A public hearing is set for the Montgomery Village Board meeting Dec. 13 on the annexation of the old Caterpillar site into the village.
The Montgomery Plan Commission recently voted in favor of annexing the 345-acre site at 325 N. Route 31 into the village of Montgomery.
The property is currently zoned M-2 Heavy Industrial in Kendall County. The owners are requesting an M-2 manufacturing zoning for the site as a part of the annexation, with flexibility to allow for B-2 business zoning for certain lots on the property.
Michael Reich of Reich Brothers, a national industrial real estate firm which owns the former Caterpillar site, said several firms have signed long-term leases to utilize portions of the plant once they become viable. Already, a maker of medical gloves plans to begin production within the next year at the site.
“My hope is that we can create a campus, hopefully another cutting edge of high-tech manufacturing,” he said.
Village officials seem pleased with the project.
“We believe the redevelopment of this site will be a benefit to the village, helping to diversify the tax base, bringing more jobs to the village and the region, and an increased awareness in the industrial real estate market of the village, hopefully encouraging more manufacturing businesses to consider Montgomery for their business,” said Sonya Abt, director of community development for Montgomery.
Reich also pointed out a rail line through the property that is a big plus for the site.
Judy Pochel is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
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