Food producer coming to Geneva

The zesty scent of chicken fries will soon be wafting through the industrial park on the east side of Geneva.

Kane County has approved $10,250,000 in bonds for On-Cor Frozen Foods, manufacturer of such frozen delicacies as pork patties and Salisbury steaks, to relocate from Chicago to the industrial park.

The county board approved the Recovery Zone Facility Bonds this month under a federal stimulus program designed to help businesses acquire, build or renovate property. The subsidized bonds will be repaid with revenues generated by On-Cor, not taxpayer dollars, according to the county.

The county estimated in August that On-Cor's move would bring 100 to 120 construction jobs and 130 permanent jobs, including 46 new jobs, to Geneva and the Tri-Cities area.

“It's going to be a strong work force that will have a trickle effect on our businesses,” Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns said. “What we're most pleased about is that our industrial park has become a de facto food storage and distribution hub.”

The industrial park is already home to, or will soon host, other food operations, including Millard Refrigerated Services, the Northern Illinois Food Bank and Roquette America.

According to the loan agreement with the county, Millard will construct a new building at 2088 Geneva Drive, adjacent to Millard's existing facility, that On-Cor will then lease for its food production operations.

On-Cor, according to county documents, will use the bond proceeds as well as $2.75 million from other sources to purchase $13 million in food manufacturing equipment.

Burns said Geneva's favorable electricity rates, economic development efforts and work force as well as the proximity to Millard, which stores and distributes On-Cor's products, were all factors in the company's decision to move to Geneva.

“They produce the food and can refrigerate it next door,” Burns said.

The mayor said construction on the new facility will begin next year, with On-Cor set to move into the industrial park by the end of 2011.

On-Cor could not be reached for comment.