Kankakee MSA Ranked #1 in Midwest for 5-year Growth

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.

Congratulations to Manteno-based Urban Farmer and its founding partner Warren Ouwenga.
The company is being honored by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois Economic
Development Association for the role it played in 2018 in developing jobs and bringing prosperity
to Illinois communities.

Nucor Steel Kankakee, Inc. is upgrading its Chicago region steel bar mill by investing $40 million
for a new state-of-the-art continuous casting machine and other improvements. The company
is also currently completing its $180 million merchant bar quality mill expansion at the site, which
is expected to begin operation later this year.

Since the launch in July 2018, people have taken more than 2,800 trips on the 50 “Bike 609 – Powered by Zagster” bikes between the 11 docking stations in the metro core communities of Kankakee, Bradley, Bourbonnais and Manteno.

When local Kankakee County residents Siron and Tim needed new employment options, they turned to River Valley Metro. Now they are both enjoying successful and sustainable career paths.