Kankakee, IL – Staff with the Economic and Community Development Agency (ECDA) partnered with local video production company, Ravenspring Creative, to create a submission to HGTV’s Hometown Takeover Contest. Ben and Erin Napier are the hosts of “Home Town,” an HGTV show featuring residential and community improvement projects in Laurel, Mississippi and the surrounding areas. For a six-episode special event in the upcoming season, they have decided to take their show on the road and host a contest for one city to be the special event feature.

Upon learning of the contest, staff members from ECDA began work with Ravenspring Creative to showcase the City of Kankakee through interviews with community members and footage throughout the City. The City of Kankakee submitted a video for the contest earlier this month on February 7, 2020. HGTV has not announced when they will reveal which city has been chosen, though the six-episode special event is slated to air on HGTV in 2021.

Erin and Ben Napier have experience in home renovation and downtown revitalization. Their projects work to keeping charm and historic features, while also pulling out community roots, history, and traditions. “As the City of Kankakee continues to see momentum in development, growth, and beautification, we are excited about the possibility to partner with the efforts of HGTV’s Home Town,” said ECDA Executive Director, Barbi Brewer-Watson.

“We had a few people from the community tell us about the contest and our team immediately thought it was a great idea. The City of Kankakee particularly has a lot of historic buildings and big homes which are characteristics of interest for the HGTV hosts.  In an effort to move Kankakee Forward, the administration is seeking creative ways to highlight, promote and bring resources to the City.  I want to especially thank our ECDA team and Ravenspring Creative for the work they have done to submit our City for the contest,” said Mayor Wells-Armstrong.

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The City of Kankakee is dedicated to protecting, building and nurturing the community while enhancing lives. We are a historic, vibrant, and active riverfront community. We continue to transform into an extraordinary place to dream, grow, and thrive. Embracing our diversity, we strive to be progressive, inclusive, and innovative. For more information on the City of Kankakee, please visit the website at www.citykankakee-il.gov.