The Voice

From inmate to industry Rebuilding lives and supporting local workforce needs By Rick Ciganek, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office Walk into the Winnebago County Jail today, and you might be surprised to hear the sound of precision machining tools, not just cell doors. In partnership with Rock Valley College, the Sheriff’s Office offers a computer numerical…

Placemaking Strengthening Rockford’s identity and vitality By John Groh, GoRockford You may not be familiar with the term “placemaking,” but you’ve certainly felt its effects. Whenever you return from a trip to see Symbol on the riverfront and think, “It’s good to be home,” or when you pass the Rockford Peaches mural in Midtown and…

The employer brand Your secret (and most powerful) recruiting tool By Mercedes Brain, Geronimo Hospitality Group & Hendricks Commercial Properties When searching for their next career opportunity, today’s job seekers are looking for purpose, belonging, and alignment. They want to work at a place where they can show up as themselves, do meaningful work, and…

A culture of agriculture The 815’s summer romance with farms, fairs, and farmers markets By Christine Hand, managing editor There’s no better time to celebrate the 815 than summer. Not only does the calendar give us that clever hook for 815 Day, but the warmer weather also draws our attention to the nucleus (and genesis)…

Rockford then and now A national blueprint for Midwest revival By Susan Brake, Development Counsellors International I’ve been a fan of the Rockford Region since I first visited a decade ago as part of a team working on a marketing blueprint for the city. I remember leaving our hotel (which was not downtown), driving on…

Embracing the 815 What kind of vibe are we giving newcomers? By Whitney Martin, Made for Rockford 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…

Expanding beyond the 815 Tips for growing your business domestically and globally By Nate Jordan, Rock Valley College Small Business Development Center As we celebrate the vibrant spirit of the 815 in this August issue, it’s a perfect time to honor the ingenuity of our local entrepreneurs in Rockford and surrounding communities. The 815 area…

GRCC Board approves political priorities Government Affairs Committee identifies four focus areas By Jean Crosby, GRCC Government Affairs Committee The Government Affairs Committee (GAC) of the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) advances policies that represent the collective interests of the business community and support the overall health, vitality, and competitiveness of the regional economy.…

Rockford “showed up” for inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Volunteers and residents welcomed thousands of athletes and visitors By John Groh, GoRockford “Somehow, even for this inaugural race, [Rockford] understood the assignment and showed up,” one IRONMAN athlete said on Facebook. “You could really feel the effort put forth. Well done, Rockford!” said another. Athletes, visitors, and…

A stronger business climate in Winnebago County Removing obstacles and meeting needs through unified leadership By Joseph V. Chiarelli, Winnebago County Board Chair I want to share an important development in Winnebago County’s leadership structure that directly impacts our business community’s future success. On May 22, 2025, the Winnebago County Board voted to restore the…