April 30, 2026 

Nik Duffle, Director of

Economic Development 

April has been a month of forward momentum and community connection for the Town of Normal. From celebrating innovation and partnership to investing in future growth and supporting our youngest entrepreneurs, the energy across our community continues to build.

We proudly hosted a welcome reception for Rivian and their suppliers, recognizing their investment and commitment throughout Normal. In addition, the Town of Normal Council’s approval of the Uptown North Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District represents a strategic step toward continued development in one of our most vibrant areas. Finally, the Normal Public Library’s second annual Kid Market helps showcase the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of our community’s youngest residents.

Thank you for reading and for being an important part of Normal’s growing and thriving business community.

The Town was proud to host a welcome reception for executives from Rivian, OPmobility, Adient, and Oakley Industries Sub Assembly Division, Inc..

With Rivian’s ongoing commitment to Normal and the recent expansion announcements from OPmobility and Adient, this was a great opportunity for Town leadership to directly connect, express our appreciation, and celebrate their continued investment in our community.

Bringing Town leadership together with key decision‑makers from these organizations reinforces the Town's dedication to supporting their growth and highlights the important role business partners play in Normal’s success. 

On April 20, 2026, Council voted to approve multiple ordinances supporting the creation of a new Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District in Uptown Normal. 

The newly established Uptown North TIF District is designed to capture incremental increases in property tax revenue generated by rising property values within the district. These funds can then be reinvested into infrastructure improvements, site preparation and other development incentives aimed at catalyzing private investment on underutilized property throughout Uptown. 

The proposed district is comprised of property north of the roundabout, the east and west sides of Constitution Boulevard, and continuing north to Mulberry Street, west to the currently vacant Frontier property, down Mulberry, then across to the former Busey and Commerce Bank properties.

The new TIF district will take effect immediately and expire year end in 2049. 

To learn more about TIF Districts, how they work, and their incentive offerings, visit the Town's TIF Webpage or email Economic Development Director Nik Duffle.  

The Normal Public library is hosting its second annual Kid Market program, encouraging young people to turn their creative ideas into business ventures.

Thirty-nine kids are participating this year, learning about business topics including supply and demand, time management, and how to set a price for their products.

The program culminates in a market day where the kid business owners will use all the skills they've learned to sell their products to the community. The market is open to the public and will take place from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 2  in the Normal Public Library Community Room. 

“The program is intensive,” said Rachel Park, Business Librarian at Normal Public Library, “The kids have to apply with a business idea already in mind, show us prototypes of their products, and then complete ten weeks of online business school before they participate in the market.”

This program is based off of a similar program from the Vernon Area Library in Lincolnshire, Illinois, and the librarians at Normal Public took that idea and modified it. Once kids are accepted into the program, they are invited to a welcome brunch where they network with local business owners, learning more about what it means to run a business. “We are incredibly grateful for the local businesses who sponsor this program,” said Park. “It means so much to the kids that there are folks in the community who believe in their ideas and want them to succeed.” 

For businesses returning for their second year, a more in-depth curriculum was made available, exploring topics like goal setting for businesses, and investing in the community. Second year businesses also have an opportunity to consult one-on-one with a graphic designer to discuss their business’s brand. Park said, “we want this to be a really great opportunity for the kids. They take their businesses very seriously, and it shows!” 

The community is invited to explore the hard work these young entrepreneurs have put into their businesses at Kid Market Day, 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 2  in the Normal Public Library Community Room. Kid Market is a cash-only event. 

If you have any questions or are interested in sponsoring the Kid Market program, please reach out to the Business and Technology Librarian: email Rachel Park at call 309-452-1757.