Dixon, Illinois

while not massive, it’s definitely a core part of our community.” The city is also working to bring more industry into Dixon, looking into specialized manufacturing, machining, and technology as areas of growth. Another goal is to draw more remote workers. As Arellano notes, “Dixon is very close to Chicago, which is a tech hub, but we are a great place to live. Within an hour, you can be in the suburbs, but you can live in this beautiful rural community. Attracting remote workers from the tech community is a long-term goal of ours.” Partnering with Sauk Valley Community College provides an opportunity for the city to maintain a skilled workforce, especially in the medical fields. Arellano reports, “They have a great nursing program, and they support the hospital with some of their radiation tech and other skilled healthcare positions, because Dixon has a very large healthcare worker population.” The college also offers a highly successful welding program, a valuable skill in the local workforce. “That has it be successful. You have 800-plus employees going to work every day right there along the river in our downtown.” Dixon Correctional Center is another large employer in the city, with over 600 employees. The State of Illinois also provides employment in the region through the Illinois Department of Transportation Region 2 Headquarters, and the Jack Mabley Developmental Center – a state institution for the developmentally disabled. Both are mid-sized employers who provide a significant number of jobs for the community. Dixon is also home to several manufacturing and distributions centers, including Rayovac, a battery company; UPM Raflatac, a sustainable labeling solutions company; and Sewer Equipment Company of America that has its national headquarters in the city. “Although we only have about 15,000 people, our daytime population is much higher,” says Mayor Arellano. “We have a little manufacturing hub in town,