A groundbreaking ceremony took place Wednesday just southeast of the Rockford airport where one China's biggest companies will build a solar panel assembly plant.

Rockford's push to build international business partnerships took off Tuesday near the Rockford airport.

"This is a great day to celebrate. A lot of work that's been going on for multiple years," Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey said.

"We have a lot of sunshine, that's what solar power needs, so we're pretty happy," said Pin Ni, President of Wanxiang America Corp.

A happy celebration centered around the groundbreaking of a solar panel assembly plant from the Chinese-based company Wanxiang.

They've been working with area leaders for about two years on a venture that will start out churning out 50,000 solar panels a year.

In the background of Tuesday's ceremony, construction crews were already at work on the site. It will open sometime in early next year, starting with 60 new jobs.

Lee says the company's looking for applicants with manufacturing and
engineering backgrounds. And they will recruit locally.

"We're not planning to move anybody here so hopefully it's all local," Lee said.

"Any jobs right now are important," Morrissey said.

A needed economic boost right now, reflecting some positive growth for the Stateline.

"This really is what we feel is the start. We see other opportunities with Wanxiang and other Chinese companies. That's why I'm going back there this week," Morrissey said.

Mayor Morrissey leaves this Saturday for a 10-day trip to China.

He''ll spend time in Wanxiang's headquarter city. Plus makes stops in Beijing, Shanghai and Rockford's sister city Changzhou. The two cities plan to celebrate their 10-year relationship.

If you are interested in a job at Wanxiang's new Rockford facility, the human resources department says the best thing to do is email them your resume.

The email address is gwetzel@wanxiang.com.