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About the Partnership

About the Partnership

One organization. One voice. One mission:
To grow Freeport & Stephenson County.

Our Mission

The Greater Freeport Partnership is the place where organizations and people unite to advocate for the region, drive economic growth and champion a talented, workforce ready community.

Our Values:

  • Art, Design and Culture
  • Diversity in all Forms
  • Hard Work and an Entrepreneurial Spirit
  • The Outdoor Experience
  • Giving Back
  • Always Learning

What is the Partnership?

The Greater Freeport Partnership is the place where organizations and people unite to tell the story of our region, drive economic growth, and champion a talented, workforce-ready community. The non-profit organization provides business, tourism and economic development services to members in Stephenson County to help them grow, adapt and thrive through educational programming, networking and resource sharing.

Our History

The Greater Freeport Partnership promotes Stephenson County and support businesses.  We accomplish these goals through workforce development, marketing, beautification, business education and providing data resources.

Our history:  In June 2018, four organizations became one: Northwest Illinois Development Alliance – NIDA, Freeport Area Chamber of Commerce, Freeport Downtown Development Foundation, and Freeport/Stephenson County Convention & Visitors Bureau / Visitors Center. The focus: create a seamless economic development, business services and tourism entity focused on providing outstanding service to those looking to start a business, grow a business and visit the area.

Funding comes from the City of Freeport, Stephenson County, partner investors and members.  Revenue is also generated through co-op advertising programs, grants and revenue from events.

The Greater Freeport Partnership board includes members of the Freeport and Stephenson County business community, the Freeport City Manager, Stephenson County Board Chair, and representatives from Highland Community College and Freeport School District.

Annual Reports

We are the Greater Freeport Partnership

The Greater Freeport Partnership Board:

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Key Industries

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Healthcare

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Construction, Plumbing, Heating, & Service

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Private Label Food Manufacturing

Calendar Feed

Blog Feed

2023 Partnership Award Nominations Now Open! December 6, 2023 Please take a moment to nominate the businesses or people who are doing great things in Freeport and Stephenson County. Award winners will be announced at the Greater Freeport Partnership Annual Dinner on February 22, 2024 at the Masonic Event Center. Please click each link to be directed to the nomination form. The criteria for each award are listed in […]
Partnership & City Committed to Serve in 2024 December 5, 2023 Economic Development, Freeport, greater freeport partnership, Stephenson County Three weeks ago, the Partnership contacted our membership and asked for your support as we advocated for full funding from the City of Freeport for 2024. You diligently responded to our request with calls, letters, emails, and messages to City Council members. We thank you for your support as it proved instrumental in increasing the City’s funding to within five […]
Applications open for NewBiz grants for new start-ups in 2020 & 2021 November 30, 2023 Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $25 million in available grant funding through the Back to Business (B2B) NewBiz program. Businesses that launched in 2020 or 2021 and remain in operation have faced significant impacts during the pandemic, but they have not been eligible for other federal or state relief programming since they were […]
Guest Columnist Michelle DeHaven Quast: Philanthropy is for Everyone November 29, 2023 givingtuesday November 28 is worldwide GivingTuesday, a day that, according to the organization’s website, is: “a global generosity movement unleashing the power of radical generosity.” My question is, shouldn’t that be every day? And, yes, I realize that sounds very self-serving coming from the CEO of one of the largest philanthropic bodies in our region, not to mention the only local […]