View Now: Kankakee River Watershed Conference

The Kankakee River Watershed Conference held in March, 2023 discussed how local communities and statewide efforts are working to ensure the area’s greatest asset is protected. Key topics including water quantity and quality, biodiversity, nutrients and agriculture, river recreation, watershed initiatives, and sand and sediment were discussed.

The need for additional and affordable housing in Kankakee County is critical to the population, growth, and economic development of the community. Results from a residential housing analysis administered by Tracy Cross & Associates, Inc. found the opportunity for new residential development over the next several years in Kankakee County is viewed as STRONG.

From cost of living, to a push for renewable energy, to why we don’t yet have a Portillo’s in Kankakee County, Angela Morrey dives deep into what economic development is and what it means for our area.

Live, work, play and build in Kankakee County. That was the overwhelming theme at the Mayor’s Breakfast hosted by the Kankakee Iroquois Ford Association of Realtors.

KCC ranks seventh among all small community colleges in the upcoming 2022 Guide to Military Friendly Schools, published in conjunction with “G.I. Jobs” magazine. In addition, KCC is one of only 14 Illinois community colleges to achieve the Military Friendly® designation for the 2022-23 academic year.

Fresh Del Monte is one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, as well as leading producer and distributor of fresh produce across the globe. With a production facility located in Kankakee, the site employs roughly 250 people, and exports more than 20 million pounds of produce a year across the Midwest. 

Midland, MI – Dow has earned a place on the Great Place to Work® and Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list, for the first time, ranking #99. Dow is only one of three manufacturing companies to make the list and is the only materials science company.

Now more than ever, community partners are an integral part of Kankakee County’s resiliance and growth. n 2020, United Way of Kankakee & Iroquois Counties – with our Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley – generated and distributed more than $600,000 for emergency Covid-19 relief. While this work continues, our United Way is mission driven to serve our residential and business community each and every day by investing in the strategic areas of: youth success; economic mobility; and access to health services.

Kankakee native and Spikeball CEO Chris Ruder has established a 51,000 SF Midwest distribution hub in the Kankakee Riverfront Opportunity Zone. The facility will fulfill orders from retailers including Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target, Costco and Walmart.

A vacant 576,000-square-foot warehouse in Manteno has found a new occupant and the company is seeking 600 workers. It appears the location, 1125 Sycamore Road, will house the packaging and distribution of supplies connected to COVID-19 pandemic. McKesson Corp., an Irving, Texas-based company, has signed a lease with property owner Cardinal Real Estate of Sherman Oaks, Calif. McKesson is advertising for 600 warehouse workers — specifically material handlers and machine operators — with pay at $17.45 per hour, including benefits. To support the U.S. government’s Operation Warp Speed (OWS), the company, through its centralized distribution network, will be involved with the movement of COVID-19 vaccines and ancillary supplies needed to administer vaccines.