Politics & Government
Plainfield Mayor Highlights Business Boom at State of the Village
Mayor Mike Collins takes a look back at 2013.
At the Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce's Jan. 15 "State of the Village" luncheon, Mayor Michael Collins took a look back at some of the highlights of the last year.
During the address, Collins took stock of some of the bigger business developments in Plainfield, noting numerous businesses that have opened, and some that are coming soon.
"We're moving right along," Collins said, adding that residential growth is also increasing in the village. "We are recovering, [but] it's a slow recovery."
Collins cited new Plainfield businesses including (click the links for more details):
- Capri Sogno
- Simply Saucy/What's New
- Webb Chevrolet
- Chipotle
- Which Wich
- Goodwill
- Starbucks (Main Street and Route 59)
- Five Star Tennis
- Hardee's
- Marco's Pizza
- Speedway
- Wendy's at Route 59 and 135th will get a new, modern look
- McDonald's at Renwick and Route 59 will also get an update
Collins also pointed to several business expansions, including the 100,000-square-foot addition at the Diageo beverage facility, and plans to open a new Vintage Tech Recyclers/Kuusakoski electronics recycling plant at the old Fox Valley Press facility at Route 30 and 135th Street.
Related:
Collins said the recycling plant, which will have more than 100 employees, could open in the next month. He marveled at the high-tech facility.
"They can take the lead out of a TV screen and recycle it," he said. "It's amazing."
Village success stories
Collins also looked back on 2013's successes within the village, including the completion of the Lockport Street pedestrian bridge.Although its completion was delayed by several months, the bridge opened in July.
"It seems every village department is receiving awards lately, Collins added, noting that Director of Public Works Allen Persons was recently named one of the top 10 public works leaders in the country by the Illinois Public Works Association.
The village's "Vision for Division" planning project also won 2013 Charter Award for the Best Corridor Plan from the Illinois Chapter of The Congress for the New Urbanism, as well as the Community Outreach Award from the Illinois Chapter of the American Planning Association.
The Plainfield Police Department has racked up several wards this year, winning first place in the Illinois Association of Police Chiefs Traffic Safety Challenge Championship Class, as well as the Railroad Crossing Safety Award.
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