Weichai gets state, county incentives to expand in Rolling Meadows

Rolling Meadows-based Weichai America Corp. Monday received a $1.1 million tax incentive package from the state to expand its workforce and build a research center after the company threatened to move to Canada.

Cook County also provided the company with a property tax incentive, called Class 7B, in July for the new construction of projects valued at more than $2 million. Qualifying properties can apply to receive a 12-year reduction in real estate assessments from the standard rate of 25 percent, Toni Preckwinkle said in a release on Monday.

The company, a subsidiary of Weichai Group in Weifang, China, will build a major technology development and testing center. The company manufactures engines, powertrain systems and core accessories while serving customers in about 150 countries. The Weichai America's project will require interior demolition and renovation of a 166,772-square-foot office building at 3100 Golf Road in Rolling Meadows.

Weichai has 21 workers in Rolling Meadows and plans to add another 32 workers over the next 10 years under the state's Edge tax credit program, said David Roeder, a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, which oversees the program.

"This is an expansion to provide some high-quality jobs to the Northwest Suburbs," Roeder said.

Weichai President Houman Kashanipour did not immediately respond, but said in a statement that Rolling Meadows was chosen over Canada because of its proximity to a high-tech supply base, customers and the availability of highly skilled talent. The company will invest about $8 million in construction and improvements.

"Illinois was attractive to Weichai America because of its central location in the United States and its conducive environment for growing businesses. Weichai America looks forward to continued cooperation with local, county and state agencies as our commercial activities expand in these new markets," Kashanipour said in the statement.

Since May, Rolling Meadows officials have fought to keep Weichai and its planned research and development facility in town. Weichai bought the two-story former Unilever building on Golf Road about two years ago. The building has been vacant for about five years.