The East Central Illinois Development Corporation (ECIDC) serving the 11 counties of Christian, Clark, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Jasper, Moultrie and Shelby is pleased to announce the selection of a new Executive Director, Larissa Seward.
Larissa comes to the ECIDC from Prairieland Council, Inc. a nonprofit community development corporation in Mason County, Illinois where she served as Deputy Director and led many development projects for the surrounding area. Larissa’s 10 years of experience partnering with private developers to utilize state and federal programs for housing and business development will be very useful in leading the ECIDC.
The ECIDC was incorporated in 1984 and is one of the longest running regional economic development groups in Illinois. The ECIDC focuses on developing economic growth through collaborative efforts with community leaders, private businesses and local citizens.
Larissa’s initial goal as the new Executive Director is to learn what the communities want and need in order to develop a strategy that will spur economic growth for generations to come. Larissa holds a Bachelor’s in Animal Science and Management from Oklahoma University and a Bachelor’s in Business and Financial Management from Capella University. Her office is located in Lakeland College at Mattoon and she can be reached via telephone at 217-540-3517 or using email Lseward@lakelandcollege.edu
