New billboards encourage Illinois-based talent to move to Knox County.
VINCENNES – New billboards encouraging out-of-state Knox County, Indiana workers to consider a move from Illinois and national print and digital ads in Site Selection magazine are expected to boost the southwest county’s brand awareness and attractiveness, according to Chris Pfaff, CEO of Knox County Indiana Economic Development (KCIED). The new outreach adds to prior Opportunity Knox initiatives for talent attraction through the MakeMyMove targeted program, a new four-minute marketing video, and other elements to capture local momentum about county opportunities and resources.
National advertising
Print and digital ads in Site Selection magazine are strategically designed to elevate national awareness of key business and development assets for the Knox County region. A half page print ad in the Indiana spotlight section of the March 2026 Site Selection edition is expected to help boost Knox County’s position as an attractive relocation or expansion opportunity.
“We’re seeing new and important interest from our manufacturing and logistics growth, significant new housing development, and awareness of the key role local institutions like Vincennes University can play in strategically growing businesses, so we want to take advantage of this,” said Pfaff. “We’ve updated our web assets to reflect new opportunities for business relocation and have created a special “Live Here” landing page to help prospects understand the full range of opportunity here.”
About 1,500 people travel from Illinois daily to work in Knox County, so the billboard campaign – including a popular digital billboard in Illinois – will encourage commuting residents to consider such a move. “Knox County Indiana offers many advantages, including lower taxes and cost of living,” explained Pfaff. “So why not consider moving here to live if someone is already working here?”
Site Selection magazine represents a top-ranked national publication to reach decision-makers and relocation professionals, and the new Knox County ads will benefit from being seen as part of a broader Indiana advantage.
The full Opportunity Knox picture
In addition to the new elements of the Opportunity Knox marketing campaign, the previously announced outreach for talent attraction through the MakeMyMove program is bearing fruit, according to Mary Jo Wallin-Orlowski, Director of Business and Workforce Development for KCIED. “We’re already communicating with prospects, so we’re excited about the possibilities,” she said.
Knox County seeks to attract at least 15 new professionals and their families in 2026, which is expected to elevate local revenue and other benefits to the county.
The Knox County MakeMyMove program offers out-of-state remote workers and professionals an incentive package with relocation assistance, coupled with local business and community partnerships. Indiana provides state funding to support the program, which has proven successful in other areas of Indiana.
“We have a unique value proposition for families and businesses alike, which is reflected in the number of national retail and consumer brands that are locating and growing in Vincennes and the county,” Pfaff said. “There is growing confidence and attractiveness in our county region.”
The timing of the extended Opportunity Knox campaign aligns with the market-rate housing development at Bierhaus Flats, a $35 million mixed-use apartment complex. Bierhaus Flats is now actively beginning pre-lease operations for a June move-in.
There are broader benefits, as the expanded Opportunity Knox campaign fits strategically with current positioning goals of Indiana First, an economic development consortium including Harrison, Knox, Perry, Pike, and Spencer counties in southwest Indiana. “While we of course want people and businesses to move into Knox County, we also understand that many businesses look at an overall region to consider the full spectrum of potential benefits,” said Pfaff. “So, it’s important for Knox County to consider how we align with Indiana First and the Southwest Indiana Development Council counties to be as attractive as possible.”
For more information on living and working in Knox County, visit KnoxCountyIndiana.com or apply for MakeMyMove at https://www.makemymove.com/moving-living/vincennes-knox-county-in
Additional information is available at https://knoxcountyindiana.com/livehere/
About Knox County Indiana Economic Development (KCIED)
Established in 1981, Knox County Indiana Economic Development’s leadership and vision have created an atmosphere of cooperation. We are dedicated to maintaining and improving the quality of life for the citizens of Knox County by developing the overall economy of the county. KCIED has a supportive board that is actively involved in the recruitment, expansion, and retention of businesses. In addition to a strong partnership with the City of Vincennes and Knox County government, Knox County Indiana Economic Development has more than 100 private members that help fund the economic development efforts. For more information, please visit https://knoxcountyindiana.com/
