Our friends in the 12th Ward office shared this news release -- including photos -- celebrating a major industrial and business investment in the Back of the Yards neighborhood right south of the McKinley Park neighborhood:





HARVEST FOOD GROUP TO REDEVELOP INDUSTRIAL SITE IN THE 12TH WARD
$60 million project would create 250 jobs, provide community green space

CHICAGO – Alderman George Cardenas is thrilled to announce Harvest Food Group's relocation to the 12th Ward. In collaboration with Mayor Lightfoot, the Alderman has been working for the last year to bring the $60 million project to the Southwest side. Harvest Food Group, a manufacturer of frozen fruits, vegetables, entrees, and other items, will convert an abandoned, environmentally hazardous eight-acre industrial site into a modern manufacturing facility.

"This is certainly a moment of celebration for the Back of the Yards neighborhood. This project represents a significant investment in the community, as it will retain and create around 250 jobs in the 12th Ward. We are truly breathing life back into the Stockyards," said Alderman George Cardenas.

"I want to thank Mayor Lightfoot for ensuring that we continue to invest in our South and West Side neighborhoods. I'd also like to express my gratitude to the Harvest Food Group team for selecting the 12th Ward as its new home."

• The project would contribute $2,025,000.00 to improve Damen Avenue.
• Environmental and other soil remediation will be carried out and completed by Harvest, in addition to the construction of an underground stormwater detention system.
• At the request of Alderman Cardenas, the project site plan has been carefully designed to serve as a transition point between manufacturing and residential areas. It will include landscaped buffer areas for neighborhood use.
• The buffer areas would feature new plantings, a walking path along Wolcott, pergolas with seating areas and inset panels for future, community-designed murals.

Harvest Food Group's relocation is part of the community investment program INVEST South/West. Harvest should be completely operational at the project site by 2024.