Mandus Group / Spirit Partners plans to expand in Rock Island. On August 23, Rock Island City Council will vote on an agreement between the City and Mandus Group / Spirit Partners that will help foster a significant expansion by the company at their 2408 4th Avenue location in the city. The project involves two phases that in total could result in close to $4 million in new investment and 60 jobs.

The first phase involves construction of a 7,500 square foot addition to support assembly of mobile military vehicle maintenance units by Mandus Group and their associated company Spirit Partners. In support of the project the City will sell property it owns to the east and west to the company’s current facility for $1. The property to the east is a vacant lot. The property to the west is the site of a former fuel station/auto repair business. The site is currently undergoing an environmental clean-up through support from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Development plans call for the lot to be redeveloped as a landscaped parking lot to help support the anticipated increase in employment at Mandus Group / Spirit Partners. Additional City support during the first phase will be through City programs such as: Commercial / Industrial Revolving Loan Fund, Bi-State Revolving Loan Fund, Enterprise Zone, Sustainable Improvements Loan Fund, and the Façade Improvement Program.

Sam Kupresin, President of Mandus Group / Spirit Partners stated, “We are very excited to be expanding our business in Rock Island, due in part to the location of the Rock Island Arsenal, which is important to our business of dealing with military equipment. Working with the City of Rock Island was pleasant and enjoyable because the staff was supportive in helping us. The City’s pro-business attitude, especially in helping a small business grow, is appreciated.”

Mayor Dennis Pauley said “This project offers many positives for our community. It supports the growth of a small business in Rock Island, complements other investment in this neighborhood, adds much needed jobs to the economy and leverages significant private investment. Since locating in Rock Island in 2007, the City has worked to support the growth of Mandus Group / Spirit Partners and we are pleased that the company will continue its investment Rock Island.”

A second phase of the project involves acquisition of the property at 2435 5th Avenue. This is an approximate 26,000 square foot building which currently houses the Rock Island Register Company. Mandus Group / Spirit Partners plan to renovate the building for their use as well as for use by tenant businesses. City support for phase two includes a $50,000 loan and $83,600 in façade improvement funds to support installation on new widows and tuck pointing of the exterior brick surface. In addition, the City will reconstruct 25th Street between 4th and 5th Avenue and cover one-half the cost to replace sidewalks on 4th Avenue and 24th Street. It is expected this work will take place over the next five years as the company’s primary focus will be on constructing the new building.

Helmets to Hardhats Trains Veterans for Good-Paying Jobs

August 20, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today visited Rend Lake College (RLC) to highlight the importance of job training and opportunities for Veterans through the Helmets to Hardhats program. Twelve Illinois Veterans began training through the program at RLC last month to gain the skills necessary to pursue careers in the construction industry.

“It is our responsibility to make sure that the servicemen and servicewomen who have answered the call to duty have the opportunity to come home to a good job,” Governor Quinn said. “Thanks to the Helmets to Hardhats program and training at schools like Rend Lake College, our Veterans are getting the training they need to transition into good-paying jobs.”

Helmets to Hardhats is a national initiative which connects National Guard, Reserve and transitioning active-duty military service members with high-quality construction industry training and employment opportunities. The program, administered by the Center for Military Recruitment, Assessment and Veterans Employment, seeks to ease the challenging transition to civilian life for servicemembers and their families.

“Rend Lake College is very proud to be a Helmets to Hardhats site, and we look forward to continuing our work with the Plumbers and Pipefitters local and Governor Quinn’s office,” said RLC President Charley Holstein. “It’s a great program. It allows these soldiers who have gone and served their country to come back and have an opportunity to get some accelerated training to get out in the workforce.”

The Pipefitters Local 551 of West Frankfort and the Pipefitters Local 651 of Centralia are involved in RLC’s program and are training 12 Veterans. The 16 weeks of training conclude with each Veteran’s assignment to an area union as a second-year apprentice.

“We were able to put this program together after reaching out to Governor Quinn,” said Thomas Caliper, business manager for UA Local 551 in West Frankfort. “We knew we could count on Governor Quinn’s support because Veterans are so important to this governor.”

Launched in 2003, Helmets to Hardhats is co-sponsored by all 15 building and construction trades organizations and their employer associations, together representing around 82,000 contractors. There are currently 157,755 Helmets to Hardhats candidates registered, all of whom have access to program’s Web site. The site currently lists over 80,000 careers for member access.

The Illinois Helmets to Hardhats program is generally recognized as the model for the national Helmets to Hardhats campaign. Much of this success can be attributed to a strong effort from teamster local unions, state agencies and local Veteran support groups.

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Project will Bring 70 New Jobs, Spur Future Economic Growth and Boost Illinois’ Manufacturing Industry

MASCOUTAH – August 19, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Illinois is providing a $2.3 million business investment package to assist Boeing with its plans to locate a new facility at MidAmerica Airport in St. Clair County. The state’s investment will leverage a $7 million Boeing investment and is expected to bring 70 new jobs to the Metro East region, with the potential to create more jobs over the next few years. It will also boost manufacturing and spur economic growth throughout the state.

“Our top priority is to get people back to work and continue our economic recovery,” said Governor Quinn. “This investment is bringing dozens of good-paying, sustainable jobs to the region, boosting Illinois’ manufacturing industry and helping MidAmerica Airport reach its full potential. I want to thank Boeing for continuing to invest in the people of Illinois.”

The state’s investment package will support Phase I of a potential three-phase project by Boeing to expand its Defense, Space and Security Group operations and create a Strategic Manufacturing Center at MidAmerica Airport. The center will serve as the lead facility for manufacturing complex sub assemblies for Boeing products and will be the company’s first manufacturing facility in the state of Illinois.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will administer the state’s business investment package consisting of Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) corporate income tax credits, which are based on job creation; job training funds; and local benefits from being located within an enterprise zone.

"Our partnership with Boeing reinforces that Illinois has a quality workforce and the right resources to help any company succeed,” said DCEO Director Warren Ribley. “This is a great example of how – through our collaborative efforts – we are creating jobs, expanding our economy and helping Illinois businesses grow."

Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial airplanes and defense, space and security systems. The company is headquartered in Chicago with 158,000 employees in more than 70 countries.

In 2010, Illinois' manufacturing sector has added more than 12,000 jobs, which is a higher growth rate than the national average.

Governor Quinn was joined at the event today by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL), Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL), State Rep. Tom Holbrook (D-Belleville), State Rep. Dan Beiser (D-Alton), State Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Collinsville), President and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space and Security Dennis Muilenburg, and other civic and business leaders.

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