CREATING A MORE CONNECTED 815
the August 2025 | Volume 38 | No. 8
KATRYNA KIRBY
SAMANTHA HOCHMANN
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of the greater rockford business community
A culture of agriculture
2025 TOP STATES FOR BUSINESS Illinois advances from 15 to 13 in CNBC ranking.
The 815’s summer romance
CNBC released its ranking of the 2025 Top States for Business. The outlet scored all 50 states on 135 metrics in 10 broad categories of competitiveness (listed below).
with farms, fairs, and farmers markets
The economy was weighted at No. 1 and included metrics to gauge the states’ risk from a trade war and a shrinking federal budget.
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 warner weather also draws our attention to the nucleus (and genesis) of our economy—agriculture. To experience and appreciate agriculture in Northern Illinois, we need look no further than our county fairs and farmers markets.
Crops and livestock Many of us who live in the more urban areas of the 815 don’t often consider the
Illinois ranked No. 13 overall, up from No. 15 last year.
How Illinois ranked in each category: scope of farming in our region until we’re creeping along behind some monstrous piece of farm equipment on a rural road. Then we realize, “Oh, yeah. We’re literally surrounded by farms.” To put it in perspective, consider these stats: • With over 75% of the state’s land managed by farmers, Illinois consistently ranks among the top agricultural producers in the U.S. • According to the 2024 Census of Agriculture, 84.2% of Illinois’ more than 70,000 farms are family-owned, making them the overwhelming majority in the state. • In 2023, Illinois ranked as the third largest agricultural exporting state in the U.S., shipping approximately $13.7 billion in ag products internationally.
• Taken broadly, agriculture and agribusiness—including related food companies, seed suppliers, chemical manufacturers, equipment dealers, and processing firms—account for nearly one in four Illinois jobs. “Farming isn’t just a tradition in Illinois. It’s an economic powerhouse. Thanks to our rich soil, flat land, and favorable climate, Illinois ranks among the top states in the nation for corn and soybean production. These crops don’t just feed people. They’re also used for livestock feed, fuel, and countless everyday products,” said Illinois State Senator Andrew Chesney. “Beyond the fields, agriculture supports over a million jobs in Illinois, encompassing a range of industries, including food processing, equipment manufacturing, transportation, and logistics. It’s the backbone of our state’s (continued on page 4)
Rockford then and now A national blueprint for Midwest revival By Susan Brake, Development Counsellors International
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WHY ROCKFORD’S HISTORY MATTERS
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 Main Street, and wondering what we would find when we reached the city. It felt like a suburb at first, until we rolled into downtown. On my right was this immense industrial building with shattered windows exposing massive steel beams and concrete floors. As I’m sure you know, that was the old Amerock factory, once a proud producer of cabinet hardware and a symbol of Rockford’s manufacturing might. Back then, it was just another abandoned building, echoing a familiar Rust Belt story. At that time, Rockford was known for its historical industrial roots of
aerospace manufacturing, furniture, and even the iconic sock monkey. But it had also become known for its struggles: high unemployment, negative headlines, a city trying to shake off the weight of its past. The river, which today feels like Rockford’s front porch, was an underused asset. Even then, though, what struck me most wasn’t the boarded-up windows. It was the people. Rockfordians were brimming with passion and optimism, determined to write a new chapter for their city. That spirit was exactly what the regional leaders sought to harness when they laid out a bold goal: to change perceptions, build on local pride, and make Rockford a top 25 community by 2025. (continued on page 6)
Economy – 44 Infrastructure – 8 Workforce – 19 Cost of doing business – 19 Business friendliness – 38 Quality of life – 23 Technology and innovation – 6 Education – 3 Access to capital – 5 Cost of living – 34
States that topped Illinois in the overall ranking 1.
North Carolina
2.
Texas
3.
Florida
4.
Virginia
5.
Ohio
6.
Michigan
7.
Georgia
8.
Tennessee
9.
Indiana
10. Minnesota 11. Colorado 12. Arizona
CNBC developed its criteria and metrics in consultation with business and policy experts as well as the states. The study uses data from a variety of sources to measure each states’ performance and is not an opinion survey. The details of how each state ranked across all categories are available at www.cnbc.com.