The Rockford Area
Mid-America’s Best International Aerospace Community
Rockford Region – Your New Home
Competitive Business Environment
Unbeatable Logistics Location
Instant Aerospace
Supply Chain
Sophisticated Industrial
Labor Force
Competitive Business
Environment
Global Community
Unbeatable Logistics LocationIn the World, Illinois has:
• 2nd busiest airport (O’Hare International)
• 3rd largest multi-modalport system
In the US, Illinois is:• 1st in interstate & railroad
connections• 5th largest economy
($671b)• 5th most populated state
The Rockford Region is Part of the Chicagoland Market
Unbeatable Logistics LocationStrategically located:
• 6th highest concentration of aerospace production workers
• 800,000+ people within 30-40 minute commute
• One of Illinois’ fastest growing regions
• 60 minutes to O’Hare International• 90 minutes to Chicago’s
Center Business District • 90 minutes to Milwaukee’s
Business District• 13+ million people within
2-hour drive• 75% of U.S. businesses within
24-hour truck driveRockford is the 2nd largest central city in Illinois!
Unbeatable Logistics Location
Air• 26th largest U.S. air cargo
airport• UPS’ 2nd largest U.S. air
hub
Truck• 4 interstates• I-39 is among most
connected interstates in U.S. for domestic & international trade
Rail• 4 of 7 class-one railroads• UP’s largest intermodal
facility
Logistics Services• 60+ Motor Freight Carriers• Watco’s multi-product
transload facility
Instant Aerospace Supply Chain
Industries that best fit Rockford’s strengths and services:
• Aerospace manufacturing and R&D• Automotive manufacturing and R&D• Rail manufacturing and R&D• Industrial machinery manufacturing and R&D• Logistics and distribution• Back office operations• Metals manufacturing and R&D• Food processing• Chemicals & plastics manufacturing• Healthcare-related service
Instant Aerospace Supply Chain
Instant Aerospace Supply Chain250+ companies, including 11 tier-one suppliers, provide products to the
global aerospace and aviation industry, making our region one of the largest clusters in the U.S., and attracting new investments & expansions
of current companies, including…
Instant Aerospace Supply ChainRockford’s cluster demonstrates technological strength in products for military, commercial and space vehicles:
•Global Leader in design & manufacturing of engine control systems•Global Leader in electric power generation, distribution and control systems•Global Leader in advanced cockpit-to-surface solutions for actuation and flight control systems•Fuel & special fluid pumps•Gearboxes•Movement of spare or component parts, globally
Rockford aerospace supply chain provides:•Advanced materials and composites•Maintenance, repair and overhaul•Parts & components distribution and production•Sheet metal•Software systems•Systems design and engineering support•Tooling
Instant Aerospace Supply Chain
Rockford Area Aerospace Network (RAAN)• Increase focus
on workforce development
• Expand businessdevelopmentopportunities
• Encouragesupplier development
• Lead businessattraction
• Foster innovation• Build a brand
Sophisticated Industrial Labor ForceConcentrated Manufacturing Talent above National Average:
• 6.6 x machinery manufacturing employment and R&D• 5 x transportation equipment manufacturing and R&D• 4.5 x metals manufacturing and R&D• 3,500 employed in engineering and architecture• Significant Patent Activity
Leading Manufacturing Community in Illinois• 1st in aerospace manufacturing with 80% of Illinois workforce• 2nd in manufacturing employment • 2nd in “on & off” road vehicle manufacturing • 2nd in industrial machine manufacturing
More than 20% of the Rockford area’s workforce is employed in manufacturing, twice the national average.
Sophisticated Industrial Labor Force
Labor Availability• 50-mile labor force of 1 million+• Estimated labor force of 435,000+ people within 40 minutes• 8.9% unemployment – 15,000 available workers• 48,000 commute out of Rockford Metro (Census 2011)
◦ 20% of these work in goods-producing industries◦ 73% considering taking a comparable job in Metro
(Pathfinders Survey 2007)
Strong skills and work ethic (2010 Foote Consulting Group study)• Primary labor force of 150,000 within 20 miles• More than 17,000 with manufacturing skills• 55% have10 or more years on the job• 63% with experience in second field• Existing employers noted “the great work ethic and labor pool here”• “Very good” ratings for turnover and productivity
Sophisticated Industrial Labor Force
75+ universities in region offering advanced technical degrees…
10.6 million 15-24 year olds within 500 miles
Sophisticated Industrial Labor Force
Sophisticated Industrial Labor Force
Competitive Business EnvironmentBusiness friendly tax environment:
• Foreign Trade Zone #176 – reduces supply chain cost• Illinois offers the 5th lowest effective tax rate on new investment in the
U.S. (Ernst & Young, 2011)• Machinery and personal property – exempt from property tax• Manufacturing machinery – exempt from sales tax• No inventory tax• No gross-receipts tax
Competitive Business EnvironmentLow Cost of Doing Business• Average annual salary is 15% less expensive than Chicago area
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2013
• Save average of over $1 Million in purchase costs on a 50,000 sf building in the Rockford area vs. the Chicago area building
• Save average of $57,000 annually on property lease cost in the Rockford area vs. the Chicago area
Source: Colliers International, Q1 2014 Industrial Market Report
Chicago Area Average Annual Salary
Rockford Area Average Annual Salary
Savings % Savings
$49,820 $42,350 $7,470 15%
Chicago Area Rockford Area Average Annual Saves for Rockford Area Site
Average Annual Lease Rate/Sf $4.31 $3.17 $57,000Average Sale Price/Sf $46.45 $23.03 $1,171,000
Global Community
International Trade Center
• Foreign Direct Investment• Global Partner Search• Soft-Landings• Export Assistance• Foreign Trade Zone
Global Community• FTZ #176• 9 Sister Cities• Immigration Services• International gate at airport• U.S. Export Assistance Center• Top 4% in ethnic diversity in Illinois• Export growth of 46% from 2010-2012• Illinois SBDC International Trade Center • 63rd most export intensive GMP in the U.S.• 35+ languages spoken in Rockford Area schools• Hosted 13 international trade delegations in 2012• Participated in 1 international trade show in 2012• Immigration through Investment EB-5 Visa Regional Center• 100+ companies from 20+ countries invest in the Rockford area• Projected export growth of 70.5% by 2020 – 32nd highest in nation.
We welcome you to our growing international region!
Global Community• Best park district in nation• 7,000+ parkland acres• 85 public parks• 21 public golf courses• 6 country clubs• 9 public libraries• 10 museums• 12 art galleries• 1 symphony orchestra• 4 community theaters• 2 indoor ice arenas• 2 water parks • Ski Resorts• Cost of living 92% of U.S. averageRockford is home to the Rockford IceHogs AHL hockey team, official affiliate for the NHL Chicago Blackhawks, 2010 and 2013 Stanley Cup Champions.
Welcome to the Rockford Region!The Rockford Region is one of the largest epicenters of aerospace activity. It is in the center of a major economic region with assets vital to the aerospace industry.
In the Rockford Region you will have access to: • U.S. and Global Logistics Networks• An Instant Supply Chain• A World-Class Workforce of Technical and Manufacturing Talent• A Reduced Cost of doing business• A Global Community
The Rockford Region will ensure you are successful operating as an important player in the Rockford manufacturing community.
What can we do for you?Services Available• Confidential assistance for site search and business plan formation• Database of available sites and building profiles• Wage and labor market information• General, statistical, economic and demographic info• Employer training program information• Energy cost information and comparisons• Business climate cost analysis• Coordination of state and local incentives• Business financing programs• Relocation services
Carrie ZethmayrExecutive Director, Trade & Investment