Kankakee MSA COVID-19 Response & Recovery: State of Illinois Disaster Recovery

COVID-19 information & resources regarding State of Illinois Disaster Recovery.

COVID-19 information & resources regarding State of Illinois Disaster Response.

COVID-19 has taken the world by storm, impacting our daily lives, businesses and our future. Though we all wish circumstances were different, now is an ideal time for each of us to refine our vision and business strategy. Introducing the Economic Alliance’s six-part “COVID-19 Pivot” entrepreneurial support series.

The Economic Alliance of Kankakee County is available to coordinate with federal, state and local officials; our workforce, utility, finance and other core partners; our primary employers and small business owners; and prospective investors.

Following a year of record-setting industrial expansion, the Kankakee, Illinois, market saw some stabilization in 2019. Still, in its “Leading Metro Locations” Q4 2019 report, Area Development magazine ranked the Kankakee Metropolitan Statistical Area first in the Midwest and sixth among 399 MSAs nationwide for 5-year Economic Growth.

Gardant Management Solutions, the largest provider of assisted living in the state of Illinois, has moved its headquarters to Bourbonnais. The new corporate office, which is located at 4882 North Convent Street, better accommodates the company as it continues to expand its portfolio and hire additional staff. The 150,000 SF multi-tenant Class A office/call center formerly occupied by Cigna Corporation has 125,000 SF remaining available for lease. Gardant was previously located at 535 E. North Street in Bradley.

The vacant 1.4-million-square-foot warehouse location in Manteno — formerly occupied by Sears Logistics — has been reportedly leased by Lowe’s Home Improvement and will be the company’s newest distribution point.

As society increasingly becomes dependent on technology, organizations must reciprocally learn about cyber attack risks and how to increase privacy controls. The goal of Olivet’s Cybersecurity lecture series is to help students and the greater community understand cyber risks.

Beginning in January, Kankakee Community College is hosting a course that provides skills in the
emerging field of solar installation.

Grant Park Village President Marty Roth and Village Trustees have commissioned a team
of planning, market economics and branding experts led by Hitchcock Design Group to
prepare a Regional Positioning Plan for the Village of Grant Park. Upon completion of the
3-phase, 8-month project, consultants expect to deliver a well-defined, multi-dimensional
strategy to help the community leverage its unique resources and market characteristics
to effectively compete for new residents, business and visitors.