Economic Development
Rock Falls Economic Development
In 2017, Rock Falls celebrates its Sesquicentennial (150th) and our ability to thrive and endure through the years is why we pride ourselves on our hard-working, friendly people and businesses that are both capable and willing to serve and assist.
Founded on the south bank of the Rock River in eastern Whiteside County in 1867 by A.P. Smith, Rock Falls is on your way no matter where your destination. Centrally located between the Iowa/Illinois Quad Cities to our southwest and Rockford on our northeast, Rock Falls is located at the intersection of US Route 30 and Illinois Route 40 and is adjacent to Interstate 88 with two interchanges. Downtown Chicago is only two hours away and the western suburbs are only an hour’s drive.
The Rock River remains our community’s most valuable recreational asset and is a part of the 330-mile long Rock River Water Trail which is recognized by the National Water Trails System. Home to some of the world’s best cat fishing, we are now the home of the Bass Pro Shop’s Big Cat Quest Fishing Tournament. The Rock River is also a quiet Mecca for recreational boating. The historical Hennepin Canal runs through the city’s east side with great recreational trails along its banks. The City offers peaceful, scenic park views with tennis courts, ball diamonds, soccer fields, picnic shelters, canoes and paddle boats and plenty of parking.
Rock Falls is the birthplace of the world famous jazz drummer, Louie Bellson who was deemed “the world’s greatest musician” by Duke Ellington. Louie often returned to Rock Falls and played many concerts for his hometown fans.
Rock Falls is very proud of its workforce, schools, healthcare facilities, recreation, clubs and organizations and most importantly, its people. By pulling together, we are making things happen in Rock Falls.
I invite and encourage YOU to stop and enjoy our town. Find out why we are ‘Proud of our Past’ and confident of our Future!
William B. Wescott, Mayor
Available Sites
Opportunity Zone Property
This 2.8 acre development property is located along the southern bank of the Rock River with scenic views of American Bald Eagles flying and fishing just yards away. This Opportunity Zone property is located right off of Illinois Route 40 and just 2 miles from the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway (I-88). The acreage is shovel ready (building shown in photo has been demolished) with municipal electric, wastewater, water & gigabit fiber available. The City of Rock Falls municipal electric has a Platinum RP3 rating as a Public Power Provider and is the highest ranked municipal electric system in the State of Illinois.
Glen’s Garden Subdivision
This 65 acre development property is conveniently located less than 800 yards from the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway (I-88) interstate exchange. It is highly accessible from the interstate exchange with a 240 ft. taper into a 500 ft. full-width northbound turn lane into the property. The property is zoned for Mixed Use Development (MU-1). Its frontage sits along IL Route 40 and it is also less than 4/10 of a mile from heavily traveled US Route 30.
Municipal water, wastewater, electric and fiber are currently available, making this a perfect shovel ready site. Rock Falls’ utilities are second to none, with the Rock Falls Electric Department having the national RP3 ranking as a Reliable Public Power Provider.
Interstate East Property
This +/- 61 acre development property is located 250 yards from the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway (I-88) interstate exchange. Frontage is adjacent to IL Route 40 and US Route 30 is less than ½ mile to the north. This acreage is prime for commercial use and is zoned B-2. Strategically located along the CKC Expressway, IL Route 40 & US Route 30 make this property perfect for developers desiring high traffic counts. Municipal water, wastewater, electric and fiber are currently being extended to this property.
Incentives
Enterprise Zone Incentives
A wide variety of development incentives are available through the Whiteside County Enterprise Zone including:
- Property Tax Abatement
- Sales Tax Deduction on Building Materials
- Demolition
- Investment Tax Credit
- Machinery & Equipment Sales Tax Exemption
- Utility Tax Exemption/Machinery and & Equipment Deduction
For details on incentives, visit the Whiteside County Economic Development & Enterprise Zone site.
For more information please contact:
Whiteside County Economic Development
Gary Camarano
Whiteside Carroll Enterprise Zone Administrator
200 East Knox Street
Morrison, IL 61270
Phone: (815) 772-5182
[email protected]
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
The State of Illinois offers businesses excellent incentives to locate and do business in the State of Illinois, including tax credit and exemptions, job training grants, low interest loans and many other incentive programs.
Facade Grant
The Façade Improvement Program provides grant funds to property and business owners to be matched by their equal or greater investment of private funds for the purpose of restoring and renovating commercial storefronts and replacing deteriorated or poor quality commercial signs and awnings. Funds are provided as a grant via reimbursement after all projects costs have been paid. Business must be “open for business” before reimbursement is granted.
Convenient Airport Access
The Whiteside County Airport is conveniently located less than ½ mile from the Kansas City-Chicago Expressway interchange.
Joseph H. Bittorf Field has a 6500 ft. runway.
