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Galesburg going forward without Cat

By Anna Yee
February 8, 2012 Updated Feb 8, 2012 at 11:15 PM CDT

GALESBURG, Ill. -- It was a scenario the Mayor of Galesburg did not want to walk into, a city without Caterpillar.

The news that Big Yellow may re-locate a plant nearly 900 miles away marked the end of the Galesburg's three month campaign for the plant.

"It would have meant a lot not only to Galesburg, but the West Central region, but we understand," said Galesburg Mayor Sal Garza. "Their search was very narrow and scope when it came to North Carolina, and that was apparent by the information we received from Caterpillar."

The Maytag building was a top contender to host the plant, which could have created at least 1,000 new jobs.

The city is still trying to re-build its economy after companies, like Maytag, began closing about a decade ago.

One area in Galesburg that has held on is its downtown.

There are more 130 businesses still open with more than 4500 employees working here.

That's according to Casey's Party Creations owners.

Dennis Case has been co-owner for the last 18 years and is also President of the Galesburg Business Association.

He says the local economy still needs a lift.

"If you bring a thousand jobs to any community, especially a community the size of Galesburg, a thousand jobs are going to make a huge impact in the area," said Dennis Case. "You know, money turns over three and a half times, so whatever the payroll was for those thousand jobs, it would have been multiplied three and a half times."

"Hopefully, wherever they're going, they're going to realize how fortunate they are to have a huge company like Caterpillar coming to their community," said co-owner Carla Case.

Mayor Garza says making Galesburg attractive for other big businesses will take greater involvement from the Governor and General Assembly.

"Maybe we're taking a small little rest right now, but we have to continue to climb," said Garza. "There really isn't any other viable option."

In fact, Mayor Garza says there are other projects in the pipeline, and that Galesburg remains open for business.

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