Economic Development

Will County needs more apartments and affordable housing to keep young people and meet the needs of a growing workforce, the head of the Will County Center for Economic Development said Wednesday.

Morris native Aindrea Hogan will begin her new role as vice president of development with the Grundy Economic Development Council on Wednesday.

Plainfield is slated to see several new businesses begin construction or officially open this year while one IL Route 59 mainstay will be closing its doors.

Since buying the former Kmart distribution center in Manteno in 2023, Gotion has continued to purchase land surrounding the plant at 333 S. Spruce St.

City and U.S. Steel officials said they are moving ahead with plans for a new use of the company’s Joliet site. Former credit union building will become the Pilsen Wellness Center.

Arcadia CEO says cold storage facility in Joliet will supply growing demand for refrigerated grocery items.

Arcadia Cold Storage will hold a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for a new facility being built at 251 E. Millsdale Road.

The petition to approve the preliminary and final plats for the Rock Falls Love’s Subdivision will take place during the City Council meeting Tuesday, Jan. 7.

Amedeo: DeKalb County is primed for economic growth, industry, workforce

The Sterling City Council has hired Matt Hughes from the lobbying firm MRH Solutions to assist in securing a designation that, if approved, could provide millions of dollars in additional funding for city development.

Led by Tim Nugent, alliance president and CEO, the organization has been in existence since 2007

In 2024, the city of Dixon has grown through various developments, anticipated a historic change in health care offerings and dealt with shocking news because of clemency granted by President Joe Biden.

The Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry showcased numerous events and activities during its special 110th year in 2024.

When a group of civic-minded volunteers saw their town in need of a helping hand, they got together to give it one; now, several years later, their efforts have paid off, and Erie is feeling renewed, refreshed and revitalized.

Terrabis, a new marijuana dispensary in Dixon, will have its grand opening celebration from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at 1679 S. Galena Ave.

The city of Joliet is developing a grant program for Chicago Street businesses to help protect jobs and sustain business operations during and after the downtown construction. The City Council will review Tuesday,

The Will County Center for Economic Development gave its annual report at a breakfast at the Bolingbrook Golf Club Friday, addressing issues of housing, business development, and employment in the county.

Despite unexpected wrinkles in a year of transition, members of a countywide group that advocates for economic development said Friday they believe DeKalb County is poised for growth.

The business incubator houses 24, 1,500-square-foot units for small business owners to grow their operations in a low-rate lease space with access to workplace amenities, equipment and two loading docks.

$100,000 grant award announcement Monday night coincides with council’s acceptance of newly completed strategic plan.

State and local officials say tax incentives were never delivered as job numbers fell short.

X-Golf Shorewood is geared to golfers of all levels: experienced, beginning golfers and even non-golfers, according to owner Jeff Bass.

Scooter’s Coffee will celebrate its grand opening in New Lenox on Friday with a ribbon-cutting and special offers.

Lions Electric, manufacturer of electric buses and trucks, did not provide details on its future plans for its Joliet factory. Mayor Terry D’Arcy said he believes operations stopped as of Monday.

Sterling Industrial Development Commission approves motion to recommend sale of vacant properties in the 200 block of West Seventh Street to T&P for $1.

The Whiteside County Board has approved a special-use permit for a proposed solar farm at McCue and West LeFevre roads, where Nexamp Solar LLC wants to build the LeFevre Road Solar Project.

Economic development relies on more than financial investments and strategic policies — it’s also fueled by mentorship, writes Melissa Amedeo of the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation. Mentorship is a key component of Elevate, the county's young professionals group.

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.