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A
Great Place to Live, Work and Play
As
the chief city on the beautiful Rock River, Rockford, Illinois has a
lot to offer. Recognizing this, numerous civic, business, and recreational
groups and individuals have joined together over the past few years
to revitalize Rockford’s downtown area. The results are amazing.
The City Hall has been expanded and renovated. Davis Park has been created
at Founders Landing. Better housing and improved police and fire protection
have been implemented. And that’s just the beginning.
Blueprint
for Rockford’s Future: 2005
In March of 1994, Mayor Charles E. Box spearheaded a community-wide
planning process called “Blueprint for Rockford’s Future:
2005.” More than 500 Rockford citizens participated in developing
a vision for the city and an implementation plan to reach that vision
within ten years. They wanted Rockford to forge ahead in the 21st century
with a united effort that would encompass residents, neighborhoods,
and businesses on both sides of the river. This is the second implementation
year for the plan and successes are starting to mount.
Rockford
2000 Alliance
In September 1998, Mayor Box formed the Rockford
2000 Alliance and charged it with creating a significant and
memorable celebration for the Rockford area community. This celebration
was to focus on the community, people, past, and future of Rockford.
The mission of the Rockford 2000 Alliance was to create a celebration
that bestows a legacy of unity, pride, and vision upon the community
family. What resulted was “Rockford 2000—A Tapestry of Possibilities,”
a yearlong celebration that began with the First Night Festival, New
Year’s Eve, 1999 and culminated on January 1, 2001. Something was
going on every day of the year, from special events to recognizing volunteers
to forging partnerships that will last into the 21st century. Because
of this program, Rockford was selected by the White House as an “Official
Millennium Community.” The momentum of this program definitely
has carried forward into the 21st century.
On the Waterfront
On the Waterfront
has been a part of community activities since 1986. Its mission is to
support not-for-profit organizations and local businesses. A major goal
is to enhance the image of the community by creating a total entertainment
experience for a diverse audience in Rockford’s downtown River
District. This goal was met when the On the Waterfront Festival debuted.
The Festival, which attracts 400,000 people, provides opportunities
to aid nonprofits raising money by offering entertainment. This includes
food and beverage booths, ticket and button booths, beer tents, and
numerous special events. Nationally-known entertainers, including Rockford’s
own Cheap Trick, take the stage. Recent festivals have included more
than 90 nonprofit participants, more than 40 food booths, and more than
30 special events.
Rockford Area Council of 100
Since 1980, the Rockford
Area Council of 100 has provided economic development leadership,
working to attract new business and retain current businesses in Rockford
and the surrounding area. According to Tonya Lamia, Communications and
Marketing Manager, “The Rockford Area Council of 100 staff functions
as a nonprofit consulting company to provide professional, confidential
client services at absolutely no cost to the client.” From assisting
in relocation, building permits, public relations, and workforce development,
to providing information and access to local and state programs, statistical
and demographic data, public officials, and area suppliers, the Council
is just a phone call away.
Fiber Optic Downtown
Recent development activity in downtown Rockford includes upgrading
telecom- munications capabities with fiber optics. The entire downtown
area can now connect to the rest of the world using efficient and expeditious
technologies with maximum bandwidth.
East State Street State Street is located in the heart of Rockford.
Once the center of Rockford’s commercial activity, East State Street
is now a desirable and popular shopping and business mecca stretching
for several miles toward the Rock River. Several national and regional
stores such as Target and Kohl’s and a large number of restaurants
and pubs give shoppers and visitors a variety of shopping and dining
choices.
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