The Northwest Region Entrepreneurship Center (NWREC) was founded in October 2004 by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to serve as a catalyst for high-growth potential small and medium-sized business enterprises to develop into economically viable and sustainable companies that will grow and create jobs in Illinois. The (NWREC) region covers the ten northwest counties in Illinois: Bureau, Carroll, Henry, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, Lee, Mercer, Putnam, Rock Island and Whiteside.

NWREC client services include:

·         Identifying gaps and limitations in clients'/entrepreneurs' current operations

·         Coordinating support services for clients/entrepreneurs that address gaps and limitations in their current operations

·         Providing targeted accelerated services through NWREC partners for clients/entrepreneurs that have high-growth potential

The NWREC Network is one of several Entrepreneurship Center Networks that are opening across Illinois. The Entrepreneurship Center Networks will serve as regional hubs for coordinating small business development, entrepreneurship training, and entrepreneurial development activity.