Rockford economic rise: mayor State-of-City, Kmart global marketplace [developing]
Key Questions
What economic highlights did the mayor mention in the State-of-the-City address?
The mayor touted population growth, the hottest housing market, a 33% income increase, $523M in tourism revenue, and $150M in infrastructure projects including Auburn, Newberg, Madison, 11th, and Metra improvements.
What is planned for the former East State Kmart building?
The property was bought for $6.5M by Shi and Jiang to create a global marketplace with an ethnic food hall, featuring local vendors and hires.
What new events and openings are happening in Rockford?
A Boutique Crawl with 16 shops runs through May 1; Gallery Grounds arts cafe opens mid-June; these align with Hachi and Cahoots openings. An art-centric cafe and event space is also coming downtown.
Mayor touts pop growth, hottest housing, income +33%, $523M tourism, $150M infra (Auburn/Newberg/Madison/11th/Metra); former East State Kmart $6.5M buy by Shi/Jiang for global market/ethnic food hall, local vendors/hires; Boutique Crawl 16 shops thru May1; arts cafe Gallery Grounds mid-June; aligns Hachi/Cahoots openings.