|
|
|
|
|
I want to send my deepest gratitude to the members, staff, and all of the volunteers who contribute their time and energy to Growth Dimensions. Now more than ever, their continued support and commitment to the organization is helping make strides toward economic revitalization in Belvidere and Boone County. Strong public and private partnerships help our organization obtain measurable successes and work towards diversifying the economy of the region. Many of Growth Dimensions' accomplishments could not be achieved without the support from those individuals and entities who partner with us to work towards progress in our economic development programs and initiatives.
I wish you and your family a healthy and prosperous 2010.
Sincerely,
Richard K. Van Evera
President, Growth Dimensions Board of Directors |
|
|
| Growth Dimensions Remains Involved in Plans for Future of Belvidere Assembly Plant |
 |
Being at the table, building off of past collaborative successes, and building long lasting international relationships are just a few of the key elements when discussing the future production opportunities at the Belvidere Assembly plant after the production of the Dodge Caliber, Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass comes to an end in 2012.
READ ON
| |
| BioVantage Updates Production Equipment |
 |
|
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.
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.
| |
| Comprehensive Economic Development Plan Submitted to EDA |
|
|
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).).
| |
| Acument Global Expands Belvidere Operations |
 |
|
Acument Global Technologies, parent company to Camcar Belvidere, has expanded production and increased employment at their Belvidere facility. Acument's Belvidere location is absorbing operations from other company plants that have recently closed their doors.
Just over a year ago, the plant's operations were under review by corporate as it looked at ways to become lean, stronger and reduce excess capacity corporate wide. As a result, the Belvidere plant became a receiver of production from other facilities within the corporate fleet.
READ ON
| |
|
Packer Engineering Unveils Prototype
|
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.
|
|
| |
|
RMAP Applies for Grant to Assist with Regional Infrastructure Projects |
 |
|
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.
In September the leaders of the Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning presented an overview of a Transportation Investment Generating Economy Recovery", or "TIGER Discretionary Grant" requesting $71.4 million from the Department of Transportation.
| |
| General Mills Receives 2009 Partnership Award |
 |
|
General Mills was named recipient of the 2009 Ameren/Illinois Development Council Business Partnership Award. The company was recognized for its partnership in community outreach through leadership service on several area civic organizational boards. In addition, over the past five years General Mills completed a $50 million capital expansion and its Belvidere facility with the obligation to create 75 new jobs and retain 358 jobs.
| |
| Growth Dimensions and the Boone and Winnebago Counties Workforce Investment Board, Inc. Forms Collaboration and Seeks Federal Funding for Energy Training Initiative |
|
| The Northern Stateline Regional Energy Training Initiative will focus on strategies to train and teach workers the skills required for employment in emerging energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors in which the new jobs that will be created will, in turn, aid the economic growth in the region. The training programs will prepare individuals for careers in the biofuels industry, renewable electric power industry, and manufacturing that produces sustainable products using environmentally sustainable processes and materials.
| |
| Another Addition to the Kishwaukee Riverfront Path Completed |
|
Growth Dimensions' Kishwaukee Riverfront Development committee continues to make progress with the completion of additional mileage on the Kishwaukee Riverfront multi-use recreational path. In 2009, the latest portion developed was a path extension from State Street to Beloit Road. There are currently 6.86 continuous miles completed that stretch from Doty Park through Belvidere Park, the Boone County Conservation District and on to Prairie Fields.
| |
| Hardware Store Locates to Poplar Grove |
 |
|
Poplar Grove Pro Hardware has opened it's doors at 13530 Julie Drive. The store is the 14th business in theCountryside Square development, which is located off of Route 76 in northern Boone County.
| |
|
Area Trade Delegation Attends BioEnergy Days in Sweden, Looks Forward to 2010 Event in Rockford
Mark Williams, Growth Dimensions' Executive Director was part of nine-member delegation that attended 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. Bioenergy Days 2010 will be held in Rockford from September 27-29.
|
|
|
|
| |
| Poplar Grove Celebrates Sesquicentennial |
 |
| The Village of Poplar Grove celebrated their 150th anniversary this year. Poplar Grove was originally platted on October 20, 1859 by Evi Sherman Sr. and was originally called Shermantown. Two years later the village was renamed to Poplar Grove because a grove of poplar trees was nearby a newly built train depot. Poplar Grove's population is currently near 4,000.
| |
Integrated Defense Technologies Granted Zoning Amendment and
Another Opportunity for Defense Contract
|
 |
|
Integrated Defense Technologies (IDT) (Corrugated Metals) in Belvidere received approval from the
Belvidere City Council for a zoning text amendment to allow for the expansion of their operation. The company added a 40,000 square foot addition to it's existing facility on Morreim Drive in 2007.
Efforts by IDT in Belvidere to successfully bid for a Department of Defense contract to manufacture Expeditionary Earth Filled Protective Barriers were temporarily squashed when the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) awarded the contract to a United Kingdom based company. With the help and support of Senator Dick Durbin and Congressman Don Manzullo, the City of Belvidere, Boone County and Growth Dimensions, the DLA agreed to re-bid the contract providing another opportunity to IDT. The award would create 75-100 jobs.
| |
| Geothermal Installed in District 100's Washington Elementary |
 |
|
Washington Elementary School has completed a "green" improvement 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. The new geothermal system has an estimated annual savings of $91,460 ($61,460 energy and $30,000 maintenance).
| |
| More Growth Dimensions Activity in 2009... |
 |
|
February- Growth Dimensions hosted the Manufacturer's Appreciation Breakfast. The event featured a workshop presentation on "Waste to Profit" by Mary Hallock from the Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center.
May- Growth Dimension staff attended the 2009 Wind Power Expo in Chicago at the McCormick Place
May- Mark Williams, as chair of the Illinois Development Council (IDC), attended the "IDC Annual Site Selection Consultant's Networking Event at the Ball Park" in Chicago. The event was sponsored by IDC.
| |
| Power Ventures to Develop Plant in Boone County |
|
|
Power Ventures Group received approval from the Boone County board to develop a natural gas fired plant in Spring Township just south of I-90. The project is expected to generate $135 million investment, create 125 jobs at peak construction time and 50 position on average for 15 months and 9 permanent jobs upon project completion. | |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Growth Dimensions is a 501 C (6) public-private corporation for economic development founded in 1979. Growth Dimensions coordinates and manages the strategic initiative projects that are identified in the Belvidere-Boone County Economic Development Strategic Plan. The organization maintains close contact with the city, village, and county officials and development staff regarding development codes and standards. Growth Dimensions is also the lead liaison for manufacturing companies in Boone County, regarding public sector issues and the delivery of economic development services.
200 S. State Street, Belvidere, IL 61008
Office-815-547-4252
Fax- 866-353-2772
www.growthdimensions.org
|
|
|
