Each year, Illinois businesses spend billions of dollars on goods and services. One of the key components of Opportunity Returns is to encourage companies to "Buy Illinois" by spending more money in-state. Just a slight shift in spending would boost the state's economy by hundreds of millions of dollars, resulting in the creation of more jobs.
"Because Illinois is a state that is driven by agriculture, we need to remain aggressive in keeping up with market trends and technology," Blagojevich said. "It's a proven fact that more people are shopping from their homes. As a part of our Opportunity Returns initiative, I want to make sure that, with the click of a mouse, they have access to all the fantastic products our agriculture industry has to offer. Buying in Illinois will not only help your businesses get the best products and services around, but it'll also help us jumpstart our economy. It's an opportunity you don't want to miss."
Blagojevich's Opportunity Returns regional economic development plan is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois' history. Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn't work, the governor has divided the state into 10 regions -- finding areas with common economic strengths and needs, and developing a plan with specific actions for each region. This grassroots effort is a product of significant outreach over several months throughout each region, with business, civic and labor leaders, and elected officials. These economic initiatives are designed to be flexible and effective. Each plan is tailored to deliver real results that local businesses will see, feel, and, hopefully, profit from.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Commerce, 2003 third quarter retail sales for online companies generated $13.291 billion. That's an increase of 27 percent compared to an increase of only 6 percent for total retail sales. And projections by Jupiter Research predict online retail sales are expected to double in the next five years.
"During this day and age, people expect companies, no matter how big or small, to sell their products online," Department of Agriculture Marketing Manager Gib Frier said. "In light of the great Internet opportunities for small businesses, the Illinois Department of Agriculture has undertaken the ambitious task of developing this Web site specifically designed for vendors of Illinois products."
The Illinois Products Web site offers participating companies a variety of features including:
Participants will have three membership options to choose from with annual fees ranging from $30 to $80.
"We're making it simple for people to support the local economy. And if agriculture thrives in Illinois, the rest of the economy is sure to follow," Blagojevich said.
Illinois food or agriculture companies interested in being listed on a "Buy Illinois Products" Web page can contact Larry Aldag at 217.524.3012 or by e-mail at laldag@agr.state.il.us.
