Our team hit the road again to attend CAPRE's 7th Annual Greater Chicago & Midwest Data Center Summit.  Jeff Fiegenschuh, Jenny Thompson and Adriana Milan attended the one-day workshop to meet and greet our Chicagoland colleagues in the Data Center industry.  It was fantastic to see so many new faces and connect with those who worked on Rochelle's own Data Center or on the other technology parks located here!  

Rochelle City Staffers Adriana Milan and Jenny Thompson recently attended Data Center World 2018 in San Antonio, Texas.  The duo attended sessions on data center location including Data Center Alley in Loudon County, Virgina, Women in Technology and networking hosted by Google. 

Governor Rauner dropped into the Hub City on Tuesday afternoon to speak with local business leaders at the RMU Technology Center. He highlighted his commitment to bringing more businesses to Illinois through lowering the cost of doing business by reforming Illinois’ outdated workers compensation system and freezing property taxes. He emphasized that Illinois should be more competitive and be able to create thousands of good-paying jobs. Furthermore, the Governor said he is a “Fan” of the Hub City and stated that: “Everywhere I go I tell people about Rochelle. Your community is a place with great infrastructure and what you have to offer as far as transportation, location and workforce.” Community Leaders were able to ask questions of the Governor, which allowed him to hear the concerns from a local perspective. The Governor had staff members on hand to follow up on several concerns that were shared during the hour-long meeting.

Rochelle's City Council recently approved an option agreement as well as a listing agreement for property within the 160 acre Rochelle Business and Technology Park. The park, which opened in 2007, is home to three facilities now and is the ideal location for a data center, office space, or high-tech business. Zoned B-2 Commercial Highway with a technology overlay district, approximately 100 acres remain available for future development.

A new three year option agreement to purchase 89.33 acres owned by Reed Harris and Corliss Baer has been drafted. City of Rochelle staff will market the property in partnership with Jim Planey of Lee and Associates.

For more information, contact Rochelle City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh at or 815-561-2000.The Rochelle Business and Technology Park is a 160 acre development which opened in 2007 and is zoned B-2 Commercial Highway, with a Technology Overlay District. Approximately 100 acres remain available for future development; therefore, the opportunity to recruit additional park tenants is feasible. Having an “Option to Purchase Agreement” for the remainder of the land would facilitate a sale and new development.

A new three year option agreement to purchase 89.33 acres owned by Reed Harris and Corliss Baer has been drafted. The previous three year agreement expired March 26, 2016. There is no cost to own the option; however the City agrees to market the property in partnership with Jim Planey of Lee and Associates. The per acre purchase price is $ 28,940, with a 5% increase per acre in years two and three.

Recommendation: Authorize an Ordinance Approving an Option to Purchase Real Estate Located at Illinois Route 38 and Dement Road with Reed Harris and Corliss Baer for approximately 89.33 acres in the Rochelle Business and Technology Park.