Welcome! Land Between The Rivers is a comprehensive website for Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Union and Pulaski Counties for visitors and locals alike.

SIDEZ- Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone

SIDEZ promotes economic development, infrastructure development and tourism in Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Union and Pulaski counties. 

• Revolving Loan Funds- Micro (up to $50,000) and IRP (up to $250,000) loan funds for new and expanding businesses in the SIDEZ region; current interest rates of 4.5% special rate of 3.99% for five years when half of total loan funds provided by local bank.  
• ELITE Youth Camp- Annual entrepreneurial camp for 7th, 8th and 9th graders with an interest in learning how to start a business; in July at Shawnee Community College. 
• Willard Murrie Scholarship- $20,000 endowment initiative to fund annual scholarships to Shawnee Community College students with exemplary record of volunteer service to the community. 
• Pulaski County Business Center- Business incubator located in Mounds with commercial kitchen and retail/commercial/industrial/warehouse spaces available for rent; owned by Pulaski County and managed by SIDEZ. 

SIDEZ SEEKS PARTNERS FOR RBDG FUNDING

The Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone, Inc. is searching for a small business with fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 million in gross sales to partner with on a Rural Business Development Grant from USDA.  The business must be located in Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Union or Pulaski County.  For more information, contact Tabatha Smith at 618-745-6307 or tsmith@sidezoffice.org. 

Working together to bring about positive change!