Your turn: Rockford deserves to be on top of good lists
Rockford deserves to be on top of good lists
There’s no doubt Rockford has made a lot of progress in the last 10 years and the recent Wall Street Journal/Realtor.com story that ranks Rockford as the No. 1 housing market in the country confirms that.
That you can get twice the house for half the price in Rockford than you can in other markets is not a secret. The affordability of Rockford’s housing stock has long been seen as a community strength.
It should be noted, however, that 40 percent of the Realtor.com ranking was based on economic health and quality of life.
More: WSJ/Realtor.com names Rockford metro area no. 1 housing market in country
Those factors keep people here and attract people here. There is a lot to see and do no matter whether you like music, the arts, a good run on a rec path or a relaxing day in a park. Water is abundant, the soil is fertile and the climate is moderate.
Jobs are being created faster than the housing market can keep up. Healthcare, aerospace and logistics are just three areas that provide plenty of employment in the region. Chicago Rockford International Airport is one of the top 20 cargo airports in the nation and the site of AAR, which trains people to succeed as aircraft mechanics.
A recent study predicted the Rockford metropolitan area will add 3,400 new jobs and the city’s population should increase from 148,655 to 152,570 by 2032, and the city population could go as high as 162,700.
Those newcomers will need places to live. The solution is not just to build more houses. It’s creating a climate where people want to live here.
That work is being done. There’s the Rockford Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Destination Plan and the ongoing Made For Rockford Campaign. The Rockford Arts Council’s Cultural Plan has the potential to make this an even better place to live, work and play. Think Big is building an ecosystem to support entrepreneurs, particularly individuals of color.
There’s much more, but those four easily come to mind.
Rockford has the potential for greatness and belongs at the top of lists. Newcomers, which in Rockford is anyone who’s been here fewer than three decades, love the city. Those who were born and raised here tend to be the toughest critics, and when newcomers come to town, the oldsters ask “Why Rockford?”
The Wall Street Journal/Realtor.com story tells the world why.
Like many American cities, work needs to continue to improve education, equity, access to housing and mental health services and of, course, public safety,
There are initiatives in place to address those areas. Rockford Public Schools has 16 career pathways to prepare students for the next phase of their lives. Rockford Promise offers full-tuition scholarships to graduates of Rockford Public Schools. Rock Valley College offers Running Start for students who want to accelerate their education. Career Online High School and the imminent Excel Center are available for those seeking a high school diploma after some delay.
The community has initiated several efforts to ensure greater opportunities for equity, inclusion and belonging. These now are top of mind and activities are intentional for building a welcoming climate.
Voters approved a 0.5 percent sales tax for mental health services in 2020. About half of the violent crime in Rockford is because of domestic violence and the Family Peace Center provides crucial services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their children.
The land bank and trustee program run by the Region 1 Planning Council reduce blight and put homes back on the market. This spring’s online auction of tax-delinquent properties netted more than $1 million in gross sales.
Rockford City Council is in the midst of a conversation to develop a strategic housing plan.
Rockford has come a long way from being at the top of miserable lists and the above mentioned initiatives show that we recognize how much more can be achieved.
Let’s not diminish the significance of Rockford being on the top of a good list. It’s a reason to celebrate and thank those who helped make it happen.
It’s not “mission accomplished,” but it is a reminder of how much better the city and region are today than they were a decade ago.
Wally Haas is executive director of Transform Rockford. His email address is whaas@transformrockford.org.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Your turn: Rockford deserves to be on top of good lists
