Hometown Consulting LLC, in collaboration with Compeer Financial, has unveiled the awardees of the 2026 Strong Communities Initiative. Five municipalities in Illinois have been chosen to participate in this comprehensive, fully-funded program aimed at enhancing local government capabilities and ensuring sustained community success.
The selected rural communities include the City of Colona, the City of Oregon, the Village of Hanna City, the Village of Manito, and the Village of Roanoke. These municipalities were chosen through a competitive application process that assessed their commitment to strengthening governance, boosting economic development readiness, and improving grant preparedness. Additionally, their efforts to enhance communication and transparency with residents, alongside promoting business retention and growth, played a crucial role in their selection.
Cole McDaniel, president of Hometown Consulting, expressed enthusiasm about the awardees, stating, “This group of communities represents the kind of leadership and forward-thinking approach the Strong Communities Initiative was designed to support. Each awardee has demonstrated a clear desire to move from vision to action, and we’re excited to work alongside them in the months ahead.”
The partnership with Compeer Financial further underscores the initiative’s significance. Leah Thiele, director of rural capital solutions at Compeer Financial, remarked, “Compeer Financial is proud to partner with communities that are actively investing in their future. These awardees will lead the way in what it means to be a thriving, dynamic rural community in Illinois, and we’re honored to support their continued growth.”
Through the Strong Communities Initiative, Hometown Consulting will collaborate closely with each community to evaluate various factors, including leadership roles, internal communication, staffing capacity, and organizational efficiency. The program will also analyze each community’s capacity to attract, retain, and support business development and investment. Policies and procedures regarding grant readiness will be reviewed, alongside efforts to strengthen communication practices that foster transparency, accessibility, and public trust.
Each participating community will receive tailored community readiness reports, current conditions reports, strategic action roadmaps, shared best practices, and opportunities for peer networking. The initiative will culminate in an optional regional SCI Capstone Event scheduled for June, where participating communities will come together to exchange insights and discuss outcomes.
Hometown Consulting is an Illinois-based firm specializing in community and economic development, partnering with municipalities, counties, and organizations to enhance local government capacity and promote long-term economic growth. Compeer Financial, a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative, serves agricultural and rural communities, investing in initiatives that strengthen communities and foster sustainable economic development. The Strong Communities Initiative aligns with Compeer Financial’s broader commitment to rural vitality and Hometown Consulting’s mission to strengthen local government capabilities across Illinois.
