Economic Development

Sterling’s Riverfront Commission met Wednesday to discuss updates for Sterling’s $300 million multi-phase Riverfront Reimagined project.

Having served the Rochelle community for over 20 years, Jason Anderson will be stepping down from the position at the end of December.

The center will bring 55 full-time jobs and amenities that include gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, a restaurant, convenience store and over 80 short-term overnight parking spaces for long-haul truckers.

Joliet Planning Director Jim Torri on Friday is wrapping up a 34-year career with the city that started with an internship out of college in 1990.

The village of Manhattan has signed on to a lawsuit aimed at hemming in a potential 4,000-acre NorthPoint Development warehouse project.

Former Councilman Mike Turk and Rev. Wendell Martin appointed to Joliet Plan Commission. The City Council approved the appointments made by Mayor Terry D’Arcy.

The Dixon City Council on Oct. 21 approved the purchase of 65 acres to be developed into additional retail and housing. On Monday, the council approved the use of $1 million from the general fund and $500,000 from the community development fund to actually pay for it.

Sterling Building and Zoning Superintendent Amanda Schmidt said she has been working on the project with Mavco Real Estate Development of Chicago since May and expects ground to be broken this year.

What is now empty green space off Bloody Gulch Road, between the city’s Gateway development along South Galena Avenue near Interstate 88 and a neighborhood known as Overlook Gardens, will soon be a gathering space complete with a multi-use path, fishing piers and picnic areas.

Plans call for the property on Bloody Gulch Road to be developed for commercial retail and housing in the future, but for now it gives the city the opportunity to manage economic development and the ability to have land available for investors coming to the area.

Mayor Diana Merdian and Riverfront Reimagined commissioners met Wednesday, Oct. 16, to discuss the River Edge Redevelopment Zone Act, which is legislation encouraging economic growth through redevelopment and revitalization projects found typically in areas along waterfronts.

CJ Logistics America and the Korea Ocean Business Corporation – along with their development partners, hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 10 for a new state-of-the-art warehouse in Will County.

A collection of salons calls Diamond Suites home, set in the remodeled building that once housed Diamond Jack's pub in the community of Diamond. Still available is a retail or restaurant space.

Interstate access was opened Monday to more than 309 acres of Joliet land at Interstates 55 and 80 in a development known as the Rock Run Collection.

The tram is one more step the city of Joliet has taken to encourage small businesses downtown during a lot of construction that is intended to remake the district.

Sterling held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday for its yet-to-be-named riverfront park at 201 Wallace St., the city’s first step toward a $300 million project known as Riverfront Reimagined.

The Lockport City Council approved a special use permits and a site plan for a Scooter's drive-thru coffee kiosk at its meeting on Wednesday.

The new park at the former Northwestern Steel and Wire Mill site is Phase One of Sterling’s $300 million Riverfront Reimagined Project.

Advancing Grundy is the initiative to build a more resilient and diversified economy with a clear strategic plan and nine community action items.

Morris is one of the 12 communities that is included in the newly-formed Illinois River Cities & Towns Initiative, a coalition of mayor-led cities and towns along the Illinois River.

Scott McMaster succeeds former director Mike Petrick, who was promoted to assistant village administrator for Channahon in August.

After filming three seasons in Lockport, the HBO series "Somebody Somewhere" will premiere its final season's first two episodes on Oct. 30 at a special screening at The Roxy.

Opinion: On behalf of the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation, I am pleased to announce that Ms. Melissa Amedeo has accepted the position as our new executive director, writes Andrea Van Drew.

The new park along the Rock River at the former Northwestern Steel and Wire Mill site is Phase One of Sterling’s $300 million Riverfront Reimagined Project.

Construction crews in downtown Joliet have been at work on improvements for Chicago Street, such as upgraded water and sewer lines. The area is being developed for a future city square.

The restaurant group, Azul Cantina Inc., based in Charleston, South Carolina, signed a lease for the retail space from owner Harkness Properties LLC in August, according to commercial real-estate company Coldwell Banker Commercial Atlantic.

Demolition plans come with latest incident at former steel plant on Collins Street on Joliet

The properties sit next to each other along the 800 block of Taylor Court, which will eventually become the entrance into the community that is being developed by Ted Hvarre of Hvarre Development LLC.

The new Counseling Works office is located at 611 W. Jefferson St., Suite 201, Shorewood. New clients are being accepted, seven days a week, both in-person and via telehealth.

Cheap Trick’s mega hit “I Want You to Want Me” rang true Thursday as hundreds of people waited to get inside the new Hard Rock Casino Rockford, which offers a Hard Rock Live entertainment venue intertwined with music memorabilia, including some from Rockford's own Cheap Trick.

The city of Dixon has kicked off the first step in creating its new comprehensive plan, which will guide city leaders’ decisions for the next 20 years.

Chicago Cubs president of business operations will be joined by Chicago media personality David Kaplan at the Joliet Chamber of Commerce's 110th Anniversary celebration.

Wildcat Ridge subdivision residents claim the council is planning a sewer infrastructure project and possible annexation behind their backs. But Dixon city officials say there is no planned project, and the area would be too expensive for the city to annex and maintain.

Wynn Nails Spa, which celebrated its grand opening this week, is located at 1675 S. Galena Ave., Dixon.

The new T-Mobile store at 1671 S. Galena Ave. is part of Dixon’s Gateway Project that is bringing several businesses to the I-88 corridor.

Interested party wants to put senior assisted-living facility in National buildings.

Dustin Anderson was hired as community development director on Monday. Paulina Martinez became economic development director in May.

Sterling alderman: Rockford, Sycamore, Mt. Morris, Dixon, Rock Falls, and now Sterling are discussing creating the right incentives to stimulate a stagnant housing development market.

World Kia plans to open a second location on Jefferson Street for used car sales and service.

The Sterling City Council and the city’s consulting planner are honing in on how to diversify housing offerings for all demographics while maintaining a balance between ownership and rental opportunities and housing costs.

Joliet high school students tell their unique experiences in workplaces as summer interns through Will County organizations and businesses.

Sterling Mayor Diana Merdian said she has been working with Union Pacific for months to receive the designation for the city.

A new airport in Chicago’s far south suburbs could bring thousands of jobs and a $1 billion economic impact, according to a new report

The Joliet City Center Partnership can help business owners find the right location, look into grant programs and incentives, according to Priscilla Cordero, executive director.

Dustin Anderson previously was town manager in Munster, Indiana

Car dealer buying second Jefferson Street location east of Larkin Avenue in Joliet.

Lion is cutting jobs and reducing space at its Joliet plant, while local and state officials hope for federal subsidies to boost electric vehicle market.

Union organizer says fewer than 100 production workers at Joliet plant before Wednesday layoffs.

A state lawmaker from Joliet said she's been in contact with Ascension to plan a town hall “in order to provide answers to the community" regarding the Prime Healthcare acquisition.

Crown Community Development has laid out proposal for The Grove, a 760-acre, master-planned mixed-use project.