Broadband Breakthrough Initiative
Vermilion Advantage is happy to announce it has partnered with several community and government leaders, and organizations to lead a program designed to advocate for federal funds for reliable, speedy internet throughout the County, and particularly the more rural areas in the unincorporated areas of the County. Improved broadband internet access is vital for economic development, education, public safety, and all aspects of County development forward. The State of Illinois has one million dollars to spread out for underserved areas of the State.
Vermilion County is underserved and should position itself to receive funds to enhance this vital service. The steps we are taking now will enhance the County’s position to take advantage of this program.
More Information
The program we have joined is the Illinois Broadband Breakthrough program through the University of Illinois Extension Service, the Soybean Association, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, and others. We meet weekly to advance the County’s need for this vital infrastructure.
Local leaders, governments, and community organizations include the Farm Bureau, DACC, Vermilion County, the Superintendent of Vermilion County Schools, the Vermilion County Sheriff’s Department and 911, and other volunteers.
We are committed to advancing this vital economic cause and will be continuously recruiting people to help us. Our greatest need right now is for volunteers to help us conduct a survey throughout the County. A commitment to community service, improved quality of life, common sense, and practical life experience are required! Groups and organizations looking to assist in growing a reliable broadband system in the County, please join us.
Survey Information
We are asking people throughout the County to take the internet access survey through the link provided below and to encourage their friends and families to take the survey as well. The survey will help us create a solid map of where we lack reliable and affordable internet access. That map and the data derived from the survey will be used to apply for funds to build an affordable, reliable broadband system throughout Vermilion County.
Here is the online survey: https://go.illinois.edu/ConnectVermilion
You can also print hard copies of the survey and return them to:
Vermilion County Broadband Infrastructure Survey (English)
Vermilion County Broadband Infrastructure Survey (Spanish)
Vermilion Advantage
15 N Walnut St.
Danville, IL 61832
Any questions can be sent to: mike@vermilionadvantage.com
Cultural Opportunities
New residents of Vermilion County will be delighted with the vibrant and active arts community.
You will be awed by the Danville Symphony Orchestra; sing along with the Danville Municipal Band; ask for an encore from the community theater groups DLO Musical Theatre and Red Mask Players; and be charmed by the musical talents of the Vermilion Festival Chorus, Sweet Adeline’s, and Barbershop groups to name but a few.
Our spectacular seasonal events bring residents together and draw visitors from outside of the area. Some of the events not to be missed include Arts in the Park, summer event Balloons over Vermilion at the Vermilion Regional Airport, the Hoopeston Sweet Corn Festival, the Festival of Trees at Christmastime, Vermilion County Civil War Days, and many more.
Education
In Vermilion County, you may be surprised to find that our system of education – from childcare and Pre-K, to 24 elementary schools and 12 high schools, to higher education and training – is award winning and remarkably extensive for a community of our size.
We are nationally recognized for our collaborations at all educational levels. Employers are active partners with education to ensure our students are prepared for a global economy.
We understand that one of the most important decisions about where to locate is making sure your children and family are in the right place.
The system begins with caring daycare and Pre-K education for children in faith-based, public or private settings. See link below for a daycare/preschool list.
If you are interested in public education in the city of Danville, District 118 takes quality, hands-on education to a whole new level. Besides offering strong, traditional classroom education that prepares students for higher education, the world of work, and being a better citizen of the world, here are some things that might surprise you.
- Gifted program beginning at 3rd grade
- Advanced placement, dual credit courses at Danville High School
- Exciting magnet elementary school with great parent involvement and outstanding student achievement
- Standout music, athletic, and arts programs throughout elementary and high school
Innovative “House” structure at DHS.The Global Learning House develops students to contribute and thrive in the global economy. Foreign language is a staple including Spanish, French and even Mandarin! The ACE House integrates arts into the academic curriculum to develop remarkable creativity. The New Tech High focuses on project based learning where technology and inquiry are used to engage students with issues and questions that are relevant to their lives.
The community offers strong choices for faith-based education – from Pre-K through high school. Students and parents appreciate the small class sizes, caring faculty, outstanding academic and extracurricular programs, strong college preparatory programs, and the fact that 96-100% of graduates go on to attend college. All in an environment based on faith principles.
If you prefer a quieter daily life and want to locate in one of Vermilion County’s small towns, the school districts are the center of community life. At those schools, you might be surprised to find:
- Award-winning high school newspapers
- Innovative, hands-on teaching and learning happening in small classes
- Active drama, music, and art programs where students shine
- Athletics where virtually every student finds a place
- College prep and AP courses
- Teachers and educators who are active with students outside the classroom.
Higher education in the community begins with Danville Area Community College. This public 2-year college offers some surprising opportunities for people at every season of life. Vocational coursework, college prep courses that are guaranteed to transfer to top universities, a wide variety of online courses that have become 20% of student enrollment, innovative programs and courses not found in other places, and all taught by outstanding professors. DACC has had four National Teachers of the Year. Eastern Illinois University also offers baccalaureate coursework on campus.
Lakeview College of Nursing (LCN) began in Danville in 1894. They continue to offer nursing education and provide an outstanding pathway to college juniors and seniors who wish to earn a bachelor’s degree and become Registered Nurses (RNs). LCN uses state-of-the-art leaning techniques that provide students with interactive lectures, a skills lab that includes work on computerized simulators, and a wide variety of clinical experiences in hospitals and clinics within the area. LCN’s small size and outstanding facility allow them to be laser-focused on making each student successful.
Four-year universities within an hour’s drive include the University of Illinois (30 miles), which features a renowned Executive MBA program; Purdue University (45 miles); Indiana State University (59 miles); Ivy Tech (59 miles); and Eastern Illinois University (70 miles).
As people move to a later season of life, the community offers a unique mix of services and opportunities including: active residential retirement villages; assisted living; CRIS senior services, a one-stop resource for seniors and their caregivers; in-home meals for seniors.
- Armstrong-Ellis GS Dist #61
- Armstrong Twp. HS Dist #225
- Bismarck-Henning Dist #1
- Children’s Dyslexia Center E Central IL
- Trinity Lutheran School
- Danville Public Schools
- Danville Area Comm. Coll.
- First Baptist Christian School
- Georgetown-Ridge Farm Dist #4
- Hoopeston Dist #11
- Lakeview College of Nursing
- Oakwood Dist #76
- Potomac GS Dist #10
- Rossville Dist #7
- Salt Fork Dist #512 (Catlin/Jamaica)
- Schlarman Academy
- Westville Dist #2
Faith Based Facilities
The area has a number of churches of all sizes, racial and ethnic mixes, and 58 different denominations.
Whether you are looking for a smaller place to worship or prefer a church with well over a thousand people, Vermilion County offers active faith-based experiences for every season of life. Services are also conducted in Spanish at Holy Family Parish and First Baptist Church.
Healthcare
Healthcare choice in Vermilion County is a place where you will enjoy the best of all worlds. By drawing on a service area of over 100,000 people, you will be surprised to find specialty care and advanced technology not normally found in a community of this size.
Housing
One of the most pleasant surprises is coming home to Vermilion County.
Our cost of living is a full 10% less than the national average. But wait… this means “less” only in the areas that matter. It means you will find more of your income available for other things. It means that you will find yourself in a home with more amenities than you ever imagined possible. It may also mean you could find yourself with the ability to invest in a home purchase rather than renting.
The possibilities are endless – a home on the lake in the heart of the community, a new home in a quiet subdivision, a beautifully restored older home on a tree-lined street, a country or small community setting, or senior living options for anyone in your family – you will find a comfortable, affordable option in Vermilion County. All of this without a long commute – every location is within minutes of every major employer.
Vermilion Advantage takes a customized approach to working with any new professional considering relocation to our area to take a position with one of our employers. By learning about personal and family needs and interests, our team can point a candidate to living options, extracurricular activities, schooling and activities for children, spousal employment or whatever else is important as a relocation consideration. Our goal is to help make a candidate’s move to our area as seamless as possible.
For additional information or to hear more, please contact us at 217-442-6201.
When you want to slip away for a day, an evening or a weekend, you’ll find major highways that lead you directly to Indianapolis in a little over an hour to the east, to Chicago in just over two hours to the north, and to St. Louis about three hours to the south and west.
Our Communities
Vermilion County is 900 square miles in size, with 21 incorporated communities operating under their own governmental structures. Each is unique in size and in their community visions. Together, these individual communities make Vermilion County a strong and vibrant leader in the East Central Illinois region.
- Village of Allerton
- Village of Alvin
- Village of Belgium
- Village of Bismarck
- Village of Catlin
- City of Danville
- Village of Fairmount
- Village of Fithian
- City of Georgetown
- Village of Henning
- City of Hoopeston
- Village of Indianola
- Village of Muncie
- Village of Oakwood
- Village of Potomac
- Village of Rankin
- Village of Ridge Farm
- Village of Rossville
- Village of Sidell
- Village of Tilton
- Village of Westville
Major Employers
As the economy and business environment have changed in the last few years, so have we. The economy is a diverse mix of highly successful entrepreneurs, services, national and international manufacturers, transportation and distribution specialists, and regional back office data centers.
Our people are known for integrity and hard work which makes the area a highly desirable location for employers and an exciting environment to encourage entrepreneurship.
From large national and international employers to smaller companies and suppliers, the area is a great place to grow and maintain successful businesses. There are names you will recognize like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Walgreens Accounting and Arconic.
Employment By Industry March
Employment By Industry
Danville MSA Employment By Industry Danville MSA Update March 2024
- Vermilion County Public Schools & District 118
- Veteran’s Affairs Illiana Health Care System
- McLane Midwest Company
- OSF HealthCare Sacred Heart Medical Center
- AutoZone
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Vermilion County Government
- thyssenkrupp Crankshaft
- Carle Physician Group
- Danville Metal Stamping
People who are ready to start a career or move to the next level find unique opportunities in our area. Long-time professionals who are making a strategic career move choose the community because of the range of employment and lifestyle options. And people who are ready to finish their career also choose us because of the strength of our employers, family that is nearby, and the way of life unique to Vermilion County.
Parks & Recreation
There is no better place to enjoy the changing seasons than in Vermilion County’s four county parks and three state parks. We celebrate the fact that with 15,000 acres, we have more acres of public park per capita than in any other county in Illinois.
Each park is as unique as its many trails and activities, and offers the nature lover a variety of activities including hiking, bird watching, mountain biking, competitive cycling, running, fishing, canoeing, swimming, and horseback riding.
Danville and each of the smaller communities are home to diverse parks including the accessible AMBUCS Playground for Everyone and all-weather tracks that are open to the community.
Whether you want to participate or just attend, sporting events are a big part of life in Vermilion County. Our favorite spectator sports include the Danville Dans, a wooden bat summer league at historic Danville Stadium; the Men’s Division II National Junior College Basketball Tournament; the annual Dustbowl Basketball Tournament; and many more.
If you want to enjoy a round of golf or a quick game of tennis, you will find one private and six public golf courses, the Danville Tennis Club and a number of neighborhood courts.
The community is proud of recreational leagues in everything from volleyball and running to softball and bowling. Kids find something to do year round with highly active youth organizations for soccer, running, baseball, dance, basketball, gymnastics, martial arts, football, and hockey. The list is endless.
The community also offers a range of highly affordable health and fitness centers for the whole family.
- AMBUCS Playground
- AMBUCS Sprayground
- Anytime Fitness
- Danville Area Visitors Guide
- Danville Boat Club
- Danville Country Club
- Danville Soccer
- Danville Tennis Center
- Danville YMCA
- Fetch Dog Park
- Harrison Park Golf Course
- Hubbard Trail Country Club
- Kickapoo State Park
- Turtle Run Golf Club
- Verm. Co. Conservation Dist.
- Wolf Creek Golf Club
Retail / Shopping
When it comes to dining, shopping and specialty services, you will find rare and interesting treasures in Vermilion County.
We are home to a number of large national retailers – from clothing and home goods to discount stores and athletic equipment. We have the right mix of national chains to get what you need, when you need it.
Vermilion Advantage realizes how important it is for the local economy to keep retail sales dollars local. In an effort to address some of the high leakage dollars to other communities and to raise consumer awareness of products produced and made right here at home, an initiative called “Think Vermilion County First” was created in 2002. The overall message of the initiative is to support local businesses by spending dollars locally.
Why Spend Locally?
It encourages support of local businesses and keeps dollars circulating. Studies show that a dollar spent at a locally owned store is usually spent 6 to 15 times before it leaves the community.
- It encourages local investment and growth. As the local economy strengthens and flourishes, that economy attracts more business.
- It adds to our community’s tax base. These taxes help provide local services, roads, as well as fire and police protection.
- It creates jobs. Small, local businesses are the largest employer nationally.
- It helps sustain our one-of-a-kind businesses. These are an integral part of our distinctive character.
- You live, work, eat, educate, have fun and raise your family here.