Embracing the 815

What if someone’s first impression of Rockford isn’t shaped by the city itself, but by our hesitation to embrace it?

One thing I’ve heard often through the Made for Rockford program is how surprised new residents are when they tell someone they’ve just moved here, only to be met with a single word: “Why?”

Even when it comes from a place of curiosity, the tone in that one-word response can shift the energy fast. These folks are fresh off the move, full of hope, and eager to explore. But when they’re asked “why” over and over, it can leave them second-guessing a decision they were genuinely excited about before they’ve had a real chance to see what makes Rockford special.

Have we fallen into the habit of putting ourselves down before someone else can? It’s easy to forget how our words come across, especially to someone hearing them for the first time, even when there’s no harm intended. When that tone becomes part of how we talk about Rockford, especially around people who are still trying to find their place here, it can make it harder for them to feel like they belong.

Ironically, no one tends to be more optimistic about the area than the people who just got here. They’re energized. They see things with fresh eyes. They notice the charm, the culture, the progress, and they celebrate it.

We have so much to be proud of in the 815:

• Affordable housing in just about every kind of neighborhood.
• Live music happening seven nights a week.
• A beautiful, increasingly active riverfront.
• A growing downtown with new places to live, work, and gather.
• One of the best park districts in the entire country.

Sometimes it really does take someone new to help us see what we have.

Realtor.com recently named Rockford the hottest housing market in the country. That means people aren’t just moving here, they’re seeking us out. Our population is growing. Our momentum is real. What used to be a place people passed through is becoming a place people stay.

When they get here, the way we welcome them matters.

I’ve started thinking of this habit like the influence of a toxic coworker. Not the kind who yells but the kind who slowly chips away at team morale. They never blow up, they just make quiet comments that cast doubt. Over time, it wears people down. In a city, it works the same way. If the general tone is negative, even unintentionally, it can start to sour what should have been a bright beginning.

So here’s something simple we can all do. The next time someone says they just moved here, let’s pause and rephrase the “why” with:

• “Welcome! You’re going to love it here.”
• “What brought you to town?”
• “Have you checked out ___ yet?”

It’s not about pretending things are perfect. It’s about creating space for people to fall in love with this place the way we did.

They didn’t just move here… They chose us. Let’s be the reason they’re glad they did.

The views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce.