ROCHELLE - The opening of a new rail-car
production facility in Rochelle on Thursday brought in dignitaries from across
the state and around the world. Train-car
manufacturer Nippon Sharyo of Japan will create opportunities for nearly 300
new workers around the Stateline.
Drums greeted the executives of
Nippon Sharyo this morning, in traditional Japanese style. The gracious welcome was greatly appreciated
on top of everything else the city of
"We would like to thank the city of
"This factory would not be here
without your sponsorship."
The company's first contract is with
Metra, Chicagoland's commuter rail system.
The business agreement will make for 160 new rail-cars to be produced
for one of the country's largest regional transit systems.
Governor Pat Quinn (D-Illinois),
touts his "Illinois Jobs Now" program as part of the reason for the
manufacturer coming to
"About three years ago we passed a
law that I signed into law, a job recovery law," said Quinn.
"A job recovery law that understood
that investing in rail, passenger rail, commuter rail is a very good investment
for jobs in
The new facility is a win-win for the
state and Nippon Sharyo. The Rochelle
plant responds to the needs of an expanding passenger rail service in
"This is a tremendous testament that
we're here today in a facility that 500 construction workers help to build,"
said Quinn.
Besides the contract already set-up
with Metra, Nippon Sharyo also has production agreements with transit systems
in
