E Vorhees Street corridor. This area is being described as a 'prime location for future industrial development' to bring in new economic opportunities and jobs to the county. Bresee Babes watch beloved tower fall Once finished, the project will be part of the roadmap towards future economic sustainability and economic resiliency in the E Vorhees Street corridor area, and throughout the rest of the region. 'DCEO's Federal Grant Support Program continues to give Illinoisans a competitive advantage to secure federal funding that will support Illinois communities,' said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. 'The State of Illinois is investing in Vermilion Advantage's plans to create new jobs and economic opportunity for families in Vermilion County.' The Local Technical Assistance program was created to help fill the knowledge and information gaps that could prevent leaders in the public and nonprofit sectors in distressed areas from making the most favorable decisions on local economic development problems. 'As a strong partner in Vermilion Advantage's work to strengthen the local economy, I'm proud to see this important organization receive critical grant funding,' said Senator Paul Faraci (D-Champaign). 'The community in Vermilion County will greatly benefit from Vermilion Advantage's plans to support the business environment by boosting economic recovery and resilience.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vermillion Advantage launches Feasibility Study for Economic Development
Vermilion Advantage is partnering with TPMA to conduct a Feasibility Study (Study) for Economic Development which will review industrial redevelopment and community revitalization along the East Voorhees Street corridor in Danville, Illinois. The primary goal of the project is to develop a plan for this area that can attract economic growth and job creation, thereby laying a strong foundation for long-term prosperity. The study kicked off in May with a discovery phase that involved a comprehensive review of existing data, plans, and resources. Other key components of the project include a targeted industry and workforce analysis, along with a series of stakeholder engagement sessions. As community input is critical to the success of the Study, community members will have multiple opportunities to get involved in the process. 'We are honored to be working with Vermillion Advantage. We believe the Feasibility Study will play a pivotal role in evaluating the area's potential to be transformed into a dynamic business park, laying the groundwork for significant economic revitalization and potentially creating hundreds of new jobs in the Danville community. TPMA is prepared to assist the community in achieving these new and emerging economic goals,' said Teresa Nortillo, director of economic development at TPMA. 'Vermilion Advantage is excited about our partnership with TPMA. This is a critical first step in building a solid plan for the revitalization of East Danville. We start from this point by creating our new economy of the future,' said Mike Marron, president of Vermilion Advantage The final Feasibility Study is expected in November 2025.
