Marengo based Interserve, Inc. is a privately held company providing custom displays, product samples, sample kits, and fulfillment to an international client base. The new facility will consolidate the company's Marengo and Belvidere operations.

Interserve, Inc. has entered into an agreement with LandMark Real Estate Group LLC for the design/build purchase of a 42,000 sq. ft. manufacturing and distribution facility in LandMark Logistics Park in Belvidere.

Logistics Park, LandMark's fourth and newest industrial development continues to benefit from its proximity to the I-90/39 corridor and U.P. Rail. Approximately 43 contiguous acres remain fully developed and available.

Ed Lowenbaum of LowenbaumRep represented Interserve, Inc. in the transaction. Growth Dimensions also worked with Mr. Lowenbaum to provide information on financial incentives and available infrastructure associated with the project. Shane Van Sickle of LandMark Real Estate Group represented the seller.

*Information Provided by LandMark Real Estate Group LLC

Representatives of area business organizations and economic development agencies are launching an effort to help companies in this area recruit and train new employees.

To help make the connection between employers and potential workers, a Job and Career Fair will be held January 23rd from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Community Building in Belvidere, located at 111 W. First Street. Over 60 area companies with employment opportunities are participating. Agencies providing job skills training and other career assistance will also take part.

The business collaboration includes representatives from the Workforce Connection and Boone and Winnebago Counties Workforce Investment Board, the Rockford and Belvidere Chambers of Commerce, Growth Dimensions of Belvidere and Boone County, the Rockford Area Economic Development Council, Winnebago County, Abilities Center/TECHWORKS and Rock Valley College.

Please click here for more information on the job fair and for a list of participants.

The "State of the County" will be the featured topic at the upcoming Boone County Growth Summit. The summit will take place on Thursday, January 24th from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 610 Bonus Avenue in Belvidere.

Various segments of the private sector will give brief presentations on the economic conditions they experienced throughout 2007, along with an economic outlook for what may be expected in 2008. The program will also include discussion on the county referendums that will appear on the February 5th ballot.

This event is open to the public.

A ribbon cutting ceremony marked the opening of the University of Illinois Boone County Extension Office at Alexandra Drive in Belvidere.

The extension center is in Belvidere Business Park and currently occupies 4,3745 square feet. of the 7,000 square foot facility. The center continues to offer programs to help individuals, families, farms, businesses and communities in Illinois. It is the home of the county's 4-H Program for youth as well as being the home of the Boone County Master Gardeners.

Pictured Above Right: Tom Lassandro, Belvidere Area Chamber of Commerce; Mayor Fred Brereton; Earle Mailand, U of I Extension Center Director; Carl Rappolo, Winchester Builders; State Representative Ron Wait

Growth Dimensions for Belvidere Boone County and the Belvidere Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the Boone County Manufacturer's Appreciation Breakfast on March 5th in the Community Building Complex of Boone County, 111 W. 1st Street, Belvidere.

The event will include a presentation from the Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center on how to Improve Manufacturing Productivity and Competitiveness through lean manufacturing.

Franklin Wire Works of Belvidere will also present their story of how the company successfully implemented the lean process into their manufacturing and business operations.

The breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. followed by the program ay 8:00 a.m.

If you would like to attend, please call the Belvidere Chamber office at 815-544-4357 or Growth Dimensions at 815-547-4252 no later than February 27th.

Event sponsors include IMEC, Nicor and ComEd.

Mark your calendars: the Growth Dimensions' 2008 Annual Dinner will take place on Wednesday, April 30th, 2008. The event will feature Dean Foods and their valuable presence in northern Illinois through the years.

The dinner will take place at the Community Complex of Boone County. Further details will soon be announced.

We look forward to you joining our 2008 Annual Meeting Celebration.

The Belvidere Area Chamber of Commerce 93rd Annual Dinner will be held on Tuesday, March 11th at the Clock Tower Resort & Convention Center, 7801 E. State Street in Rockford.

This year's event program will feature Norb Ziemer, Director of Growth Dimensions' AgTech Initiative, as he presents on the topic of "Going Green."

The event will begin with social hour at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:45 p.m.

For more information or to make your reservations, please call the Belvidere Area Chamber of Commerce office at 815-544-4357 by March 4th, 2008.

The Illinois Manufacturers' Association has announced the formation of a new Manufacturers' Environmental Group (MEG) within the Association to help our efforts in the legislative and regulatory arena. To help navigate complex environmental issues at the Capitol and assist individual members address specific issues, the IMA has retained the services of an expert, Dave Kolaz, to coordinate the efforts to make sure that businesses are able to compete in the economy while working in an environmentally-friendly manner.

Mr. Kolaz is an environmental consultant with Conestoga-Rovers & Associates and licensed Professional Engineer in Illinois with more than 35 years of experience, including serving as the Chief of the Bureau of Air at the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). In that capacity, he managed a 325-member team and $90 million budget while responsible for all aspects of Illinois' air control programs. Mr. Kolaz is a frequent speaker and has provided expert testimony at countless legislative hearings and public forums.

With the new Manufacturers' Environmental Group, the IMA will continue to be the leading voice on environmental issues for manufacturers at the State Capitol. Below are other new services available to IMA members including:

• The MEG will coordinate the IMA's response to the report issued by Governor Rod Blagojevich's Climate Change Task Force
• A new group will meet to discuss and debate important pieces of legislation, rules and regulations that impact industry
• A new Environmental Newsletter published during the year will provide important up-to- date information and notices to member companies
• Specific advice and consulting, at no additional cost, will provide individual member companies with answers to their environmental questions

For more information on the IMA, please visit www.ima-net.org.

*Information provided by the Illinois Manufacturer's Association

Corporate innovation guru Doug Hall will headline the Rockford Chamber's 2008 Manufacturing Dinner and Expo on March 12th at Cliffbreakers. In his keynote, Hall will present "Made in the USA-Choices for Growth," sharing his successful formula for helping manufacturers create new revenue streams by implementing measurably smarter growth choices.

Hall is founder of the Eureka! Ranch, an innovation think tank. He has spent 25 years creating and developing new ideas and products for such companies as American Express, Nike, Procter & Gamble, and Walt Disney. A self proclaimed "Business Robin Hood," Hall's personal mission is to take what has proven successful for large companies and transfer these methods to help America's smaller companies.

To register for the Annual Manufactures Appreciation Dinner visit rockfordcham ber.com or call 815.963.8123.

Pictured Above Right: Doug Hall