Macomb Mayor Mike Inman said there are currently 11 economic development projects in the works.
Two of the 11 are local businesses interested in expanding. The rest include manufacturing, commercial and retail ventures.
"I would just stress those are in varying degrees of going to happen, probably going to happen and not likely to happen but we are still pursuing it," Inman said.
He said Macomb is working to create a business friendly environment.
Inman said he’s heard from many people associated with the region’s largest employer, Western Illinois University, about a desire to have more chain restaurants in town..
The city, he said, has reached out to several well-known franchises about setting up shop in town.
“If anything in the last three years we’ve doubled down on that attempt to bring as much variety into the community as the community can support first of all," Inman said." And that the investor and the business market would say we are a good place to be.”
He said a large part of economic development is getting in front of potential investors.
One national business will be coming to Macomb -- there are plans in the works for a Starbucks’ coffee shop to open in the Hy-Vee store.
