Greater Freeport Partnership reports Honeywell stable, cites workforce gap and new business interest

A representative of the Greater Freeport Partnership told the Stephenson County Planning and Development Committee that Honeywell’s Freeport aerospace operations remain an important global manufacturing site but are constrained by workforce turnover.

The partnership representative said Honeywell described the Freeport campus as the third most important site globally for its aerospace manufacturing and that “their barrier to growth right now is workforce.” The representative added, “I came away from that meeting reassured, and happy that Honeywell is is not going anywhere here.”

Why it matters: Honeywell’s continued presence and any expansion would support local manufacturing employment and the county’s supply chain. Committee members heard that workforce development and site readiness are priorities if Freeport is to capture additional production or new tenants.

Details from the presentation: the partnership said managers from Honeywell’s aerospace division visited Freeport and discussed the company’s local footprint, including active use of plant 1 and plant 4 and an underused “plant 2” building that might be a candidate for adaptive reuse. The representative described broader recruitment and retention challenges since COVID‑era retirements removed “institutional knowledge,” and said Honeywell was interested in building intentional relationships with area high schools to create a hiring pipeline.

The partnership plans a follow‑up meeting with Honeywell and Freeport High School leadership to explore high‑school–to‑work pipelines; the representative specifically mentioned Freeport High School’s Helm/Create Academy competition, where top students have received summer internships.

The group also described a recent tour for a Canadian bus manufacturer (combustion and electric buses) organized with Intersect Illinois. According to the partnership, the company showed interest in existing high‑ceiling facilities and greenfield sites in the county; the representative said the visiting vice presidents planned discussions with their board following the tour.

Grant and capital projects noted: the representative said the partnership has a notice of award for a state Regional Site Readiness planning grant of about $144,000 and expects a project kickoff after the state assigns a grant manager. The representative also notified the committee about a planned railroad crossing upgrade outside Lena (listed in the presentation as a $1,100,000 signaling upgrade at Five Corners/Crossroads Road).

Local business updates: the partnership noted several new or reopening businesses in and around Freeport, including Grasshoppers Pub and Grill (formerly Pub 219), a new MMA/martial arts business downtown, the reopening of Full Circle Cafe at the Freeport Public Library, and Coffee and Crumbs bakery on North 26th (near Legends). The partnership also said Rafters has been redeveloped as Lena Brewing Company and includes an extensive canning line.

Committee follow‑up and questions: board members asked about a previously discussed truck‑stop project; the representative said Pearl City Elevator had suspended completion of an Enterprise Zone application and had tabled the project for the year, and that county staff planned to meet the company CFO to learn more. The partnership indicated it will pursue site readiness work along Ant Road and parts of the South 26th Corridor as priorities for future industrial development.

Ending: the representative closed by encouraging committee members to contact partnership staff with questions and noted several upcoming county events and promotional opportunities mentioned during the presentation.