We Are The Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce
Earlier this year, the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, Rockford Area Economic Development Council, and the Greater Rockford Growth Partnership boards voted to merge organizations in an effort to provide more value to our members and investors. This value comes in different forms such as resources, a more collaborative network, talent/workforce support, and a collective voice to policy makers.
Read more from Board Chair Terry Voskuil about how this transition will streamline the organizations, implement foundational changes and structure to realize the mission, and build a foundation for successful years to come.
Grow Your Business Here
The Rockford Region is an ideal place for businesses looking to expand and thrive, particularly those in the aerospace, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing industries.
Companies have the opportunity to enjoy property tax abatements, investment tax credits, state tax exemptions, dividends deductions, and more.
Workforce
The Rockford Region has established nimble, industry-specific, and customized education-to-workforce pipelines ensuring the region has the skilled workforce essential to fulfilling the requirements of jobs that are good today, tomorrow, and in the future.
Aerospace
The Rockford Region is home to four tier-one companies and more than 250 suppliers within a 90-minute radius. Our current collection of companies serves aerospace industry leaders such as AAR, Boeing, and Airbus. These businesses are world-renowned corporations focused on designing, manufacturing, maintenance, overhaul, and selling aerospace products.
Advanced Manufacturing Industry
The Rockford Region is also ideal for manufacturing companies. Businesses located here understand the importance of quality and consistency. The region’s long history of making things transfers these qualities from automotive, to aerospace, and to medical device manufacturing. From large scale, long run parts to customized small runs our region has a company that can do it.
We even offer a great pool of suitable manufacturing sites. In fact, the construction engineering company Carter and Burgess conducted a study that found that the Rockford area is an optimal location for site selection.
Logistics
We are within miles of four interstates and four major railroads, along with several airports, including the Chicago Rockford International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport. With proximity to these major distribution resources, companies can transport their products with speed and efficiency.
Your Opportunity Region
The Rockford Region is an excellent location for aerospace, advanced manufacturing, automotive, logistics, healthcare, hydraulics and customer service call centers.
At one time the Rockford Region was a center of excellence for farm implement and furniture manufacturing. The combination of these industries allowed Rockford to diversify into machine tools, heavy machinery, automotive, aerospace, fasteners, cabinet hardware, packaging devices, and toys.
Incentive Programs
Our Incentive Zones target areas such as River Edge Redevelopment Zones and lots that are currently sitting empty, and offer benefits such as lowered property taxes or a rebate based on the improved value of a property after a renovation.
Many Qualified Sites or shovel ready sites are located within Enterprise Zones or TIF Districts.
You can also check out our resources for workforce development, flexible financing, and rebates for energy efficiency.
- Incentive Zones
– Enterprise Zones
– TIF Districts
– Opportunity Zones - Tax Credits and Exemptions
- Workforce Training
- Flexible Financing
- Energy Efficiency
Welcome to the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Team
The Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Team markets the region to attract new capital investment, while assisting existing business with resources for sustainable growth. We work closely with many partners to improve the competitiveness of our region by taking what we learn from the region’s employers and the community in the daily work of economic development. The Economic Development Team also serves as the area’s data collection agency on all new capital investment, new and retained jobs, and new or renovated space.
Are you considering a relocation or expansion? Please contact us today at 815.987.8118
