Building a business? Take advantage of the McHenry County Enterprise Zone!

Written on March 25, 2025.

McHenry County Enterprise Zone offers great tax benefits

Thinking of building a business, or expanding or improving an existing commercial building, as we head into the 2025 construction season? You should consider starting up in the McHenry County Enterprise Zone to unlock major tax benefits and savings.

The Enterprise Zone is located in parts of Woodstock, Marengo, and Harvard; you can find an interactive map by clicking here. Benefits of building in the Enterprise Zone include receiving a full exemption on state and local sales tax on qualified building materials, being able to deduct half a percent of the total project value from state income tax, receiving up to 8 years of tax abatement on improved properties (location dependent) and more!

Visit mchenrycountyenterprisezone.com to learn more, reach out what questions, and apply.

Applications open April 15 for Made in Illinois manufacturing grant

The Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will soon be accepting applications for the 2025 Made in Illinois Grant Program. This initiative is designed to strengthen small and mid-sized manufacturers across Illinois by providing up to $50,000 in matching funds to support innovation and strategic technological advancements.

However, be advised that there’s a narrow window – the application period is only open from April 15 through April 30.

Eligible manufacturers must employ between five and 250 employees, they have to have operated in Illinois for at least three years, and must have recorded sales revenue in the last 12 months.

To learn more and apply once the window opens, visit www.imec.org/madeinillinois. Questions can be directed to the IMEC Grants office at grants@imec.org.

County, vets groups holding Vietnam Veterans Day observance

McHenry County will come together with area veterans’ groups to honor and share the stories of those who served during the Vietnam War.

The event will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Vietnam War memorial outside the front entrance of the County Government Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock. The McHenry County Veterans Assistance Commission is hosting the event in partnership American Legion Post 412 in Woodstock, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5040 in McHenry.

Congress designated March 29 as Vietnam War Veterans Day to honor the more than 2.7 million American men and women who served in Vietnam. For more information regarding the event, contact the VAC at 815-334-4229, and visit its Facebook page for updates.

Time is running out to complete the Coffee and Tea Trail

The inaugural McHenry County Coffee and Tea Trail comes to an end a week from today, so you still have time to get your sips in!

If you’ve been making your way through the trail, you have until March 31 to cross the caffeinated finish line – visit at least 12 of the 19 participating establishments, and you’ll receive a branded travel coffee mug.

And don’t worry if you missed out or fall short – the trail will be back. In the meantime, did you know that Naturally McHenry County runs other trails that highlight our growing local craft beverage industry, Harvard’s mouth-watering Mexican restaurants, and the interesting and flavorful ways that our local bars serve a Bloody Mary? To check out the Craft Beverage Trail, the Tacos Tamales and Tortas Trail, and the Bloody Mary Trail, click here.

McHenry County, Pace receive $1M for five electric buses

McHenry County and Pace Suburban Bus came together on a sunny but windy Friday morning to celebrate receiving $1 million in federal Community Project Funding to purchase five electric paratransit buses to serve local resdients.

The funding, secured by US Rep. Bill Foster, will enhance mobility options for McHenry County residents with disabilities, while supporting environmental sustainability and advancing Pace’s goal to operate 100 percent zero-emissions vehicles by 2040.

The new vehicles will serve McHenry County’s groundbreaking MCRide paratransit service, which offers affordable on-demand rides to any location in McHenry County. Click here to learn more about MCRide, and the MCRide Connect program that partners qualified residents with access to ride-sharing services like Uber.

Naturally McHenry County has lots of Easter activities

Easter comes late this year – as in it’s still almost a month away – but we want to give you plenty of time to plan your Easter Sunday, from egg hunts for the kids to a lovely Easter brunch for the whole family.

As always, the Events List compiled by our friends at Naturally McHenry County is an awesome guide to local family festivities – not just for Easter, but year-round. Also, it’s constantly updated as local businesses and civic groups submit their events.

You can find the list by clicking here.

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What is McH Thrive?

McH Thrive is a collaborative initiative being implemented by McHenry County and the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) in partnership with the McHenry County community, including cities and villages, businesses and residents.