UPS Keeps Investing in Rockford with $25 Mil Upgrade & Heavy-Freight Expansion

UPS recently invested $25 million into its Rockford RFD facility, which is the company's third largest regional parcel-sorting facility. The sizable investment increases the hub's sorting capacity by almost 50 percent and adds 200 more employees within three years.

The UPS site also added a new heavy-freight facility in 2006. The $7.4 million, 70,000 sq. ft. expansion is another reason why this UPS site has the second most flights in the UPS system.

The #1 package-delivery company in the world likes the Rockford area and how it performs. Contact Eric Voyles, vice president of national business development at 815-987-8118 x106 or evoyles@rockfordil.com for more information.

Unique Airport Infield-Development Opportunity

A 177-acre development site that has 44 acres with direct airfield access is ready for immediate aviation-oriented development at the Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD).

Ranked as the 19th fastest-growing cargo airport in the world and the 4th fastest-growing cargo airport in the U.S. according to Air Cargo World, RFD is home to UPS's 3rd largest regional parcel-sorting facility, as well as DHL and BAX Global.

Site Highlights

• Excellent site for air cargo, MRO operations, and air-dependent businesses of any size
• Located between RFD's primary runway (10,000 ft x 150 ft) and secondary runway (8,200 ft x 150 ft)
• Infrastructure in close proximity
• Site is part of a 6,600-acre Global Trade Park campus that encompasses RFD and surrounding businesses; approved TIF redevelopment area
• 1,000-plus acres of developable ground within the Global Trade Park for industrial and commercial needs
• Easy access to I-39, I-90, I-88 and Union Pacific Global III intermodal facility

Contact Eric Voyles, vice president of national business development at 815-987-8118 x106 or evoyles@rockfordil.com for more information.

RFD Highlights

• A380-capable, Category II/III Instrument Landing System, congestion-free, independent airspace with 24/7 FAA air traffic control tower
• RFD is home to Rockford Port of Entry (Customs & Border Protection) and grantee of FTZ #176 which currently encompasses 1900 acres on site. FTZ designation permits operators and users to delay, reduce or eliminate customs duties for products entering their zone site or subzone
• Same-day service possible through new Centralized Examination Station (CES)
• International arrival terminal with U.S.D.A. and immigration services available
• Integral part of western Chicago's In-Land Port
• 25th largest air cargo airport in the U.S. (95th in the world) and growing with non-stop international-capable service to Europe, Africa, Asia, Middle East and South America
• Funding programs available for infrastructure improvements, including roads, aprons, utilities and site work
• RFD and the City of Rockford actively seeking developers

Training Grants Available

Are you taking advantage of training grants from the state? Anderson Packaging, a leading pharmaceutical packaging company in Rockford, received a nearly $300,000 grant through the Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP) to help train its employees.

ETIP supports Illinois workers' efforts to upgrade their skills and remain current in new technologies and business practices, enabling companies to remain competitive, expand into new markets and introduce more efficient technologies into their operations.

The grants may reimburse Illinois companies for up to 50 percent of the cost of training their employees. For more information, visit www.commerce.state.il.us/dceo or contact Eric Voyles, vice president of national business development at 815.987.8118 x106 or evoyles@rockfordil.com for more information.

For more information on this or other incentives, contact the RAEDC at 815.987.8118 or email information@rockfordil.com.