Thinking about developments By Fred Cederholm

Column for on/after February 10th, 2008

I’ve been thinking about developments. Actually I’ve been thinking about 2007/2008, metropolitan Rochelle, location, Allstate, expansion(s), new construction(s), and the Hub City Business Expo. The national stories on page one hardly have been upbeat and inspiring. 2007 was not a year of good news and 2008 is already shaping up to be not much better. The chronicles of my weekly column have not been “a cheerful earful,” but I’ve been remiss on my local focus of events.

You see the late Chicago Real Estate mogul Arthur Rubloff said: “the three most important things are location, location, and location.” Location and prudent management/ planning/awareness make all the difference. Rochelle is known as the HUB City for good reason. There are five major road thoroughfares which connect Rochelle. Two major national railroads intersect the city. Global III - the world’s largest railway intermodal - is here. The third leg of RMU’s massive internet tele-communication’s triangle (Rochelle, Rockford, Chicago) was completed. President George Bush (a Republican) complimented Governor Rod Blagojevic (a Democrat) because Illinois fared so well in 2007, but Rochelle’s corner of Ogle County was the biggest business bright spot in the entire state!

Just two weeks ago ground was broken for Allstate Insurance’s, “the good hands’ people,” multi-MILLION dollar data facility as the anchor for Rochelle’s new Business and Technology Park. Allstate looked at 31 locations in 17 states and chose Rochelle. In good economic times, this would be great news. In this economic environment, this is PHENOMENAL news!!! But… there is more.

2007 saw the completion of Sara Lee Corporation’s 120,000 square foot expansion of their refrigerated/ freezer warehouse which doubled their storage/transfer capabilities. A 15,000 square foot office complex was also added to their facility in Rochelle.

Rochelle’s state-of-the-art ethanol production facility, Illinois River Energy, broke ground in August for their phase two expansion. It is on-schedule and on-budget for completion in April 2009.This will double their ethanol output from 50 MILLION gallons to 100 MILLION gallons.

Hormel Corporation’s Rochelle Foods Division completed their newest production line for their vacuum-sealed microwaveable entrees – ready to eat in just 90 seconds. (They are all good, but trust me, the pot roast, and spaghetti & meatballs ones are exceptional!) These require no refrigeration and have a shelf life of two years.

Pro Logis - the world’s largest owner, manager and developer of distribution facilities –signed on as a partner to Rochelle’s growing commercial development projects. The new strip mall on the old A-and-W drive-in site welcomed Family Video. The new Walgreen’s Store is going up on the former Rochelle High School site ,while the ground preparations continue for the new SUPER WalMart location on the Lincoln Highway. In my little hometown of nearby Creston, Contry Homes ( www.contryhomes.com ) just took out their eighteenth building permit for their new Creston Commons housing subdivision. This marks a record amount of new home construction for us here.

On Saturday February 16th from 10 AM to 4 PM, the Rochelle Area Chamber of Commerce will host their Annual Business Expo at the Rochelle Middle School. Admission is free. Parking is free. Approximately 40 local businesses will feature booths explaining their services and product offerings. There are many door-prizes given away and demonstrations presented. Local service organizations will offer food, beverages, and home baked goods. The League of Women Voters will provide voter registration services at the Chamber of Commerce Booth. You owe it to yourself to find out what all is happening in the HUB City. Bring your family… you’ll have a great time and you’ll learn plenty. I’m Fred Cederholm and I’ve been thinking. You should be thinking, too.

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