Something else is being erased from many commercial areas and industrial sites... Tenants. And while local leaders expect even more space to come on the market as the economy weakens... They say the Rockford Area has priced itself just right to weather the downturn.

"Rockford is in an enviable position compared to a lot of other manufacturing communities.We have a lot of companies which may ride out recessionary times very well."

Chances are when driving around the stateline.. you see alot of these.

"The current vacancy rate in our area is 7.9 percent."

The downturn in the economy has put more square feet on the block than in recent years... Out of the over 42 million square feet in the Rockford area commercial and industrial market ... about eight percent is vacant and available.

"We don't like to see any buildings on the market."

While this number is significantly lower than
other Illinois industrial areas like Chicago... It brings both good and bad news along with it .

" It puts us at a competitive disadvantage.. if a company is looking to expand and they are already in the Chicago market.. there will be spaces available in Chicago and so the opportunities to bring companies out to Rockford to expand means we are going to have to try alittle bit harder."

But with the price per square foot ringing in at about 25 dollars, this makes our area one of the cheapest places to set up shop in the Northern Illinois.. which could translate into big money and many jobs in the future.

" talking about things like our logistics costs being lower that our congestion is less.. so we just sell Rockford on available property."

Once the economy rebounds...Marketing will be strengthened by the available commercial and industrial space. Only the future will indicate whether this 8 percent vacancy rate will not increase. A major jump might hurt in acquiring new tenants and owner.