Airport authority to pitch in for redevelopment firm

BusinessRockford.com Staff Reports

ROCKFORD — The Greater Rockford Airport Authority approved its $75,000 share of a downtown and riverfront revitalization proposal tonight.

The money will be used by the Rock River Development Partnership, which is hiring Montreal consulting firm Live Work Learn Play to develop an action plan. The goal is to come up with steps for reviving downtown and enticing riverfront development.

The airport authority joins the Rockford Housing Authority ($75,000), the Rockford Area Economic Development Council ($75,000), the Rockford Local Development Corp. ($10,000) and the Rockford Park District (clerical support).

Rock River Development Partnership is headed by SupplyCore CEO Peter Provenzano, who is also a member of the airport authority board of commissioners. Provenzano abstained from tonight’s vote, which was 5-0.