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.

Support the River Cities' Reader

Get 12 Reader issues mailed monthly for $48/year.

Old School Subscription for Your Support

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Old School Subscribe now.



Help Keep the Reader Alive and Free Since '93!

 

"We're the River Cities' Reader, and we've kept the Quad Cities' only independently owned newspaper alive and free since 1993.

So please help the Reader keep going with your one-time, monthly, or annual support. With your financial support the Reader can continue providing uncensored, non-scripted, and independent journalism alongside the Quad Cities' area's most comprehensive cultural coverage." - Todd McGreevy, Publisher