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Economic Alliance outlines $1.75B Heritage Prairie project, workforce work and local investments
Summary
At the Jan. 13 Kankakee County Board meeting, the Economic Alliance presented 2025 highlights including the Heritage Prairie Solar and Wind project (described as $1,750,000,000), workforce initiatives, a $4,000,000 grant for the Bradley Roper Building roof, and continuing site-attraction efforts.
The Economic Alliance presented its annual update to the Kankakee County Board on Jan. 13, detailing recent capital investments, workforce programming and site-attraction work aimed at growing the county's economy.
Angela Morey, representing the Economic Alliance, told the board the county is the 18th-largest in Illinois with a population the Alliance put at about 106,000, and highlighted 2025 investment totals the Alliance summarized as roughly $1,750,000,000 for the Heritage Prairie Solar and Wind development on the county's west side. "This solar and wind farm eventually will provide power to 265,000 homes a year," Morey said, and the Alliance noted construction has begun on an Essex substation to support the project.
Morey reviewed local commercial and educational investments, including a reported $70,000,000 renovation at Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School, new hotels and other private projects, and she said the Alliance secured a $4,000,000 grant (with assistance from Congresswoman Robin Kelly) for roof repairs at the Bradley Roper Building, now hosting multiple businesses.
The presentation addressed recent job losses and mitigation efforts: Morey cited closures or downsizings (Gilster-Mary-Lee, Johnsonville, Baker & Taylor) and described workforce-response work including a job fair that attracted about 250 attendees. She also discussed active site-submissions (the Alliance said it submitted multiple properties for project requests) and coordination with utilities to evaluate site capacity for power, water and gas needs.
Board members asked about Goshen and Pembroke-area sites, and Morey agreed to arrange a tour and follow up with details; she said Goshen currently reported about 350 employees and plans to expand toward a long-term goal of roughly 2,600 employees. The Alliance offered copies of its market materials and said its board meetings rotate around the county to showcase projects.
The presentation was informational; no formal board action on Alliance recommendations was taken at this meeting.
