Economic Development

Located just 90 minutes from Chicago, Madison, and Milwaukee, Rockford serves as the commercial, logistics, and manufacturing hub of northern Illinois. Its strategic connectivity—via direct interstate access, major rail lines, and one of the nation’s fastest-growing cargo airports—provides businesses with the scale, workforce, and multimodal infrastructure needed to compete regionally and globally.

Home to roughly 350,000 residents within the MSA and drawing from a labor shed of more than one million people, Rockford offers an appealing blend of urban convenience, suburban character, and natural amenities. The community is known for its skilled workforce, affordable cost of living, and vibrant culture. Residents enjoy award-winning parks and forest preserves, renowned museums, a thriving arts scene, diverse dining, and extensive biking and recreation networks—all supported by ongoing revitalization efforts.

Rockford’s livability continues to be one of its greatest strengths. The city combines attainable housing, short commute times, strong healthcare systems, and high-quality educational options with an expanding entertainment and recreation environment. Families, young professionals, and retirees alike benefit from a community that is large enough to offer urban amenities yet small enough to feel accessible and connected.

Economic inclusion is central to Rockford’s development strategy. The City partners with business associations, nonprofits, and community organizations to expand equitable access to opportunity. Local programs strengthen minority- and women-owned enterprises, support small business growth, and enhance workforce training to create sustainable employment across all neighborhoods.

Rockford’s infrastructure advantage is anchored by its multimodal transportation system, including I-39, I-90, and U.S. 20, offering seamless access to major Midwest markets. The Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)—the nation’s 13th-largest cargo airport—supports significant logistics operations for carriers such as UPS and Amazon Air. With direct access to surrounding highways, trucks can reach 70 mph within five minutes of leaving a loading dock (“70-in-5”), enabling efficient, time-sensitive freight movement.

Rockford stands at the intersection of opportunity, innovation, and quality of life. With a supportive business climate, growing industries, and a community committed to inclusive prosperity, the city offers an ideal environment for companies and residents to thrive. Whether investing, expanding, or relocating, Rockford provides the connectivity, talent, and momentum to move forward with confidence.

• Economic Development Programs - arabic (PDF)
• Economic Development Programs - spanish (PDF)
• Economic Development Programs (PDF)