Anticipating customer demand for the fuel-efficient Dodge Caliber, Chrysler Group LLC is returning the second shift of production at the Belvidere Assembly Plant. The action will increase Dodge Caliber production by 10,000 units for the North American and international markets through the end of the year, while maintaining planned production levels of Jeep® Compass and Patriot, the other fuel-efficient Chrysler Group vehicles built at the facility in Belvidere, Illinois.

 

"We are taking this action in response to increasing demand for our most fuel-efficient products," said Michael J. Accavitti, President and CEO, Dodge Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "However, we are cautious about the continued volatility in the industry and will monitor demand in order to respond to market conditions."

 

Mark Williams, executive director of Growth Dimensions believes the second shift production is a positive step towards the recovery of our regional economy, knowing there are still effects of the 3rd shift closing and the GM plant closing in Janesville, Wisconsin to recover from. It also shows what increased market demand for fuel efficient vehicles will do for you when you are positioned with available flexible manufacturing capacity in this platform.
 

"This is great news, but knowing the volatility of the auto industry, we should not stop the momentum we've started in diversifying the regional economy into regionally aligned emerging markets that will help stabilize and strengthen our economy in the long run," stated Williams.

 

The increased second shift production will add approximately 850 employees at the Belvidere facility. This action is in addition to the more than 50,000 units added to production plans at other Chrysler Group plants.

 

"Our goal is to continually look for ways to create jobs," commented Belvidere Mayor Fred Brereton. "The leadership role by Chrysler is greatly appreciated."

The 2009 Dodge Caliber offers top government safety ratings, value, bold styling and many interior innovations in a compact car that combines Dodge attitude, SUV versatility, fuel efficiency and affordability.

 

*Information Provided by Chrysler Group LLC 

Just months after being awarded a grant through the Growth Dimensions Biomass Commercialization Award program, Packer Engineering recently unveiled a full-scale prototype gasifier that will convert lawn, farm and other bio-waste into green syngas fuel and other forms of renewable energy.  
 

Packer Engineering of Naperville, a diversified, multi-discipline, full service engineering firm, has been working to create a gasifier that produces electricity and heat from agricultural residue like corn husks or switch grass, leaving behind just sand and ash.  Once the gasifier is integrated with related technologies under development at Argonne National Lab, engineers hope it will power hydrogen fuel cells and produce automobile-grade ethanol.  The project has two components: efficiently converting crop waste into gaseous fuel and then producing electricity to run appliances/equipment or even to produce agricultural fertilizer.

 

There are approximately 2 million farms across the U.S. and Packer is designing a safe, reliable system that a farm hand can run. The input is crop waste; the output is electricity plus heat which can be used on the farm, sold back into the power grid through net metering, or used to produce fertilizer. The prototype illustrates the passion experts at Packer have for alternative energy research. 

 "Packer Engineering is developing a portfolio of renewable energy technologies that will create and retain jobs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and lessen our nation's dependence on foreign petrochemicals," said Dr. Peter Schubert, Packer's Senior Director for Space and Energy Research. 
 

The gasifier project is a partnership among Packer Engineering, Argonne National Laboratory, the city of Naperville, the College of DuPage, NorthernIllinoisUniversity and the University of Illinois-Chicago.  The project received $1million in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in collaboration with NIU's ROCK program, $160,000 from the Department of Commerce of Economic Opportunity and $80,000 from the Growth Dimensions' Department of Energy funded commercialization award.

 

Growth Dimensions encourages economic development through investment in research and commercialization projects. The organization has the authority from the US Department of Energy to award funds for projects that lead to marketable biomass products or processes. The Commercialization Awards program focuses both on strategic technology development and on commercialization.   

 

"Our goal is to create the dual benefit of energy driven biomass product platforms through generating a critical mass of projects that flow through our region that can be commercialized and manufactured here," says Mark Williams, Growth Dimensions executive director.

The current prototype is not yet large enough to offer alternative fuels to the general public, but Packer hopes various municipalities will use the same model and over time the scale will be increased. Currently, engineers plan to market the gasifier to farmers and small factories by the middle of 2010.
 

"The funding provided by Growth Dimensions is a key element to early commercialization of biomass conversion technologies," stated Schubert. "We hope to take advantage of the manufacturing capabilities in the Rockford-Belvidere area so, as much as possible, our combined heat and power system (CHP) will be "Made in the USA."

 

 BioVantage Fuels LLC is a regional scale biodiesel production facility in Belvidere that focuses on making biodiesel from used cooking oils from restaurants.  The company is currently upgrading its production equipment to increase energy efficiencies and reduce costs.  Most notably, BioVantage will be installing a methanol distillation tower on their site in Belvidere. 
 
As part of the engineering improvements, BioVantage applied for a Special Use Permit to cover the height of the new methanol distillation tower and received permit during the September city council meeting.  
 
BioVantage Fuels is on track for a fall restart of its biodiesel facility in Belvidere.  The company is in the midst of an upgrade that will enable the Belvidere plant to produce five million gallons of biodiesel annually.

BioVantage is a start up company that was established through efforts of the New Uses Entreprenuer Development Center, which is a core component of the Growith Dimensions AgTech Inititave.

Mark Williams, Growth Dimensions' Executive Director is part of nine-member delegation that will be attending Bioenergy Days 2009 in West Sweden, in the cities of Lidköping and Trollhättan, from September 28-30. Sweden is one of the leading countries in developing and implementing fossil fuel independence, a goal they began in 2006 and will reach by 2020. Next year Bioenergy Days 2010 will be held in Rockford from  September 27-29. 
 
As with the past trade delegations, the trade mission is also a time to match Rockford area-based groups and companies with those in Sweden as well as continue to attract Swedish companies that want to locate in the United States.

Washington Elementary School has completed a "green" improvements project with the installation of a complete geothermal HVAC system, which included energy efficient windows and energy efficient lighting.
 
Washington Elementary School is the largest elementary building in Belvidere's District 100, with enrollment of nearly 1,100 students.  Washington is open approximately 36 weeks per year for student attendance and during those 36 weeks, the building operates 50 hours per week for school and community events.  The new geothermal system has an estimated annual savings of $91,460 ($61, 460 energy and $30,000 maintenance).
 
District officials say that they are aware that the physical day to day environment of a school is a vital factor in student achievement.  With the aging systems at Washington in need of replacement, the focus was on a solution that greatly improved building efficiency, reduced energy costs and provided the flexibility to utilize the building all twelve months of the year.
 

District 100 Superintendent Micahel Houselog stated, "Aside from the obvious cost savings associated with this project, students and staff are now working and learning in an environment highly conducive to high levels of learning."

*Information Provided by BCUSD #100

Rockford's poor regional economy could receive federal assistance to preserve and create jobs and promote economic recovery with a significant investment in transportation infrastructure.

 

On Thursday, leaders of the Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning presented an overview of a "Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery", or "TIGER Discretionary Grant", requesting $71.4 million from the Department of Transportation. The details outlining the opportunity to apply for "TIGER Discretionary Grants" were announced last May. 

 

"We knew what was being described as eligible projects fit many of the region's objectives", said Belvidere Mayor Fred Brereton, Chairman of the RMAP policy board.  "Our application reflects a compilation of several economic development strategies and years of planning.  Much of what is included in the application is included in the region's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, with much greater detail to funding requirements for implementation", said Brereton.

 

The RMAP plan calls for the return of Amtrak inter-city passenger service which will serve the urban core of both downtown Rockford and downtown Belvidere, operational as soon asNovember 2011.  Additionally the Rockford region has been working on commuter passenger service since 2001, and has been working through the FTA New Starts process since 2004.  The region has advocated for co-location of both Amtrak service and commuter service as the most prudent expenditure of public funds.  Common to both services are passenger stations in the downtowns of Rockford and Belvidere. 

Other goals include rail consolidation in downtown Rockford to enable not only the re-establishment of rail passenger service, but also provide economic development opportunities of modern freight rail service.
 

The freight rail transportation investments proposed for the Rockford MSA are focused on strengthening the supply chains among regional industries.  RMAP officials anticipate employment growth and strengthening of the industrial base will take place within the investment areas.

RMAP Executive Director Steve Ernst said, "We expect to receive word on the grant by February, with beginning in 2010".
 
*Information Provided by RMAP

The Northwest Illinois Blackhawk Express rail coalition surpassed
its goal of individual signatures to gain support to bring Amtrak passenger rail service from Dubuque to Chicago.  More than 11,000 signatures were gained during the two-month campaign which featured educational and outreach opportunities for the region's citizens and businesses to support Amtrak passenger rail service serving Chicago, Belvidere, Rockford, Freeport, Galena and Dubuque.

A significant factor in the success of the initiative was the grassroots activities by individuals, organizations and companies to get the word out through hard copy petitions, emails, and social media.

The Blackhawk Express announced a goal of attaining signatures from 10,000 individuals and 500 businesses by the end of August. The total amount of individual signatures was 11,188 and the current number of businesses is 250 from across the region.

The next step is for members of the Blackhawk Express partners to deliver the signatures to state and federal legislators. Individuals can continue to receive updates about the campaign at www.bringrail.com.

 

The Northwest Illinois Blackhawk Express is a citizen and business advocacy group representing northwest Illinois, northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin in promoting the creation of Amtrak rail service between Chicago and Dubuque with stops in Galena, Freeport, Rockford and Belvidere.

The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Plan document was completed and submitted to the US Economic Development Agency (EDA).  The CEDS Committee was chaired by Growth Dimension's President Richard Van Evera and partner with Barrick, Switzer, Long, Balsley and Van Evera law firm and facilitated by NIU and Rockford Area Economic Development Council (RAEDC) staff along with assistance from Growth Dimensions, the City of Rockford and the Rockford Metropolitan Agency on Planning (RMAP). The CEDS Plan represents Boone and Winnebago County 's regional five-year strategic economic development plan.  The CEDS Committee was made up of 20 private sector and 18 public sector stakeholders across the two-county region.  The CEDS Plan organizes the regions economic development goals and priorities and helps qualify projects to apply for EDA grant opportunities. 

 

General Mills was named the recipient of the 2009 Ameren/Illinois Development Council Business Partnership Award. The presentation of the award was made at the recent Illinois Development Council's 2009 Annual Conference held in Lisle, IL.

 

General Mills was recognized for its partnership in community outreach through leadership service on several area civic organizational boards including Growth Dimensions for Belvidere-Boone County, the Belvidere Area Chamber of Commerce and the Boone/Winnebago County Workforce Board. In addition, over the past five years General Mills completed a $50 Million in capital expansion at its facility located in Belvidere with the obligation to create 75 new jobs and retain 358 jobs.

 

Mark Williams, executive director of Growth Dimensions and immediate past chairman of IDC, says that partnerships are critical in maintaining a strong environment for businesses and the communities to thrive in.

 

"As the City of Belvidere, Boone County, Growth Dimensions and the state of Illinois continue to partner with General Mills on expansion projects, General Mills in return provides key leadership and illustrates a genuine interest in the well-being of the Belvidere and Boone County community," stated Williams.

 

"It's a collaboration that aims to strengthen and grow the company's operations in Belvidere , and in return thousands of people in the Belvidere area will not only have good jobs but also have better social services, education programs, and emergency assistance."

 

General Mills' partnership recognition doesn't stop with capital investment and job creation. General Mills goes above and beyond to give back to the community it calls home. General Mills' commitment to the community and the local United Way organization is recognized throughout Northern Illinois. In 2008, the United Way Parking Lot Sale ended up being an over whelming success. Through employee pledges, parking lot sale, a silent auction and the General Mills Foundation match, the plant raised more than $460,000 in 2008 for the local United Way.

 

General Mills' plant manage Vince Castle believes that the dedicated employees and a positive work environment are key to the company's successes.

 

"We are very honored to receive this award! It is a true testament to the wonderful culture that we have at our plant," said Castle. "Our facility is blessed with hundreds of caring and committed individuals who understand the importance of giving back to the community."

 

Michael S. Kearney, manager of Economic Development for Ameren, said that "General Mills in Belvidere has been a stable and growing industry for the Belvidere area and the State of Illinois at-large even through cyclical changes in our economy."

The Business Partnership Award was started in 2003 and is presented annually to recognize those corporations that demonstrate the characteristics of partnership with local development groups and that lend positive support to community and economic development efforts in Illinois.

Pictured Above Left to Right: Mark Williams, Immediate Past Chairman of the Illinois Development Council; Vince Castle, Plant Manager of General Mills in Belvidere; and Michael S. Kearney, Manager of Economic Development for Ameren Services *Information Provided By the Illinois Development Council.