The Northern Illinois Commuter Transportation Initiative's (NICTI) Alternative Analysis Study is complete and the NICTI Executive Committee unanimously approved the UP rail line route, beginning in Big Timber, going through Huntley, Marengo Belvidere and ending in Rockford.

On May 29th, the Rockford Area Transportation Study (RATS), the area's metropolitan planning organization, accepted the recommendation from the NICTI Executive committee and RATS then voted unanimously in favor of the route.

The NICTI project management team is now developing a plan to propose moving the Amtrak project to the Chicago-Belvidere-Rockford route in order to improve the travel times and eliminate areas of cost duplication that could occur if both lines operate on a different route.

Dave Taylor, NICTI chairman, is very excited about the positive economic impact that commuter rail service will bring to Boone and Winnebago Counties.

"There are still a number of challenges that will need to be met but I feel that the successful track record established by NICTI will provide the momentum to move this project forward," stated Taylor.

Belvidere Mayor Fred Brereton sees the selected rail route as being instrumental enhancing the competitiveness and economic position of Belvidere in the northern Illinois Region.

Mayor Brereton said, "Once passenger rail service is restored, it will enhance Belvidere's role as the bridge between the Rockford Metropolitan Area and the Chicago Metropolitan Area, providing greater opportunities for job growth, investments and an improved quality of life."

The Belvidere Assembly Plant is placed in the top 10 Chrysler facilities for productivity levels, and the local plant takes high honors in assembly and engine categories.

Chrysler LLC announced on June 5th that its manufacturing productivity has improved by 31.4 percent over the last seven years, taking nearly fourteen hours out of the average time it takes to assemble a vehicle, including its major components. In 2007 alone, Chrysler's Manufacturing Operations assembled a vehicle an average of 30.37 total labor hours per vehicle (HPV). Chrysler posted a 7.7 percent improvement in total manufacturing labor productivity to tie with Toyota as industry leaders, according to the Harbour Report North America 2008, the annual study released by Oliver Wyman.

Four Chrysler LLC plants scored among the top ten assembly plants, including the top spot for the Toledo Supplier Park, which produces Jeep® Wrangler and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Other assembly plants in the top 10 include: Belvidere Assembly Plant (No.4) which builds Dodge Caliber; Jeep Compass, and Jeep Patriot; Jefferson North (Detroit) Assembly Plant (No. 8) which builds Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Jeep Commander; and Brampton (Ontario, Canada) Assembly Plant (No. 9) which is home of the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger SRT8.

Chrysler facilities were the vehicle-segment leaders in three categories: Belvidere Assembly, in Non- Premium Conventional segment for Dodge Caliber; Belvidere Assembly in Compact Non-Premium CUV for Jeep Compass and Patriot; and Jefferson North, in Midsize Non-Premium Utility for Jeep Grand Cherokee.

In Transmission Assembly, Chrysler was the top performer with an average of 3.36 labor hours per transmission, a 1 percent improvement from last year. The Kokomo (Indiana) Transmission Plant was a repeat leader in the Front Wheel Drive category for the A504 4-speed transmission assembly of 3.51 labor hours per unit.

"We set out to reach this goal in 2001 when we had the highest HPV among the North American OEMs that are tracked in The Harbour Report, and to have reached this goal is truly an example of how successful we can be," said Frank Ewasyshyn, Chrysler LLC Executive Vice President - Manufacturing. "The journey is never-ending; our Manufacturing Operations will continue its focus on producing high-quality vehicles that satisfy the needs of our consumers, while applying our Smart Manufacturing strategy for even greater performance."

*Information provided by Chrysler LLC (http://www.media.chrysler.com/newsrelease.do? id=7904)

Oakley Sub Assembly, an automotive supplier of tire and wheel assemblies to Chrysler, is expanding and will now be providing uniformity testing on all assemblies it provides to the Belvidere Assembly Plant. According to plant manager, Michael McNulty, the uniformity testing goes beyond the basic balancing of the tire and wheel combination that goes on the Jeep Compass, Dodge Calibur and Jeep Patriot.

The addition will be a 30,000 square foot facility just north of the current Oakley Sub Assembly facility on Tripp Road in Belvidere's Sager Business Park. Operations in the newly expanded building are expected to begin in fall of 2008.

ComEd and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) are introducing a new energy efficiency and demand response programs that can provide significant savings to businesses and local government on their electric bills.

During the workshop, you will be able to view program exhibits. Throughout the day, you will have an opportunity to learn about energy-saving products and technologies. There will also be breakout sessions about specific programs. Plus, representatives from ComEd and DCEO will be able to answer your questions and tell you about program guidelines and qualifications.

The workshop will be held on June 27th at Cliffbreakers Riverside Resort, Rockford. Please click here to pre-register.

For more information, visit www.ComEdCA RE.com or www.illinoisenergy .org

View event flyer here.

The BankCentre is now a bronze member of the Belvidere-Boone County economic development organization.

The BankCentre is a division of Midwest BankCentre, a St. Louis-based financial institution with a local office located at 6870 Rote Road in Rockford.

The BankCentre is focused on serving the small and medium-sized business community with financing solutions for business expansion, acquisition and real estate needs.

Growth Dimensions thanks The BankCentre for their support and looks forward to their partnership in the organization.

The 2008 Annual Report is now available online. This year's report highlights the organization's progress and accomplishments throughout 2007 and 2008, along with special focus on the direction of Growth Dimensions primary initiatives, Tollway Station Point Project and the AgTech Initiative.

Please click here to view the 2008 Annual Report.

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Growth Dimensions, the Belvidere Park District and the Boone County Conservation District are joining together to raise funds for further recreational path development throughout Belvidere and Boone County with the "Party on the Path event on Saturday, August 23rd.

The event will include a non-competitive 5K race, a walk, roll and stroll with the family and also a dog walk so participants can bring their four-legged friends. The race begins at 8:00a.m. and will route through Belvidere and Spencer Parks.

Entertainment will continue into the afternoon hours. Napoleonic War Re-enactments, which will include about 150 re-enactors from around the country, will have two shows at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. in the Boone County Conservation District Spencer Conservation Area. There will also be Live music throughout the afternoon by the Moon Dogs, Phoenix and the Missing Links behind the River's Edge Recreation Center at 1151 W. Locust in Belvidere. Activities for children will also be on hand.

All proceeds from the event will go towards future projects for improvements in the Belvidere and Boone County path system.

To register, call Kelly at 815-547-4252 by August 15th and receive a discounted registration price. Registration will also be taken on the day of the event.

Please click here to see the event flier for registration information and for more details on the Party on the Path events.