Economic Growth Booming in Macomb Area Setting the Record Straight
In response to a rather slanted story recently published by the Wall Street Journal, the Macomb community and its area partners are coming together to tout the many positive developments the area has experienced in the past 5 years.
The WSJ story focus was on the decline of enrollment at 4-Year Universities across the nation. The WSJ chose WIU, and along with that, also chose to paint a rather dismal light on life in Macomb. An article written with little to no research on the big picture of Macomb, was full of half truths and omitted positive interviews from several area residents and business owners. it is now Macomb’s turn to set the story straight. Let’s first briefly address the focus of the WSJ story, WIU, Yes, like a vast many universities across the nation, WIU is seeing a downturn of enrollment and for many reasons. Remote learning, a decrease in population and additional education options for career opportunities, to name a few. WIU President, Dr. Kristi Mindrup and her team are working diligently to “rightshape” the University, and unfortunately that means layoffs and changes in curriculum, but that is her story to tell. In the meantime we encourage you to visit wiu. edu/news to read the stories about WIU’s many successful programs, students, faculty and alumni.
This story is about Macomb and its area partners. So, let’s stop for a moment and tell the rest of the story that the Wall Street Journal apparently didn’t see fit to include: That is the nearly $1 Billion (yes Billion with a B) investment that has been made through a number of economic development initiatives within the past 5 years… which is extraordinary for a community off the beaten path like the Macomb area.
Education
Let’s begin with Spoon River College (SRC), the college that was left out of the WSJ story and it is not only experiencing growing enrollment, it is also currently expanding the Macomb campus with a 66,000 square foot build out - an investment in the community of $17.2 million. This new space brings additional classrooms, labs simulation suites for career programs – including new programs in heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC) and industrial maintenance that includes robotics repair .
Then there is the local school districts; Macomb School District built a new Middle School, a $17.8 million investment to house 6th through 8th grade students located near the existing high school.
West Prairie School District also invested in the area with a $10 million project for a new Middle School.
Government and Infrastructure:
The McDonough County Courthouse has undergone a massive $6 million renovation of the 150 year old building, including tuck pointing and cleaning the exterior, repairing the foundation and replacing stairs and sidewalks and adding a new ADA compliant entrance. In the inside a new HVAC system has been installed, offices remodeled and a state of the art security system installed.
The City of Macomb invested $6 million in the Downtown Renovation Project, another $6 million for the Johnson street project near the High School, $25 million in a new water plant, and $3 million on the sewer plant, to name a few.
Business Investments • McDonough District Hospital has invested $9 million in a new Community Pharmacy and more on a number of improvements to its existing campus
• Graham Health System of Canton has invested nearly $5 million in Macomb by building a clinic on the east side of Macomb and recently announced the establishment of a second health clinic on Macomb’s west side in the building that formerly housed Palermo’s.
Industry and Service • iDoc, a national device repair company that was created by a former WIU student in 2014 in his dorm room, in Macomb is now the third fastest growing company in Illinois, and Repair has expanded its services with a new 7,500-squarefoot building in Macomb’s Business Park at an investment amount of $1 million.
• Macomb and the surrounding area is home to several world wide manufacturers; NTN Roller Bearings, Pella Windows, Marshalltown Tools, and Yetter Farm Equipment, to name a few, that employ over 1500 area residents that spend dollars right here in the Macomb area.
Arts/Entertainment • The Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts (CPA) on WIU’s Macomb campus is expected to be completed by February 2026. The 100,000-square-foot, $119 million building – which is funded by the state’s Capital Development funds – will include classrooms, offices, practice rooms, studios and performance spaces. The Great Hall, an 869-seat Proscenium Theatre, will provide an ultramodern performance space for music, theatre and dance productions as well as regional and national touring performances, while the smaller Black Box theatre will provide a more intimate space for campus productions.
•The Macomb Art Center and the Western Illinois Museum have each remodeled to add a number of programs and exhibits.
Tourism
• Macombopoly is a HUGE tourism initiative, which is only in its first year, and is bringing thousands from across the world to Macomb’s Historic Downtown to play the world’s largest Monopoly game and to shop the many unique shops in the Downtown. This tourist attraction has the potential to bring more people into the community and potentially invest in what most visitors see as “very friendly” and a “vibrant, quaint and beautiful city,” according to comments left by tourists passing through.
Parks and Rec
Macomb Park District invested over $360,000 into Macomb’s Parks, primarily in Patton Park, improving the quality of life for visitors as well as the community.
National Retail & Restaurants
• The Carrington Company, a California based real estate group has invested millions in Macomb over the past 18 months and has so far brought in big box retailers Hobby Lobby and TJ Maxx. The development group also owns 4 additional prime properties in Macomb and is aggressively marketing those with Macomb Area Economic Development Corporation (MAEDCO).
• Shoe Sensation is returning to Macomb after regrettably leaving due to lease issues 4 years ago.
• Chipotle has built a new location and opened this past week, Beef- A-Roo purchased the old Hardees building on West Jackson Street and is expected to open its newest location yet this year. Others that have recently opened; Dat Wing Spot, The Breakfast House, Hometown Cafe and More.
Local Owned Business We can’t forget our existing business renovations & expansions, which have been many. Many who see Macomb as a “forever” home for their businesses.
• JB Designs • Apex Investments- Cory Clem
• Wells Fargo • Park Place
• 2Dye4 • Small Towner
• RP Lumber • All About PIeces • West Side Lumber expansion and more. We apologize if we’ve missed new and existing businesses who are dedicated to Macomb and McDonough County.
These – and so much more – are the rest of the story that the Wall Street Journal reporter failed to research – and acknowledge – because this isn’t the “gotcha” they were clearly going for.
Future Projects in Play • Sports Tourism - Besides the many prime locations available in Macomb and the surrounding area, the City of Macomb along with its partners; Macomb Area Economic Development Corporation, Macomb Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Macomb Chamber of Commerce, Macomb Park District, YMCA of McDonough County and McDonough District Hospital have invested $40K in a pro-forma study to develop an indoor Multi-Sports Complex within Macomb city limits. The Sports Complex, if it all comes to fruition, would be an overall investment into the community of nearly $100 million. The initial phase of the pro forma has been completed and the city has voted to go on to Stage 2. The complex would feature 8 basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, arcade and retractable seating for 4,000.
• Randolph House renovation - $4 million
• Chandler Park Renovation - $3 million So, as we talk amongst ourselves and share this story with others on social media, in the news and out on the street, let’s tell the entire story: Macomb is a vibrant and evolving community, with a lot to offer residents and visitors alike.
Remember, Realtor.com got it right when the WSJ didn’t: Macomb is one of the nation’s most affordable and desirable places to live.
