In her State of the Village address, Woodridge Mayor Gina Cunningham took note of the business community’s desire to thrive.
“For without your hard work, your investment in the local economy and community I love, none of this would be possible,” she said.
The Feb. 1 event, presented by Chamber630, was at Woodridge Village Hall.
Cunningham said that in the new year, people can expect to see a number of new developments.
In the fall, Cedarhurst will open an assisted living and memory care facility at the southwest corner of Route 53 and 75th Street. The new development will offer 47 assisted living units and 26 memory care units to provide residents with added options as their living needs change.
Construction of Pulte Homes Uptown at Seven Bridges, though still currently under construction, offers a number of models for occupancy. This 80-unit residential development is comprised of three-story homes within walking distance to entertainment and shopping destinations.
AMS Mechanical Systems is now constructing a 145,200-square-foot warehouse and corporate headquarters for their mechanical, electrical and plumbing construction services company in the Union Pointe Business Park located near I-55 and I-355. That development is expected to open this spring.
Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant is relocating their corporate headquarters and winemaking facility to Woodridge’s Union Pointe Business Park. The new location will occupy 121,000-square-feet and is set to open this summer.
Union Pointe Business Park is currently being developed by Gallagher & Henry Homebuilders and Conor Commercial Real Estate and adds nearly 1,100 jobs, more than $70 million dollars in investment, four corporate headquarters and more than 1.1 million-square-feet of new commercial space.
“Continuing to build and foster strong and healthy relationships is a primary goal for the village board and myself,” Cunningham said. “If there is one key message from this morning’s presentation, it is that the village of Woodridge has listened and they’ve listened to you.”
Recent village board action brings no increase in the village’s property tax rate and eliminates the 5 percent water/utility tax.
Cunningham said both of these measures illustrate the village’s responsiveness to the business community’s concerns.
“You also said that you were looking for financial incentives to help with business expansion,” she said. “I’m very excited to share that part of the approved 2017 budget includes $160,000 for business grants to encourage business expansion and reinvestment in the village’s 19 shopping centers.”
More details on the shopping center grant opportunity will be sent to interested businesses within the next month.
The hope, according to Cunningham, is that area businesses will see the village’s commitment.
“We will continue working together to help our local businesses grow and prosper,” she said.