Decatur, Champaign EDCs Announce Partnership.

DECATUR, IL, April 19, 2017 – Businesses in the Decatur area now have local access to the most comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States. Officials from the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) of Decatur – Macon County and Champaign County EDC announced the expansion of the Illinois Small Business Development Center and International Trade Center.

“Strategic relationships with quality organizations like the Champaign County EDC will bring additional resources to benefit businesses in the Decatur community,” said Ryan McCrady, President of the EDC of Decatur – Macon County. “This will also help improve the economic development opportunities in all of Central Illinois. Combining the unique assets of Macon and Champaign counties will create a formidable presence with respect to business attraction and expansion in the region.”

Click here for the full press release!

An Illinois SBDC “Starting Your Business in Illinois” workshop will be held at the Decatur EDC office on May 11th from 9-11 AM, and on May 25th from 2-4 PM. Attendees must RSVP by contacting carly@champaigncountyedc.org or 217-359-6261.

Akorn Celebrates New Expansion & Warehouse with Chamber Ribbon Cutting

Decatur, IL – The City of Decatur, Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Corporation, and Akorn, Inc. will celebrate the opening of the 30,000-square foot expansion to Akorn’s existing packaging facility on Decatur’s West Side on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 11:00 am. This $5.6 Million project helped retain 200 jobs and create an additional 25 positions.

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Akorn breaks ground on their new $25 Million expansion!

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DECATUR – The City of Decatur, Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce, state and local officials and representatives from Akorn held a groundbreaking today at 1222 W. Grand to announce the company’s $25 million new lab and pilot plant. This 60,000 square foot expansion is to accommodate its growing pharmaceutical development, analytical and microbiology testing laboratories and manufacturing facility which employs 276 employees.

The project is part of a multi-year capital improvements plan that will add local jobs and serves as the latest example of the company’s commitment to the Decatur community. The expansion is in addition to recently announced Wyckles facility expansion that retained 235 jobs and could create new employment opportunities as the plant receives new product approvals.

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CN, ADM and Midwest Inland Port drive increased container shipments over Decatur, Ill., intermodal ramp

CHICAGO, Aug. 23, 2016 — CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI), Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) and the Midwest Inland Port (MIP) said today their collaborative logistics and marketing efforts are driving increased container shipments over ADM’s privately owned intermodal ramp located in Decatur, Ill.

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OmniTRAX Affiliate Partners with Topflight Grain Cooperative to Operate Decatur Central Railroad!

The Midwest Inland Port and the EDC are proud to announce a new joint venture that will bring greater utilization of Decatur & Macon Counties rail services!

A managed affiliate of OmniTRAX, Inc., one of the largest privately held transportation service companies in North America and an affiliate of The Broe Group, and Topflight Grain Cooperative, Inc. are entering into a joint venture to operate, drive business to and rehabilitate the line currently owned by Topflight Grain. OmniTRAX will manage the newly renamed Decatur Central Railroad, LLC, which links Cisco and Decatur, IL, commencing in late 2016.

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National Foodworks Services Opens Doors, and Entrepreneurial Ventures!

NFS Ribbon Cutting Gov Rauner

Decatur, Illinois – Just one year after construction began, National Foodworks Services (NFS) celebrates its grand opening today. The high quality food production company has been working steadily over the past year to convert the former Brush College Elementary School at 575 N. Brush College Road into a state-of-the-art food production facility and incubator. Phase one, being celebrated today, includes a large walk-in freezer, walk-in refrigeration, packaging and storage areas, loading docks and fork lift ramps.

NFS will also offer a full range of FDA approved commercial food processing including baking, bottling, freezing and affiliated food processing. NFS will further expand opportunities for small or new food concepts with full scale baking, packaging, storage, and distribution.

“We’re already seeing interest from restaurants and individuals that want to have their own products made and packaged,” said Tony Caccomo, Managing Partner of NFS. “With our state-of-the-art equipment, we have a huge cross section of opportunity.”

Phase two will include a bakery line, wet kitchen, popping, roasting, and bagging area, confectionary line, and bottling, along with training facilities for research and development.

The food incubator is unique to Decatur and Macon County. Surrounded by major manufacturers with easy access to highways and rail systems, NFS takes advantage of Decatur’s logistic advantages and location captured by the Midwest Inland Port. “Decatur and Central Illinois is uniquely positioned for food production because of its location and because of our distribution facilities,” says Jim Milano, Managing Partner, NFS. “We are in an ideal location for both distribution and location services near to producers.”

Some of the foods produced at this facility will include traditional baked goods like cookies, brownies, and cakes, to soups, frozen vegetables, salsas, candied fruits and nuts. The versatility of the facility allows for a variety of product production, and it will attract food entrepreneurs nationwide.

“NFS will fill a niche in the food product industry and can provide critical services to both large and small businesses,” says Ryan McCrady, president of the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and Macon County. “This will bolster Decatur’s reputation in food research and production, and provide a unique opportunity for food entrepreneurs to reach an expanded marketplace.  We appreciate NFS’s commitment to Decatur, and it is exciting to see the significant financial support provided to the project by many local institutions.”

“National Foodworks Services is a welcomed partner to the Decatur-Macon County agribusiness sector and food service industry,” says Mirinda Rothrock, president, Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce. “By providing innovative services through customized baking, packaging and shipping solutions, NFS will help the region expand and meet consumer needs.”

“The City of Decatur is very excited about the addition of National Food Work Services,” says Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe, City of Decatur. “What better place for an innovative food company to establish it roots than on the doorstep of Illinois’ Billion Dollar Gateway. We can’t wait to see what new Decatur-made products our future foodie entrepreneurs create!”

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About National Foodworks Services

National Foodworks Services is an incubator commercial kitchen project company. Resting in Illinois’ billion dollar gateway, National Foodworks Services offers a full range of FDA approved commercial food processing including baking, bottling, freezing, and packaging of consumer ready food products. National Foodworks Services will further expand opportunities for small or new food concepts looking to bring products to the consumer arena. For more, visit www.nationalfoodworks.com.

 

Photo

From Left to Right: Director Raymond Poe – Illinois Department of Agriculture, Ms. Andria Winters – Assistant Director, Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, Mayor Julie Moore-Wolfe – City of Decatur, Mr. Juan Luciano – CEO and President, ADM, Governor Bruce Rauner – State of Illinois, Mr. Tony Caccomo – Managing Partner, National Foodworks Services, Mr. Jim Milano – Managing Partner, National Foodworks Services, Mr. Lee Strom –  Project Director, FARM Illinois, Mrs. Mirinda Rothrock – President, Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Ryan McCrady – President, Economic Development Corporation of Decatur & Macon County

 

Contacts

Tony Caccomo, Managing Partner

National Foodworks Services

PH: 217-330-8512

 

Ryan McCrady, President

Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and Macon County

PH: 217-422-9520

Resources

Akorn breaks ground on their new $5.6 million project!

The City of Decatur, Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Corporation and Akorn Inc. announced the construction of a 30,000 Square Foot expansion to Akorn’s existing packaging facility on Decatur’s West Side today! This is a $5.6 Million project and was in competition with existing Akorn facilities in the State of New York. The facility will retain all 200 jobs and is expected to create 25 new positions. We believe this project win is a testament to Akorn’s current workforce and leadership.

For the full Press Release Click Here!