River Bend online mapping tool

With its online mapping tool in full swing, the River Bend Growth Association hopes to succeed in bringing businesses and job opportunities to the community.

Implemented on May 1,RiverBendProspector.com is designed to help businesses pinpoint locations available for sale or lease in the River Bend.

"RiverBendProspector.com provides immediate access to critical business and development information needed to facilitate job growth in Southwest Illinois," said John Herzog, economic development coordinator for Madison County.

"RiverBendProspector.com sends a clear message to potential business locators: We are open and ready for business, online."

The Web site uses a mapping system to exhibit locations. By using tools such as geographic "layering" and magnification, users can view demographics, geographic characteristics and workforce availability. Such advances are designed to simplify the communication between government and business owners.

The businesses will be able to have easier access to the data they need, a Growth Association news release indicated.
Knowing that most commercial real estate agents perform the bulk of their research online, the River Bend Growth Association became interested in GIS Planning technology.

"We did a little research on similar companies, but we found that GIS Planning was the best," RBGA President Monica Bristow said.
An award-winning online economic development company, GIS Planning created the online mapping Web site as a component of the ZoomProspector Enterprise v7.0 program. The company creates maps similar to RiverBendProspector.com for other areas around the globe.

The Web site has been getting much support since it was put online.

Besides stimulating area business, the Growth Association hopes to strengthen its partnership with local commercial real estate agents. The Web site already is getting support from members of the real estate community.
Bristow said the Web site designers will be adding additional commercial properties onto the map as they become available.

She said she believes that the Web site soon will be able to get a complete inventory of commercial and industrial properties in the area.

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