From vibrant festivals and local attractions to outdoor recreation, dining, and community events, tourism helps showcase the experiences and quality of life that make McHenry County a destination to live, work, and play.

Naturally McHenry County plays a vital role in elevating the county’s communities and local businesses through strategic marketing initiatives that attract both visitors and residents, generating more than $353 million in visitor spending in 2024 while supporting jobs, local businesses, and long-term economic vitality.

Investing in education today builds the workforce of tomorrow.

McHenry County College strengthens McHenry County’s economy by investing in education, workforce training, and student success that directly support local employers and industry growth. In FY 2023–2024, MCC generated $227.2 million in added income for the Community College District 528 (MCC Service Area) economy and supported 3,202 jobs across the region while preparing students for high-demand careers in healthcare, manufacturing, skilled trades, technology, and beyond. Through expanded workforce programs, Career Spark training opportunities, and partnerships with local industries and universities at the University Center, MCC is building a stronger talent pipeline and helping create a more skilled, competitive workforce for McHenry County’s future.

From scenic trails and campgrounds to protected waterways and outdoor recreation, McHenry County’s natural assets play a major role in enhancing quality of life and attracting residents, visitors, and investment to the region.

McHenry County Conservation District supports the county’s economic vitality by managing 25,800 acres of open space across 35 public sites, including 106 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of biking trails that help drive tourism and recreation. Beyond attracting visitors, the District supports local jobs, partners with area businesses, protects critical groundwater resources, and helps reduce long-term infrastructure and flooding costs, strengthening McHenry County as a sustainable and desirable place to live, work, and explore. Together, these efforts demonstrate that in McHenry County, conservation isn’t just environmental, it’s economic.

A healthy, resilient community is essential to sustaining a strong workforce, stable businesses, and long-term economic growth.

The McHenry County Department of Health supports McHenry County’s economic vitality by protecting the health and safety systems that businesses, employees, and residents rely on every day. Through food and water safety inspections, disease prevention and response, clinical services, environmental health programs, and community outreach, MCDOH helps reduce disruptions, strengthen workforce health, and support long-term community resilience.

In 2025 alone, the Department conducted more than 4,500 food service inspections, investigated 1,795 reportable illnesses, provided over 1,400 vaccinations, and supported more than 11,400 WIC participants—demonstrating how public health infrastructure contributes directly to a healthier workforce and a stronger local economy.

Reliable transportation and infrastructure are essential to keeping McHenry County connected, supporting the movement of people, goods, and commerce across the region and beyond. 

McHenry County Division of Transportation plays a critical role in the county’s economic vitality by maintaining 500 lane miles of roadway and 50 bridges that support daily travel, freight movement, and regional connectivity. With more than 250 million miles traveled on county roadways in March 2026 alone, along with transit services like Pace, MCRide, and Metra connections, MCDOT helps expand workforce access, strengthen business operations, and connect McHenry County to the broader regional and global economy. From roadway maintenance to multimodal access and expanding trail systems like the Prairie Trail, MCDOT is not just moving traffic, it’s driving economic vitality, workforce access, and long-term growth across the county.

From family farms and local food systems to agribusiness and supply chains, agriculture remains a vital part of McHenry County’s economy and identity.

McHenry County Farm Bureau supports and advocates for an industry that, in 2024, included 1,542 farmers, more than 165,000 acres of cropland, and over 7,400 jobs across the county. Through legislative advocacy and agricultural education programs like Ag in the Classroom and Ag Expo, the Farm Bureau helps strengthen the future of local agriculture while supporting an industry that generates more than $658 million in total economic value.

Connecting talent to opportunity is essential to keeping McHenry County’s economy competitive, resilient, and growing.

McHenry County Workforce Network supports this effort by serving more than 4,000 individuals over the past year through job fairs, career workshops, resume assistance, and employment services that directly link residents to local employers. Workforce initiatives have connected 63 employers with 835 job seekers, while also supporting internships and on-the-job training for 94 individuals, with more than $418,000 reimbursed to local employers to help offset training costs and strengthen workforce development. By investing in skill-building and employer partnerships, the Workforce Network helps businesses grow, supports career pathways, and enhances McHenry County’s long-term economic vitality.

Manufacturing is a defining force in McHenry County’s economy, anchoring local prosperity and driving regional growth through a strong base of manufacturers. As a federally designated manufacturing community, the sector produces the county’s highest Gross Regional Product, contributing more than $1.5 billion, approximately 10% of McHenry County’s total $15.67 billion GRP.

Sustaining McHenry County’s manufacturing strength depends on a consistent, skilled workforce pipeline that connects education, training, and industry needs. Manufacturing Pathways Consortium plays a key role in building that pipeline by aligning more than 100 manufacturers, 15 educational institutions, and 44 community partners to better prepare students and job seekers for in-demand careers.

Through hands-on experiences like its Summer High School Internship Program, which has placed 318 students since 2022, with 42 entering manufacturing careers, and tools like the Common Hiring Application that streamline employer access to talent, MPC helps remove barriers between education and industry. These efforts ensure manufacturers can fill critical roles, keep jobs local, and maintain the long-term economic strength of McHenry County.

Small businesses are a driving force behind McHenry County’s innovation, job creation, and long-term economic resilience. The Small Business Development Center at McHenry County College supports entrepreneurs at every stage of the business lifecycle through no-cost, confidential advising, hands-on training, and access to critical resources that help turn ideas into sustainable businesses and strengthen local economic growth.

In partnership with the MCEDC and with support from an Advance McHenry County grant, the SBDC also delivers the Strong Transitions program, which educates existing and emerging entrepreneurs on how to buy, build, and grow an existing business while helping business owners plan for succession and successful transitions.

In 2025 alone, the SBDC supported 271 clients, helped launch 15 new businesses, created 44 jobs, retained 142 jobs, and secured $1.8 million in financing, reinforcing entrepreneurship as a key driver of McHenry County’s long-term economic vitality.