More interesting numbers

March 18th, 2008 at 09:19am Alex Gary

In 2007, for the first time ever, more shopping was done outside of the city of Rockford in the Rock River Valley.

The Illinois Department of Revenue released its year-end statistics this week and it showed a tough year for Rockford retailers. The amount of retail sales tax revenue being returned to the city was $24.7 million, down 1.9 percent from 2006.

In contrast, the amount of retail sales going to regional municipalities increased from $24.4 million in 2006 to $25 million in 2007.

Of course, this was inevitable. Cities such as Belvidere, Poplar Grove and Roscoe are among the fastest growing in northern Illinois and retailers are building where the people are going. Illinois 173 is among the fastest growing retail corridors in the state and 2007 saw the opening of a lifestyle center at CherryVale Mall.

Entry Filed under: Uncategorized