Economic Development

Financial Statements

The City, along with its community partners, has a number of tools in place to offer opportunities and assistance to a variety of businesses, investors and entrepreneurs seeking information in the areas of financing, real estate, tax abatements and incentives, employment and training and general assistance in business related matters.

As part of our business assistance program, the City works closely with Clinton County, the South Central Illinois Growth Alliance, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and other area development authorities to pool resources and expertise in putting together proposals and funding packages. Trenton stands ready to make available the development resources at hand required to attract new business and industry and to aid existing businesses with expansion plans.

Whether you have an established business within the community, or are interested in expanding or relocating your business, the City of Trenton is committed to working as a proactive and results oriented partner in meeting your unique business needs.

Available Assistance Programs:

The Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program is designed to serve the diverse needs of the business community and to place the City of Trenton in a more competitive position in working with business and industry to assist them in making the decision to locate or expand within the City’s corporate limits.

The City of Trenton has three active TIF Districts. The original TIF is known as the Broadway Redevelopment Area. This was established to provide a funding mechanism to promote and enhance redevelopment and new development in the downtown area and to induce the investment of private capital. In 2019 two new TIF Districts were established. The “South TIF” is located on the west end of the City, south of Old Route 50. The “North TIF” is also located on the west end of the City, but north of Old Route 50.

Through “redevelopment agreements,” the City may utilize TIF Funds to assist developers, current Trenton business owners, and those interested in establishing businesses within the Broadway Redevelopment Area with the following expenses:

  • Land acquisition
  • Planning, legal, engineering or architectural services
  • Demolition of buildings and clearing of property
  • Construction costs of infrastructure improvements
  • Rehabilitation of existing structures
  • Financing costs

The City of Trenton Façade Rebate Program provides funding to commercial building owners and business owners who rehabilitate the exterior of those properties located within the Broadway Redevelopment Area. This program provides rebates for various façade rehabilitation activities, including:

  • Complete façade renovation
  • Window displays and awnings
  • Exterior lighting
  • Cleaning or tuck pointing of exterior surfaces
  • New signs
  • Removal of non-original/inappropriate finish
  • Windows
  • Repair or restoration of architectural detailing
  • Doors

The maximum rebate per application is $1,000 per $10,000 of the “current” equalized assessed valuation (not to exceed a maximum of $10,000). Applicants are required to install a minimum of $2,000 in façade improvements to be eligible for this program. New construction is not eligible for financial assistance.

The City of Trenton offers a sales tax rebate to any new retail business, or any existing business which has a change in ownership, in order to generate job creation, and spur development/redevelopment within the corporate limits of the City.

Eligible businesses may receive a maximum rebate of one-half of any Retailers’ Occupation Taxes (sales taxes) received by the City that were generated by the new development/redevelopment for a period of two years.

For more information on how the City of Trenton can assist you with your business needs, or if you have any questions on the City’s available assistance programs, please contact Trenton City Hall. We look forward to working to make your business grow and succeed!

Business Directory

To view the Trenton Business Directory, click here.