News and Events

Kjellstrom Family Foundation Spring Applications Due April 15...Continue Reading

Illinois Humanities partners with community-based cultural groups across the state of Illinois to support their work in the humanities and arts. Vision and Action grants provide project-based support for nonprofit organizations based in or working in Illinois. Learn more here.  Overview...Continue Reading

In order to provide needed resources and information to workers impacted by the idling of the Stellantis Assembly Plant in Belvidere, Illinois, Veterans Drop-In Center is working in conjunction with regional partners to bring an Opportunity and Resource Fair to the region. The fair is free to attend and will...Continue Reading

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...Continue Reading

Belvidere and Boone County, Illinois welcomed record-setting investments in commercial and industrial developments, in 2022. From bringing in diversified industries to strengthening our workforce pipeline, Boone County continues to be a great place to Live, Work and Play. BUSINESS ACQUISITION & EXPANSION PROJECTS In 2022, Growth Dimensions worked with 89 projects...Continue Reading

  Have you been impacted by the auto industry layoffs? The Workforce Connection can help. Check out the information below and click the link for more information or scan the QR code to...Continue Reading

Do you have an employee who you would like to see take their leadership skills to the next level or a lead person looking to fine-tune their talents? Rock Valley College (RVC) is looking for 6-8 individuals to participate in the pilot of their newly-created Leadership Development program. As part...Continue Reading

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: ...Continue Reading

On Wednesday, December 7, 2022, Growth Dimensions Economic Development honored their 2022 Investors, Board of Directors, committee members and volunteers, with a holiday breakfast. “We appreciated spending the morning with great people who are so invested in economic development for Belvidere and Boone County,” stated Pamela Lopez-Fettes, Executive Director...Continue Reading

The 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...Continue Reading

On Friday, December 9, 2022, the owners of a to-be constructed DQ Grill & Chill held a religious ground blessing and ceremonial groundbreaking at their future site located at 1610 North State Street, in Belvidere, Illinois. Belvidere and Boone County are experiencing an increase in diversified industries and businesses,...Continue Reading

Invest in Growth Dimensions to continue Boone County’s growth. Economic development is an evolving, ever-changing system of complex relationships between a community, elected officials, financial leaders and businesses. These entities are often experts in understanding local business challenges, priorities and the processes necessary to navigate toward economic growth. Investing...Continue Reading

The Boone County Community Foundation (BCCF) hosted their annual community grant breakfast, on November 15, 2022. Love + Action = Community was the theme of the breakfast, as the Foundation highlighted, celebrated, and awarded grants to organizations that provide services to and help meet the needs of Boone County! The...Continue Reading

The OM Group, along with the City of Belvidere and other local officials, commemorated the new construction of Speed Trek at an official groundbreaking on October 28, 2022. This new development, located at Genoa Road and Crystal Parkway in Belvidere, Illinois, will see a fuel center with a 12,000...Continue Reading

Welcome to Boone County in Focus, a communication keeping the community up-to-date on what's happening within Growth Dimensions Economic Development, Boone County and beyond. OM GROUP BREAKS GROUND ON NEW FUEL CENTER The OM Group, along with the City...Continue Reading

Welcome to Growing Together, a communication keeping Growth Dimensions Economic Development investors up-to-date on what's happening within the organization and beyond. SUCCESS & OPPORTUNITY IN BOONE COUNTY Pamela Lopez-Fettes, Executive Director for Growth Dimensions, gave a commanding presentation at...Continue Reading

The following is Executive Director Pamela Lopez-Fettes’ presentation, given at the Growth Dimensions 2022 Annual Reception on September 8, 2022. STATE OF THE MARKET Economic predictions and forecasting have been tossed a lot of curves this year. There have been priorities that were not foreseen, such as shortages...Continue Reading

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...Continue Reading

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...Continue Reading

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Summer is barbeque season, a time to relax with family and friends. For those willing to venture away from their backyard grills, local farmers markets and county fairs present more opportunities to find those delicious, locally-grown produce and treats. While those venues are indeed summer staples of communities across the...Continue Reading

As part of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), the Illinois EPA launched its electric vehicle rebate. The transformational CEJA law creates a pathway to phase-out fossil fuels and sets a goal of putting one million EV's on the road by 2030. Qualified EV purchases amount to the...Continue Reading

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