Business View Civil and Municipal | March 2021

130 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL MARCH 2021 , ILLINOIS T he City of Freeport, Illinois is a regional center in a rural part of the state. With a population of 25,000, it is the largest city between Rockford, Illinois and Dubuque, Iowa – a definite draw for people from the surrounding area who are looking for employment and entertainment. “We’re a mecca for commerce and manufacturing in the northwest area of Illinois,” boasts Freeport City Manager, Randy Bukas. “We’re approximately 15 miles south of the Wisconsin border and about 45 miles east of Iowa, so we’re tucked right in the northwest corner of the state.” Freeport’s economic strength comes from its diversity of businesses, including local entrepreneurs who have opened about half a dozen new businesses in the city over the last year. Major manufacturers include Honeywell International, which announced plans to bring about 125 more workers to ‘MECCA’ FOR COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURING