Two Businesses to Move into Remodeled Downtown Office Building

Rockford, IL - "We want to announce and welcome our first two tenants to 303 N. Main," says Luan Dean, Associate for JJ Partners. With an audience of city and business leaders, JJ Partners and the Buckley Companies announced that the corporate leadership team for Mid-Northern Group will be moving into the old eight story building. Nine employees will soon be filling the sixth floor offices with prime views of the city. The company signed a five-year lease. Mid-Northern Group owns and operates older adult independent living properties and family housing properties. "We are a very aggressive company," says Darrel Burnett, Corporate Director for Mid-Northern Group. "We own properties throughout the state of Illinois, the state of Missouri. We`re expanding rapidly to the east coast and to other Midwestern states." Mid-Northern isnt new to the area. It has been in Rockford for 30 years. The offices are moving to downtown Rockford from the east side. Theyre now moving out of an office building on N. Alpine Rd. Mid-Northern wont be alone in the building. WATT, an international publishing company which has been based in Mount Morris for 90 years, is moving its corporate headquarters to the fifth floor. Thats approximately 45 employees who make an average salary of $65,000 a year. WATT signed a ten-year lease. They are a business-to-business publishing company in the agrifood, pet food, and woodworking industries. They distribute information to companies around the world. Theyre looking for web-savvy employees in the Rockford area. "Our areas of growth are all e-media," says Greg Watt, President and Chief Executive Officer of WATT. "It`s all online. And that`s why we need a different type of employee. Well be able to attract the best and brightest talent from the Chicago Metro area as well as up and down I-90." The companies know theyll bring more people downtown. "We will have Wall Street bankers, associates from Boston and California coming in," says Burnett. "I think theyll be seeing a view of Rockford literally and figuratively that they havent possibly seen before." City leaders agree the private investment is important for the future to bring new businesses and revenue to downtown Rockford. "Its important for our downtown, but also I think important for our entire city," says Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey. "It really shows a downtown that is really on the move with people, with activity, and with a vibrant spirit," says Ald. Doug Mark (R-3rd Ward). Mid-Northern plans to move in next week. WATT is scheduled to move in this summer. This marks a new beginning for the building. JJ Partners owns the old eight-story building on the corner of N. Main and Jefferson Streets. It was built in 1929, but has been abandoned for the last few years. JJ Partners and The Buckley Companies are investing $9.6 million into renovations, which are ongoing. The owners expect to see it reach 70 percent occupancy within a year. The plan is to only put retail and commercial businesses on the first floor, and strictly offices on the upper floors. The upgrades are revitalizing the shell of the building, which includes a complete overhaul of the HVAC, heating, plumbing, and electrical systems; the elevators; and the roof and the walls. In addition, the building will have up-lighting, designed to light the entire exterior of the building and brighten the surrounding area.