Gov. Pritzker Announces Rural King to Invest $75 Million in New Headquarters

Company's expansion project will create 100 new jobs and retain more than 700 positions in Central Illinois

MATTOON - Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced that Rural King will invest $75 million to construct a new Store Support Center Campus in Mattoon, where the company's leadership and support departments will be based, including merchandising, IT, finance, operations, marketing, human resources, legal, and other key business functions. The company broke ground on the project today, which will create 100 new full-time jobs and retain 719 existing full-time jobs in Coles County.

"With its new expansion, Rural King is building on its storied legacy in Illinois by creating new jobs and investing in the community and region," said Governor JB Pritzker. "Illinois is proud to collaborate with job creators who expand opportunities for our people while committing to growing in our state."

"For generations, Rural King has been an important part of the Mattoon community, and today's announcement reflects a continued commitment to the region's future," said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. "This investment will create new opportunities for Illinoisans and their families while reinforcing the economic vitality of Central Illinois. We are excited to see a homegrown Illinois company continue to expand while keeping its headquarters and legacy right here in the community where it began."

Rural King's expansion reflects the State's ongoing commitment to strengthening regional economies and supporting long-term growth in communities across downstate Illinois. Through intentional economic development programs and investments, Illinois continues to support businesses that are creating jobs, retaining talent, and investing in local communities.

"Our associates are the heartbeat of our company," said Rural King Owner & Chairman Alex Melvin. "As Rural King continues to grow, this new Store Support Center is an investment for our teams to ensure they have the space, resources, and technology needed to support our stores and customers while keeping our roots firmly planted in the community we call home. In addition to the Store Support Center, we are excited to develop an event center which will be available for the community to utilize for a variety of different purposes."

"Rural King's decision to expand and modernize its Store Support Center in Mattoon is a strong example of Illinois' continued success in strengthening and retaining homegrown businesses," said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. "Through strategic economic development tools, we are helping companies make long-term investments in Illinois communities, supporting job creation, strengthening regional economies, and ensuring that employers have the resources they need to compete and grow here at home."

In addition to support from the State's Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) program, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is working with the City of Mattoon to provide grant funding through the agency's Economic Development Program to assist with extending Swords Drive north from Broadway to Dewitt Avenue, providing access to the new campus. Later this year, IDOT is anticipated to break ground on an $82 million reconstruction of the nearby Interstate 57 interchange with Illinois 16 to improve traffic flow and safety and increase clearances for freight and commercial vehicles - a project made possible by the Governor's Rebuild Illinois capital program.

"Under the leadership of Gov. Pritzker, IDOT is doing more than ever to get communities the resources and infrastructure they need to grow and prosper," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. "We are proud of the collaboration on this project and look forward to more investment to come in Mattoon and Coles County."

"The City of Mattoon has had significant economic growth in the last few years bringing millions of dollars to the Mattoon area thanks to partners like Rural King," said Mattoon Mayor Rick Hall. "Rural King continues to be a critical corporate citizen to Mattoon and the State of Illinois as demonstrated in this New Headquarters Investment. We also thank the State of Illinois, and our local state and federal elected representative for their important contribution to this project."

Founded in Mattoon in 1960, Rural King is a third-generation, family-owned farm and home supply retailer, and by the end of 2026, they will operate more than 160 stores across 18 states. The company currently employs more than 9,500 associates across the country, including more than 400 employees at its existing Store Support Center and 270 employees at its attached distribution center and transportation hub in Mattoon.

"Rural King's expansion demonstrates the strength of Illinois' homegrown companies and the advantages of growing a business in our state," said Illinois Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Christy George. "This $75 million expansion will create new opportunities for Central Illinois families while reinforcing Mattoon as a strategic location for business operations. We are proud to support a company that has deep Illinois roots and remains committed to creating jobs and investing in the communities it serves."

"We want to thank Rural King's leadership team for their continued investment in Coles County," said Coles Together President & CEO Ronda Sauget. "Rural King's growth and expansion, headquartered in the City of Mattoon, is a prime example of successful supply chain logistics, warehouse, and distribution operations from the center of the U.S. with easy access to anywhere in North America. We are proud and look forward to working with this amazing community partner long into the future. Coles County is a prime tertiary market for business development activities with many employers experiencing the highest workforce productivity nationwide from this location. We warmly welcome the expansion of existing businesses and embrace the attraction of new firms to Coles County."

As part of the EDGE agreement with the State, Rural King has committed to making a $75 million investment, creating 100 new full-time jobs and retaining 719 jobs. A link to the full agreement can be found here. So far in 2026, companies participating in the EDGE program have committed to creating more than 5,000 new jobs and nearly $2.5 billion in investments.