Although it may seem counterintuitive, the Great Recession is actually a great time to start a business.  As it turns out, 16 of the 30 companies on the Dow Jones Industrial Average were started during the Great Depression or a past recession.

With spring arriving, restaurants and bars in Rockford are opening outdoor seating for patrons. A hand full of restaurants and bars, such as Bamboo Asian Noodles and Tapas Bar, Brio, and Kryptonite will be opening their patios, providing additional seating for those who wish to enjoy the beautiful Spring weather.
 

One of Rockford's largest banks, Amcore, has agreed to sell off 12  branches to Midland States Bank of Effingham, Illinois.

Midland States Bank is set to acquire branches that are located in Dixon, Freeport, Mendota, Oregon, Peru, Princeton, Rock Falls and Sterling. For Amcore, which also sold four rural Wisconsin branches in November, this sale is another step in an effort to assure the bank is adequately capitalized.

Know your obligations as a business owner. Call The Crosby Law Firm at 815-397-2006 to schedule a free consultation.

A new law promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association will affect businesses with grills or fryers that produce “grease-laden vapors.” As such, restaurants, bars, and churches may be affected.

The Associated Press reports that the unemployment rate has surpassed 10% for the first time since 1983. Further, reports show that the unemployment rate may increase even more over the next few months. The Labor Department reports that the economy lost a net total of 190,000 jobs in October 2009. This is less than the loss of 219,000 jobs in September 2009. The drop in the number of jobs lost from month to month has some people hopeful that the recession has ended. However, the total jobs lost each month have exceeded the estimates proposed by economists.

If Rockford does get Amtrack service, it is likely that it may consist of one train traveling each way, and it may not begin until 2012. The route would likely go through Genoa. Local Illinois leaders are hoping to successfully push for a second Amtrak train each day, and it is possible that the second train would travel through Belvidere. Local and Illinois state officials have met with rail advocates, and the idea for the two routes transpired during the meeting.

Fans of the Chrysler assembly plant in Belvidere, Illinois advocate for the plant by noting its good points. The plant has been profitable, and it is in a central location. However, critics wonder whether the assembly plant’s positive aspects will be enough to maintain operations and keep employees working in the future.