International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 AFL-CIO ("Local 150") has been awarded a Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity Mega Sites Grant from the State of Illinois to develop a 700+ acre site that is located on the northern boundary of the City of Wilmington, Illinois, in Will County on former Joliet Arsenal property.

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The Site is part of the property that was placed under the original control of the Joliet Arsenal Development Authority (“JADA”) which—in partnering with various levels of government, union labor and the private sector—developed the nearby 1500-acre Centerpoint Trust Industrial Park and the 770-acre BNSF Intermodal Facility, both of which opened in 2002 resulting in the creation of thousands of dollars and billions in private investment.

 

The Site, which was formerly JADA controlled property, is the remaining part of a 1030-acre property located east of IL 53 and north of South Arsenal Road known as the Island City Industrial Park, which is next to the Local 150 training facility, and an approximately 70-acre Illinois Transport logistic repair facility, which opened in 2012. 

 

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The Site already is development-ready with work completed related to roadway, sewer, water and other utilities. The Site is also within an established enterprise zone (Joliet Arsenal Enterprise Zone), which offers a number of economic incentives, such as ad valorem tax benefits and relief from certain development related fees and taxes. The Site which is extremely well positioned to attract future development due to its geographic advantages, including proximity to two intermodal facilities, and ease of access to I-55 and I-80 as well as I-57. The region around the Site has become the largest inland port in the nation. 

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​JADA is supporting Local 150 in its development of the Site consistent with surrounding heavy industrial and transportation uses.   JADA brings a superior record in developing the surrounding area.  Together, Local 150 and JADA will endeavor to attract industrial, manufacturing, transportation and other similar developments that will create thousands of jobs and coexist with surrounding uses.

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