Milestones

Looking back on over 35 years of community-based development, GROWTH has much to be proud of. From its beginnings as a simple housing organization, GROWTH has grown into a highly complex organization in order to continue to be effective as a community development organization.
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Organizational Milestones

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History

In the 1980’s, one of Rock Island’s major employers, International Harvester, closed its doors resulting in a loss of 5,000 jobs.

Rock Island's population dropped over 20%, and a common bumper sticker read “If you are the last one to leave, please turn out the lights.”  
 
Instead of giving up, the community joined together to seek ways to promote new development, new housing, new businesses, expansion of current businesses and to improve the overall quality of life in Rock Island.  
 
The renaissance began and GROWTH was birthed, serving as a catalyst to spur the commitment and investment of public and private partners.
 

The EARLY YEARS

1992: The Doris & Victor Day Foundation
donated $500,000 (2-year commitment) to kick start GROWTH’s home renovation program in Rock Island.
 
1993: Completion of four homes in one of Rock Island’s oldest, historic neighborhoods
 
1996: HOME Purchase Renovation Program begins as a pilot initiative in Rock Island
 
1998: GROWTH and Breachmenders capitalized on the strengths of each entity and combined into one non-profit housing organization– GROWTH announces single family housing programs in Rock Island.
 
1999: GROWTH was designated as a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) by HUD. CHDO's qualify for a special set aside for funding, technical assistance and predevelopment dollars. 

RAPID GROWTH

2010: GROWTH as lead organization of the Northwestern Illinois Housing Coalition was awarded $18.5 million Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 and administered the program for the City of Rock Island, City of Moline, and the City of Sterling.
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2011: GROWTH redevelops Jackson Square, 30 apartments, 2 commercial spaces, $8.8 million development and Goldman Family Block, 5 apartments and 4 commercial spaces $1.2 million.
 
2012:  Amended bylaws to expand its footprint as a national non-profit 
NSP 1 ($3.1 million) was success fully closed out in partnership with the City of Rock Island
 
Central States Development Partners, closed on its first New Market Tax Credits Transaction with DOT Foods, Inc. in Mt. Sterling, IL
 
GROWTH awarded and deploys $3.5 million in IL Attorney Gen eral National Foreclosure Settle ment Funds (AG) in northwestern IL.

Continued GROWTH

2014:GROWTH builds The Locks,34 residential apartments, $6.1 million.
 
2015: GROWTH launches its own construction company, Growth General Contracting LLC
 
2016: GROWTH redevelop Star Block, 8 apartments, 2 commercial, $2.2 million
 
2010-2015:GROWTH rehabilitates (44) and builds (17) new single family homes in Rock Island, Morrison, and Fulton through NSP and AG funds.
 
2016: GROWTH’s Community Development Entity, Central States Development Partners, applies and is awarded its first ever New Market Tax Credit Allocation, $45 million.

2016: Completion of first rural development in Sterling, IL, Lawrence Lofts, 20  apartments, $5.6 million
 
2017: GROWTH launches its own property management company, Home Base Property Management
 
2017: GROWTH closes on Coatsworth Apartments in Galena, IL– 18 senior apartments and 1 commercial space.
 
2018:  Central States Development Partners, wins second New Market Tax Credit award, $20 million.

2018: Construction begins on Centre @ 501 in downtown Springfield, adaptive reuse of a historic former church into residential and commercial development.

2018: GROWTH expands into Arkansas, becoming a certified Community Housing Development Organization.

2018: GROWTH acquires the former Shimer College campus and President's home (Sawyer House) in Mount Carroll, IL.