Hometown Consulting and Compeer Financial announce Strong Communities Initiative awardees

PEORIA, Ill. — Hometown Consulting LLC, in partnership with Compeer Financial, announced the 2026 Strong Communities Initiative awardees.

Five Illinois municipalities have been selected to participate in this fully-funded, 16-week capacity-building program focused on strengthening local government readiness and support long-term community success.

The following rural communities in Illinois have been selected as SCI awardees: City of Colona, City of Oregon, Village of Hanna City, Village of Manito and Village of Roanoke.

Communities were selected through a competitive application process based on their commitment to strengthening governance, enhancing economic development readiness, improving grant preparedness, strengthening communication and transparency with residents and supporting business retention and growth.

“This group of communities represents the kind of leadership and forward-thinking approach the Strong Communities Initiative was designed to support,” said Cole McDaniel, president of Hometown Consulting. “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.”

“Compeer Financial is proud to partner with communities that are actively investing in their future,” said Leah Thiele, director of rural capital solutions at Compeer Financial. “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 initiative, Hometown Consulting will work closely with each community to evaluate leadership roles, internal communication, staffing capacity and organizational efficiency.

The program will also assess each community’s ability to attract, retain and support business development and investment; review policies and procedures related to grant readiness; and strengthen communication practices that promote transparency, accessibility and public trust.

Each community will receive customized community readiness reports, current conditions reports, strategic action roadmaps, shared best practices and opportunities for peer networking.

The program will conclude with an optional regional SCI Capstone Event in June, bringing participating communities together to share insights and outcomes.

Hometown Consulting is an Illinois-based community and economic development consulting firm that partners with municipalities, counties and organizations to strengthen local government capacity and promote long-term economic growth.

Compeer Financial is a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative serving agriculture and rural communities. Through its Rural Vitality programs, Compeer invests in initiatives that strengthen communities, foster opportunity and promote sustainable rural economies.

The Strong Communities Initiative reflects Compeer Financial’s broader commitment to rural vitality and Hometown Consulting’s mission to strengthen local government capacity across Illinois.