The proposed multi-million- dollar sports complex in Macomb is in a “holding pattern” until city officials can meet with state leaders Tuesday to get questions answered about the State of Illinois’ Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bond program, which is the driving force for the city to either move forward or halt the process altogether.
As the STAR bonds are new, signed into legislation by the General Assembly just a few months ago, in December 2025, Inman said city officials will be meeting with Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) staff Feb. 24 to gain more insight and clarification on the criteria, and if Macomb would qualify based on the set criteria. The new bond program, which is designed to support economic growth, is being offered to communities statewide through a competitive application process.
In order to be eligible for the program, units of local government must first establish a STAR bond district via resolution, and these districts must be in an area with at least 10,000 residents within a five-mile radius that is located no more than 15 miles from either a state highway or federal interstate. Macomb’s location fits that eligibility, with the spot for the complex recently announced at the south end of Bower Road, at the intersection of Bower Road and East Jackson Street. In addition, at least 50 percent of this area must be located within an underserved area at the time the district plan is submitted.
“We cannot apply for the program without a private developer in place, so we are in talks with some interested developers. We believe we will be able to move ahead, but we do have some critical questions that need to be answered,” Inman explained. “The answers we receive in our Feb. 24 meeting with DCEO will help us to make the decision if we can proceed with the STAR bond application. If we do not receive the bond we could still move ahead, but we’d have much larger gaps to fill with grants, donations and sponsorships, which I believe adds a great deal of uncertainty about us moving forward from there.”
STAR bond applications are due by January 2027, with the bonds awarded in January 2028. There is only one bond available for this geographic region; however, he believes that Macomb will be a “strong contender” should they get the answers they’re seeking at next week’s meeting.
“One of our off-ramps would be following our meeting with DCEO. If it’s not even feasible for us to apply, if we cannot meet the criteria, then the project is likely dead in the water,” Inman pointed out. “But we believe we can meet the criteria, such as creating over 300 new jobs, not just the construction jobs needed, but the jobs created by the new hotels, restaurants and other developments that will be a result of this complex being built in Macomb. It also requires a $30 million investment, again, this doesn’t even include the millions related to other development connected to the sports complex. That said, we have numerous technical questions that we must get answers to before moving forward.”
Should the city determine it can meet criteria, the Macomb City Council will need to vote to apply for the STAR bonds prior to the June 1 opening.
The Background
The startup costs to build Macomb’s sports complex is $58.4 million. The city, which does undertake the cost of building the facility, would own the complex, with Sports Facilities Company (SFC) managing all aspects of the new city venture. The concept is that the sports complex will be an anchor for a much larger retail and commercial development, known as ancillary development, located near the facility, Inman said.
According to the study completed last year by SFC, the complex could bring visitors from four-plus hours to Macomb for sporting and other events held at the sports complex. Once here, the study noted that guests would stay in hotels, eat at restaurants and shop at local stores. While there are 125 sports facilities in the region, only10 have major indoor arenas. The closest to Macomb is 90-minutes from Macomb in Bettendorf, IA; however, the City of Quincy, approximately 60 miles down the road from Macomb, is reviewing the possibility of a sports complex in their community.
The Sports Facilities Advisory recommended building an 8.18-acre complex in Macomb that will contain eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, seating for 4,000 and a parking lot to accommodate 434 vehicles. SFC estimates the facility could host 20-30 tournaments and events in year one, and approximately 40 tournaments and events by year five, along with other special performances, private party rentals and family-related events. The facility will also have a “family entertainment center” that could include such features as an arcade, a climbing wall and other opportunities to provide entertainment options year-round.
Overnight visitors are projected to spend $138 per day in year one, eventually reaching $146 in the fifth year. An overall $7.4 million in spending within the community is estimated for the first year, with that number increasing to $15.5 million by the fifth year.
“I’ve said this time and time again, property taxes will not be impacted. We will not raise property taxes to fund this initiative,” Inman told the Brief in the initial update story that ran in December 2025. “Along every step of this process there is an ‘offramp’ and if there is something that comes up that affects our community negatively in terms of taxes or costs, we will not continue,” he added. “Sports tourism is a $55 billion dollar industry, and within five to eight years, it’s expected to increase to $85 billion. This complex serves as an anchor for much larger development that benefits our community and our region.
“Even if we build this, and it’s ultimately not a success, property taxes will not be affected as we’re only obligating the business development district revenue and TIF money to service the debt obligation payments,” Inman stressed. “For example, we build it and five years later, it closes, the city will not use general operating funds to pay the debt service for this project.”
Inman brought up the many “offramps” again, noting throughout every step of the process, there are opportunities to cease-and-desist if it’s determined not to be financially viable or feasible for the city to support.
The City of Macomb has put together a feedback form on its website, and also has a variety of presentation- related information uploaded. For more information or to submit feedback, visit cityofmacomb.com/ cityofmacombproposedsportsfacility.
