Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation (JREDC) honored the recipients of its two annual awards during the organization’s investor appreciation event held at the Twisted Tree Music Hall in Jacksonville on Thursday evening.
Since 1990, JREDC’s Existing Industry Committee has presented the Industry of the Year Award to a company exhibiting outstanding business development and activity that enhances regional economic viability. This year, the economic development organization recognized an organization that is firmly rooted in the region’s history as well as committed to the future: The Jacksonville Airport Authority.
Located approximately three miles north of Jacksonville in Morgan County, the Jacksonville Municipal Airport is a publicly owned general aviation airport operated by the Jacksonville Airport Authority. While the airport is widely used for recreational flying and flight training, its impact extends well beyond general aviation. The airport supports a variety of activities that benefit businesses, residents and organizations throughout the region, including corporate and charter flights, aerial inspection and photography, police and law enforcement operations, military training, medical transport and seasonal agricultural activities. These services make the airport an important component of the area’s transportation infrastructure and a valuable resource for the local economy.
In recent years, the Jacksonville Airport Authority has made significant investments to enhance the airport’s facilities, safety and long-term capabilities. Recent projects include the construction of a new 10-unit T-hangar, which increased available hangar space by approximately 35 percent; rehabilitation of Runway 13/31 and remarking of the airfield; and upgrades to LED lighting throughout the airfield. Together, these projects represent approximately $5 million in infrastructure improvements. The investment will continue with the upcoming projects which include an update to the Airport Layout Plan, construction of a partial parallel taxiway to Runway End 22, and rehabilitation of Taxiways A and C. These projects represent an additional $4.8 million in planned updates and infrastructure improvements. Combined, the recent and upcoming projects represent nearly $10 million in investment in Jacksonville’s Municipal Airport, strengthening an important community asset and positioning the facility to serve local businesses, pilots, visitors and residents well into the future.
The airport’s commitment extends beyond its runways and facilities. The Jacksonville Municipal Airport regularly supports community events and aviation safety seminars and partners with the local Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 137 to host Young Eagles flights and fly-ins. These activities help introduce young people to aviation while promoting education, safety and enthusiasm for the aviation industry.
Also during the event, JREDC presented the 2025 Bob Chipman Champion Award to Dan Beard. Created in 2019 to recognize exemplary support for economic development in Morgan and Scott counties, it was renamed in 2024 in memory of the late Robert “Bob” Chipman, whose unwavering commitment and exceptional dedication set the gold standard for community support.
For more than four decades, Beard has played an important role in the growth and economic development of Jacksonville and the surrounding region. Through his professional service, volunteer leadership, and commitment to the community, he has helped shape many of the efforts that have strengthened Jacksonville’s economy and created opportunities for generations to come.
His involvement in economic development began in the mid-1980s while serving on the Chamber of Commerce Board. During that time, he co-chaired an economic development task force with Ron Gray. One of the group’s recommendations was the formation of an Economic Development Corporation, helping lay the groundwork for a more coordinated approach to business growth and development in the community.
In 1986, he joined the Board of the Jacksonville Industrial Corporation, where he served until 1999, including his final three years as president. In 1999, the Industrial Corporation and the Jacksonville Economic Development Council merged, bringing together organizations with a shared commitment to advancing the Jacksonville area. He went on to serve on the Board of the Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation, where he has continued his involvement through the present day and has also served as assistant secretary.
His dedication to Jacksonville extended well beyond his board service. From 1993 through 2026, he served as city attorney, working alongside Mayors Ron Tendick and Andy Ezard, as well as Development Directors Kelly Hall and Brian Nyberg, on numerous economic development projects throughout the city.
Over the years, he has had a front-row seat to remarkable growth and transformation in Jacksonville. Among the many highlights have been the completion and development of the Illinois Power Industrial Park and Eastgate Industrial Parks, significant commercial development along West Morton Avenue, and the revitalization of Jacksonville’s downtown, culminating in the transformational “Downtown Turnaround.”
JREDC chair Rob Lyman expressed his gratitude to the many JREDC investors in attendance, and thanked them for their time, talent and treasure. He also acknowledged Jacquie Bartlett for her dedication, hard work and leadership over the past 18 months and her commitment to moving the organization forward during this transitional period.
The mission of JREDC is to create, expand, recruit and retain job opportunities for Morgan and Scott counties. The investor-based group traces its beginnings to 1964 when the Jacksonville Area Industrial Corporation was formed with the objective of creating jobs by acquiring new industries and assisting the growth of existing industries.