Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation

The next CSEDC Quarterly Economic Development forum will focus on a regional effort to support the expansion of the existing manufacturing companies in the region.  The Forum will highlight innovative manufacturing companies and will discuss what the region can do to facilitate their expansion.  One ascpect of the conference will be a review of a growing manufacturing opportunity in the Midwest to supply components to renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines and solar systems.  Please email reggie.greenwood@ssmma.org to discuss this regional manufacturing expansion program.

BY KRISTEN SCHORSCH, Staff writer  A clock tower, a “great hall” waiting space and a cafe where commuters could grab a meal are some amenities planned for the renovated 80th Avenue Metra train station in Tinley Park. Village leaders hope the features will rival those of their award-winning train station across town on Oak Park Avenue. “The station is going to be another architectural moment, so to speak,” Mayor Ed Zabrocki said. “We asked Legat, ‘Can you outdo yourself on 80th Avenue?’ I think they did.”

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BY Lynda Hemmerling CorrespondentCenterPoint Properties is moving ahead with plans to develop an intermodal facility in Crete, even though interest on the part of potential tenants has not been as strong as the company would have liked. CenterPoint executive director Neil Doyle told the Crete Village Board last week that the economy has many companies struggling but CenterPoint “is on solid footing,” Doyle said. The development would be situated on some 1,000 acres at the southeastern edge of Crete, where goods would be transferred between trains and semi-trucks. Many of the goods would be transported to the facility by rail from southern United States ports. Read the rest of this entry »

BY SUSAN DEMAR LAFFERTY, Staff Writer Economic times may be tough, but New Lenox is moving forward with plans for additional commercial projects. Meijer was given the green light to build a 156,000-square-foot retail store on 18 acres within the 130-acre Cedar Crossings shopping center on the southwest corner of U.S. 6 and Cedar Road. Trustees approved the site plan during Monday’s village board meeting. Although the store is not yet on Meijer’s construction schedule, it only needs a building permit from the village to begin work. Read the rest of this entry »