A rapidly changing global marketplace requires a focused, targeted and regional approach to job creation, international trade and entrepreneurial development.
The Rockford Region offers desirable jobs, excellent quality of life, low costs of doing business, hardworking people, available land for development and proximity to the largest, most diverse industrial market in the U.S., the nearby greater Chicago area.
Yet, a rapidly changing global marketplace puts our community’s prosperity at increasing risk:
- Our commercial and industrial vacancy rate is less than 6%, driving the need for shovel-ready land and modern, available buildings
- Private and public leaders must collaboratively and comprehensively plan for growth and economic prosperity
- Intensified global competition for jobs and talented workers strains our workforce pipeline and stifles company growth
Rockforward! will result in sound, pro-active economic development strategies designed to generate $2.8 Billion of new wealth in the region through the following priorities:
- Targeted Marketing and Recruitment
- Workforce Development
- Thriving Business Climate
- World-Class Business Infrastructure
- Emerging Opportunities Fund
For information on investing in Rockforward!
- View a list of our Investment Partners
- View a list of Rockforward! Co-Chairs and Honorary Chairs
- Rockforward! Investment Levels of Support
- Download a Rockforward! Schedule of Support
- Download the full Rockforward! Prospectus
- Download the full Rockforward! Brochure
- View our Return on Investment MSA Model
Rockforward! campaign publicly launched.
Nearly 300 business and community leaders attended a kickoff event for Rockforward! on October 10, 2007. To view video coverage of the event, click on the links below.
View the welcome address by RAEDC Chairman of the Board David Schertz (Administrator of OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center). (.wmv, 6.4M)
View the presentation of Rockforward! by RAEDC President Janyce Fadden (.wmv, 35 M)
View testimonials by City of Rockford Mayor Lawrence J. Morrissey, Winnebago County Chairman Scott H. Christiansen, National City Bank VP Robert King, Rockford Area Association of Realtors Immediate Past President Ginger Sreenan, Rockford Transport Vice President Craig Sockwell, and IBEW Business Manager Darrin Golden. (.wmv, 38 M)
View the Call to Action by RAEDC Chairman of the Board David Schertz. (.wmv, 4 M)
To view event photos, click here.