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Business in St. Charles

Since its inception in 1834, St. Charles has prospered. The Fox River, world-class architecture, international employers, and exceptional city services have created a community that enjoys a reputation of being the “Pride of the Fox.” In 2006 St. Charles ranked 19th in the Chicagoland area with over $991 million in retail sales in 2006.

Over 2,100 businesses employ more than 34,200 people consisting of a balanced mix of retailers, restaurants, and manufacturing facilities. An active Chamber of Commerce, a full-service Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the award-winning Downtown St. Charles Partnership assist them.

The St. Charles Business/Industrial Park, located on the east side of the city, provides over 750 acres of business and industrial development. This park is adjacent to the DuPage Airport (3rd busiest in Illinois) on Rte. 64, is serviced by the Union Pacific Railroad, and is within six miles of I-88. Manufacturers have found significant advantages by locating in St. Charles with low municipal electric rates and reduced insurance rates due to the Fire Department ISO Rating of “2.” New growth is being experienced with the construction of the Legacy Business Park (36 acres) just south of Rte. 64 on Kirk Rd.

Also to the east, the Charlestowne Mall retail district, Pheasant Run Resort and Convention Center, and DuPage Expo contribute to lodging, shopping, dining, and entertainment offerings.

Downtown St. Charles is at the onset of one of the largest undertakings in the City’s history - the First Street Redevelopment Project. This development along the Fox River will add 163,496 square feet of retail space, 115,000 square feet of office space, 95 housing units, and 943 parking spaces and will be completed in phases over the next four years. For more information visit www.1ststreetstc.org or call (630) 762-7097.

To the west, our busy Randall Road corridor is home to the Kane County Fairgrounds, the Kane County Judicial Center, and retailers such as Zylstra Harley-Davidson, Lowe’s and Meijer. Extensive new developments are underway throughout the west side, including major road improvements at the intersection of Rte. 64 and Randall Road The Foundry Business Park, one of five TIF Districts in St. Charles, includes 390,000 square feet in eight buildings.

The Economic Development Department (EDD) was created in 1998 to liaison with the St. Charles business community to retain existing businesses and market the city externally to attract new businesses. The EDD is a source for the city’s Community Profile (detailed demographic information), Traffic Counts, Available Commercial Properties, Business Listings, Sales Tax Information, Employment Resources for Employers, Publicity Opportunities, and a Shopping Center Directory. All of these and more can be found online at www.stcharlesil.gov/edd.

The City listens to the business community. Every month EDD arranges small area block meetings with the business community and public officials through its Business Retention Program. It is an opportunity for businesses to meet their neighbors and discuss topics of concern with the Mayor, City Administrator, EDD, and others who provide services to the business community (the Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Partnership, Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Elgin Community College). The meetings allow for an informal exchange of ideas, are excellent networking opportunities for businesses to meet their neighbors, and help the City identify issues of concern relating to the business community.

Elgin Community College (ECC) offers FREE business counseling to existing and prospective small business owners with appointments available at the City Municipal Center on Monday afternoons. For more information or to make an appointment, contact the ECC Small Business Development Center at (847) 214-7488.