Rockford Register Star
Belvidere General Mills warehouse was supposed to open months ago. Here's the hold up
By Chris Green, Rockford Register Star,
1 day ago
The exterior of the massive General Mills warehouse and distribution center at 1210 Irene Road is complete and the landscaping is in place, but the anticipated fall opening date has been pushed back.
Belvidere Mayor Clint Morris said the company, which broke ground in August 2022, is now eyeing a late winter-early spring opening due to a shipping delay.
"They're still waiting on supplies," he said.
Exactly what supplies and equipment have yet to arrive is not clear.
"It could be storage racks, maybe forklifts. I don't know," Morris said.
General Mills still is on pace to hire 55 to 75 people, Morris said, as was written into its agreement with the city.
The 1.3 million-square-foot warehouse and distribution center will be state-of-the-art with an unspecified level of automation, but will not be fully automated, Morris said.
"From the city's perspective, this is about creating jobs," he said. "There will be workers out there."
General Mills has been a part of the Belvidere community for over 20 years and currently operates a specialty foods manufacturing plant at 915 E. Pleasant St. where it produces cereals and food for the company's Nature Valley and Fiber One brands.
Chris Green: 815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen
