May 2024 Newsletter

The GEDC is proud to join the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in celebrating Economic Development Week, a global initiative highlighting the dedication of economic development professionals in fostering sustainable growth and prosperity.

The week is an opportunity to reflect on local economic development wins over the past year:

• CPV Three Rivers Energy Center finished its construction on its $1.2 billion, 1,250 MW natural gas plant and became operational in June 2023, powering up to 1 million homes and businesses.
• Procter & Gamble completed its 1.3 million sq. ft. highly automated distribution facility and became operational in 2023.
• GE Appliances / Haier broke ground on a 1.2 million sq. ft. distribution center which will be open in March 2025.
• Walmart’s new 500,000 sq. ft. distribution center opened in 2023.
• GEDC along with community partners received a $600,000 economic resiliency grant and a $400,000 grant to do transportation planning.

The GEDC and the Grundy County Chamber of Commerce have begun the next stage of the Grundy Resiliency Project: an economic diversification and resiliency plan for Grundy County. The strategic plan will be developed by TIP Strategies, an economic development consulting firm with extensive experience and expertise in resiliency planning. The plan, funded by a $600,000 U.S. Economic Development Administration grant with a 20% match from Grundy County, aims to identify actions and strategies which will serve to bolster Grundy County's economy into the future. 

The steering committee's "kickoff meeting" with TIP Strategies took place on April 30, during which the group discussed foundational questions about the quality of life in Grundy County as well as the economic challenges the County faces:

• Favorite things about living in Grundy County included the sense of community, the small-town/rural feel, easy access to the Chicago metro area, its safe environment, and its quality schools.
• Challenges Grundy faces raised by the group included growth pressures from certain industries (especially on roads and transportation infrastructure), reliance on large industry, housing cost and availability, the attraction of professionals to the area, and ensuring available jobs are well-paying.
• Opportunities mentioned in the discussion included growth in population and business, revitalization of downtowns, planning coordination among local leaders, the westward expansion of Joliet Junior College, adding housing developments, attracting high-paying jobs, and adding amenities within communities.

For more information, please visit ResilientGrundy.com, and please stay tuned - We look forward to your input in the months to come!

Our Annual Legislative Breakfast, held at the Morris Country Club on April 29, saw its highest turnout yet with nearly 200 attendees. The event featured a panel discussion with all six of Grundy County's state legislators, covering topics ranging from energy, carbon capture, and teacher shortages to the CN railway's proposed Chicago Logistics Hub intermodal in Channahon. The gathering provided a platform for dialogue between the business community and our state legislators, highlighting the group's focus on community collaboration as Grundy County continues to grow.

Thank you to Illinois State Senators Bennett, Joyce, and Rezin, as well as Illinois State Representatives Bunting, Davis, and Haas, for their engagement with the community. 

Thank you, also, to our event sponsors, including CN, Joliet Junior College, Clarius Partners, Comcast, Constellation, and Nicor.

Please plan to join us on July 30 for our yearly lakeside celebration thanking the GEDC's generous investors and our dedicated local leaders. More details to come!

Thank you to CN and the City of Morris for their sponsorship. Additional sponsorships available.

Project Rise 2.0 - A battery materials company with an existing US presence is seeking a site for a manufacturing facility. Sites in Grundy County were submitted to Intersect Illinois.

A data center prospect is considering acreage near the Brisbin Road interchange.

Dresden Seeking License Renewal - We're excited to share that Constellation Energy has filed an application with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission seeking to extend its operating license for Dresden Clean Energy Center for an additional 20 years, through 2051. To learn more about this application and the process, click here.

Welcome, New GEDC Investor, Witech Excavating - Witech Excavating has grown into a full-service civil earth-moving, mass grading, and specialized excavating contractor located in Crete, IL. Founded in 2001, Witech Company owns and operates over 150 heavy earth moving machines. The company's success has been built on repeat business and satisfied client referrals in the industrial, commercial, energy, communication, and large residential industries.

Future of Natural Gas Webinars - In March, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) launched a statewide initiative, the "Future of Gas" proceedings, to assess the impact of decarbonization and electrification goals on the state's natural gas infrastructure. GEDC encourages all businesses to stay engaged. Click here to sign up to learn more or to participate in upcoming webinars.

GEDC Internship Program Beginning 12th Year - 14 Grundy County organizations and businesses are in the process of interviewing and hiring from a pool of applicants from Grundy County's high schools for 37 paid summer internships. Thank you to our partners in education at GAVC and Grundy's High Schools, our partners at the participating organizations, and Senator Sue Rezin for championing the program. Looking forward to another great summer of meaningful experiences for Grundy's up-and-coming professionals!

May 27 - Memorial Day | GEDC Office Closed

June 11 - Executive Board Meeting | 7:30 AM

June 20 - Full Board Meeting | Wesley Center

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