Yorkville salutes economic development

Golden Arrows: Businesses add buildings, jobs to city

YORKVILLE — Two financial-service companies, a dentist, a packaging firm and a company that helps renovate the homes of people with physical disabilities were honored this week by the Yorkville Economic Development Corporation.

The YEDC presented its Golden Arrow awards at its Fourth Annual meeting at the Beecher Center. About 240 people attended.

The five Yorkville businesses honored for their development and expansion efforts were Earthmover Credit Union, Dr. Peter LoDestro, Union Bank, Team Eagle Packaging Systems Inc. and Accessible Living Ltd.

The YEDC, formed five years ago to encourage commercial and industrial development in Yorkville, is funded through its nearly 150 member organizations, as well as public funds

YEDC Executive Director Lynn Dubajic said this year's Golden Arrow recipients offer "outstanding examples of determination, creativity, and fortitude."

"The capital investment made in our community truly does impact each of us positively by creating new jobs, diversifying the tax base, and creating a strong business climate that undeniably effects all businesses in the community," Dubajic said.

Golden Arrow award winners for new development include:

• Earthmover Credit Union in July opened a 5,700-square-foot branch off Route 47 in Yorkville Marketplace. The facility, which is the company's largest branch outside of its main headquarters in Oswego Township, employs eight people.
• Dr. Peter LoDestro built a 6,000-square-foot office building at 803 N. Bridge St. which includes four suites, one of which houses his dental practice. The distinctive brick-and-stone building features 12-foot ceilings, unique lighting, oversized trim and a minimum of 10 windows for each suite.
• UnionBank was honored for its 6,000-square-foot Yorkville branch on Route 34 in the Yorkville Marketplace. The branch, which the Streator-based company opened in December, employs 12. The bank features a modern exterior design and includes a coffee bar and a children's play area for families.
  Two businesses received Golden Arrow awards for their expansion/renovation efforts:
• Team Eagle Packaging Systems built a new 12,000-square foot facility in the Yorkville Business Center off Route 47. Team Eagle, which was founded in a one-room office in downtown Yorkville in 1988, has moved three times due to its sales growth and expanding customer base. The company added two new staff members to its workforce and has plans for adding four more in near future.
• Accessible Living Ltd. was honored for its new showroom and offices at 308 N. Bridge St., which opened in January in a century-old renovated house. The 3,000-square-foot building includes a number of modifications that make the building accessible for people with physical disabilities. Dr. Gary Kritzberg and his wife Susan have added a retail sales showroom and increased staff to a total of 12 employees.