Rockford unveils ‘roadmap’ to attract new business

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce unveiled its roadmap for economic growth over the next two years, aiming to attract new businesses and retain existing ones in the city.

The roadmap outlines strategies to bolster the local economy by focusing on site development and other initiatives to make the area more appealing to businesses. The Chamber emphasizes the importance of short-term planning due to the rapidly changing economic landscape.

“This roadmap really looks out 18 to 24 months. Because there is so much change in the economy and in the world, that it’s difficult to plan 5, 10 years,” said Angela Kay Larson, CEO of the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce. “And so by looking out in 12, 24-month increments, and constantly updating the plan, we can make sure we’re more agile and more on target.”

One of the key strategies highlighted in the roadmap is site development. The Chamber believes that having ready-to-go plots of land will increase the likelihood of businesses moving into the area, as it reduces the initial setup burden on the companies.

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