WHEELING VILLAGE PRESIDENT’S WELCOME
O
On behalf of the village board, I would like to express our heartfelt appreciation for your support of the Wheeling/Prospect Heights Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Chamber exists to promote opportunities for its members, to encourage local business growth, to lobby governing bodies on behalf of business interests and to provide a forum for building meaningful relationships. Your support of this organization enhances the vitality of our local economy and benefits our residents with a vibrant job market, exciting shopping and dining options and overall economic growth. In the heart of the northwest suburbs of Chicago, with a diverse population of 40,000 people, Wheeling is perhaps best known for our popular Restaurant Row and flourishing business community. Home to over 850 licensed businesses from more than 50 business sectors, and with approximately 13.5 million square feet of industrial space under roof, Wheeling is the center of commerce and industry in the northwest suburbs. Our economic climate is enhanced by every business that opens its doors in town, and we are grateful to those who have chosen to locate here. Wheeling’s diverse economic base delivered stable growth over the past year. Sales were up across most categories, while demand continued to be strong in the industrial sector, sustaining our low vacancy rates. In addition, several major projects have spurred interest in development opportunities in town, particularly along the Dundee and Milwaukee corridors. The village issued permits for nearly $70 million worth of construction projects in 2015, a $29 million increase over 2014. The village works hard to support continued growth and development. Toward this end, Wheeling has five tax increment financing (TIF) districts. The Town Center-II TIF was established to facilitate the ongoing transformation of the Dundee Road corridor and surrounding area; while another recently established district, the Southeast-II TIF, was created to encourage industrial, retail, restaurant and hotel development around the airport. The five TIF districts cover the village’s primary commercial areas along Milwaukee Avenue, Lake-Cook Road and Dundee Road.
6
|
WPH – Chamber of Commerce & Industry
IL-WHP-CW-16 Design.indd 6
We have an exciting and productive year ahead, with several major projects that will have a tremendous impact on the future of this community. We are working toward the start of construction at Wheeling Town Center, completion of the Northgate Crossing apartment complex, the second annual July 3 Rock ’n’ Run the Runway community celebration at Chicago Executive Airport and another successful Taste of the Town event. Additionally, the village continues to work with state and local partners to achieve service objectives. The village maintains a significant leadership role with several regional agencies, such as the Northwest Municipal Conference, the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission and Chicago’s North Shore Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. We are also committed to continuing our collaboration with the Chamber to support business promotion and attraction efforts. The village’s Department of Economic Development recruits new businesses and industries, facilitates commercial development and helps existing businesses manage their future growth and space needs. The village continues to promote growth and development in Wheeling in accordance with our comprehensive plan. While Wheeling is an established suburb of Chicago, a considerable amount of property remains available for infill commercial and industrial development, including two village-owned lots on Milwaukee Avenue. For information on location or development opportunities, please contact the Department of Economic Development at (847) 459-2605 or ed@wheelingil.gov. We wish your business many successful years in Wheeling. Working together, our community’s overall prosperity will grow stronger than ever. Sincerely,
Dean S. Argiris Village President
2016 Community Guide & Business Directory
8/9/2016 1:32:56 PM
