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MAKERS MADNESS
Mar 6 2024CAST YOUR VOTEVoting is now open for this year's Makers Madness: The Coolest Thing Made In Illinois, presented by Comcast Business.The competition is designed to highlight the many different products made in Illinois, including everything from food products and military flashlights to automobiles and components for the aerospace industry. This...
In anticipation of significant weather coming to northern Illinois on Tuesday, ComEd is preparing for potential power outages as it gets equipment and additional crews in place. The current forecast call for strong winds with gusts up to 50 miles per hour, hail and rain.“We are taking proactive steps now...
The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, in concert with Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, and our partners in the business community hosted a webinar on February 22, 2024 to discuss the recently enacted federal Corporate Transparency Act (CTA).The new CTA will have a sizable impact on thousands of small businesses in...
On February 13, 2024, Growth Dimensions Economic Development and Illinois Manufacturers' Association presented “Navigating Laws & Legislation.” The event was sponsored by NorthWest Illinois Alliance of REALTORS.Donovan Griffith, Vice President of Government Affairs at IMA, did a wonderful job of bringing the audience up-to-date on governance and legislation in the...
Makers Madness: The Coolest Thing Made In Illinois, presented by Comcast Business Nominations: February 14 through March 3 Nominations Voting: March 5 through March 17 First Round: March 19 through March 24Second Round: March 26 through March 31Final Round: April 2 through April 7Awards Luncheon: April 10 in Springfield
Capitol Warehousing and the Greater Rockford Airport Authority (GRAA) networked with industry and business partners, as they held an open house on Thursday, January 24, 2024. The open house, sponsored by BDG International, Inc., was the region’s introduction to the newly-activated Foreign Trade Zone 176 (FTZ#176) services available at Capitol...
Region 1 Planning Council (R1)'s new online social engagement tool makes giving feedback more convenient, inclusive, and transparent. Called Engage R1, this tool allows you to fill out community surveys, tell us your opinion on regional plans, and follow the progress of all open projects. Time, transportation, physical ability, or...
On Friday, January 5th, Growth Dimensions Economic Development for Belvidere and Boone County officially opened their new office, located at 982 Belvidere Road, in Belvidere. After ten years co-located in Belvidere City Hall, the community-based organization moved to a new location which promises to provide businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs direct...
The following press release is from illinois.gov. To view the original, click here.CHICAGO, October 30, 2023 - Governor Pritzker issued the following statement regarding the tentative contract deal reached by UAW and Stellantis:“With the announcement that United Auto Workers and Stellantis have reached a tentative agreement that’s good for workers...
Manufacturing facilities play a pivotal role in shaping the economic, social, and environmental landscape of a community. These facilities serve as the backbone of a region's economic vitality, contributing to job creation, innovation, and economic & community development. Let's explore the importance of manufacturing and their facilities in a community,...
Boone County held a ribbon cutting at 10:30am Friday, September 8th, 2023 to officially reopen the Poplar Grove Road Bridge over Beaver Creek. The previous load-restricted bridge did not meet current design and safety standards. The new $2.3 million bridge was completed on time and underbudget.Community members have been anxiously...
Agriculture holds immense importance in America due to various economic, social, and environmental reasons. Here are some key aspects of why agriculture is vital in the United States:Economic ContributionAgriculture is a significant contributor to the U.S. economy. It generates billions of dollars in revenue each year, providing employment to millions...
Walmart Selects Rockford-Area for New High-Tech Distribution Center for Fresh and Frozen Groceries
Jun 20 2023The following press release is from Walmart Inc. 1.2 million square-foot facility in Belvidere, Illinois to create new local tech-powered jobs Belvidere, Ill., June 20, 2023 – Today, Walmart announced plans to build a 1.2 million square-foot high-tech perishable distribution center (PDC) in Belvidere, Illinois. The new facility, located approximately 12 miles east of...
For the second year in-a-row, Growth Dimensions participated in and supported the Accelerating Creatives & Entrepreneurs (ACE) Conference & Expo.
The 2023 ACE was held at the MPOWR Coworking + Collaboration Center in downtown Rockford, on May 11th. The event attracted more than 50 small business owners, entrepreneurs and...
Boone County is seeing a flurry of activity in new and expanding business construction.
Growth Dimensions is currently working with 54 new businesses and 31 existing businesses.
The Belvidere-Boone County Enterprise Zone continues to yield substantial investments in locations prime for...
State of Illinois Launches Blue Collar Jobs Act Construction Tax Credits for Illinois Businesses
May 24 2023The following press release is from illinois.gov. To view the original, click here.SPRINGFIELD, May 17, 2023 - Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced the launch of the Blue Collar Jobs Act (BCJA) Tax Credit application for eligible companies. BCJA is a bipartisan legislative package designed...
Economic growth is the core of a community’s vitality. The ability of businesses to operate and flourish offers jobs for residents, increases financial opportunities and improves the overall quality of life in an area. But starting and running a business is a challenging endeavor. From the established company to the...
On January 18, 2023, we celebrated the graduation of Angelica Zarco, Nancy Tejeda, Ruth Mendez and Esteban Gutierrez, as they successfully completed the first-ever Spanish-led Kauffman FastTrac® Program for entrepreneurs in Belvidere and Boone County, IL, offered through Growth Dimensions.
Participants followed a rigorous 10-week schedule, covering five content areas: ...
Illinois Legislature Amends REV Illinois Act
Dec 12 2022The following is an excerpt from Thomson Reuters, published on December 6, 2022 in the article titled, "Illinois Legislature amends REV Illinois Act; Makes Other Tax Changes," written by Margaret Eisler.
The Illinois Legislature has adopted changes to the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act (REV Illinois Act), including...
Established in 1979, Growth Dimensions Economic Development provides a progressive and cooperative environment which improves the quality of life by fostering economic opportunity and personal growth. With economic development partners throughout Belvidere-Boone County, Growth Dimensions is advancing a coordinated economic development strategy to create jobs, promote community assets and stimulate...
A ceremonial groundbreaking held on August 25, 2022, marked the official start of construction on the future home of General Mills’ 1.3 million square foot warehouse and distribution center, in Belvidere, Illinois.
This facility, located on 111 acres at the intersection of Irene Road and U.S. Route 20, will...
Boone County has seen an abundance of growth over the past few years across industries in the automotive, food processing, and retail sectors.
Anchors in Our Community
Automotive
In 2016, Fiat Chrysler Automotive (FCA) announced its plans to invest $350 million to retool in the Belvidere Assembly...
Work is in progress on the development of a 1.3 million square foot warehouse and distribution center for General Mills in Belvidere, Illinois, at the intersection of Irene Road and US-20. Thanks to the efforts of the City of Belvidere and Boone County, the 160-acre parcel for development was annexed...
Rock Valley College Holds Ribbon Cutting at ATC
Mar 31 2022Nearly two years after Rock Valley College (RVC) voted to open their Advanced Technology Center (ATC) in Belvidere, Illinois, they held their ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, symbolizng the official opening of the facility.
During the ribbon cutting presentation, event attendees heard from RVC and Belvidere...