Rockford Mayor McNamara emphasizes job creation and housing initiatives

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara highlighted the city’s developments in his time in office, encouraging more improvements.

The mayor pointed to the creation of new jobs that have come under his leadership, including positions at the Rockford airport, local manufacturers. He also spoke about improved infrastructure across the town.

McNamara warned that the city needs to stay vigilant about changes to state and federal policies that could impact funding.

He also said he hopes to address housing during his new term.

“The more people you bring in for businesses, the more housing that you need,” McNamara explained. “We have a pretty lofty goal of creating or preserving 6,000 to 9,000 housing units by 2035. So we’re getting creative, we’re being collaborative, and being innovative when it comes to securing more housing units in the city of Rockford.”

The mayor will be able to work with the new CEO of the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce, Angela Kay, for a full term for the first time.

Kay stressed the effects a good business network can have on the entire community.

“We work very closely with all of our municipalities to help attract new businesses to the region, but even more so, to help the companies that are already here to expand and grow,” said Kay. The more vibrant our business community is, the better our region is as a place to live, work, and raise a family.”

This was the first address from Mayor McNamara since his re-election earlier in April.