Corporate Express, one of the largest business-to-business suppliers of office and computer products, recently announced its plans to bring approximately 600 new employees to the former ADT facility at 777 S. Sable Blvd. in Aurora. The Aurora Economic Development Council coordinated a city, county and state incentive package for the new 80,000 square foot Corporate Express customer service center.

Congratulations to Aurora Economic Development Council investor, Northrop Grumman, for selecting Aurora to expand its business operations. Northrop will build a new 75,000 square foot facility adjacent to its Aurora campus where it will house an additional 350 employees. Construction of the new facility will commence in summer 2006 and the organization plans to occupy the building by summer 2007.

MasterCraft, a cabinet manufacturer, leased 200,000 square feet of a new 283,000 square foot building at the northeast corner of E-470 and I-70 in Aurora. MasterCraft will be consolidating two facilities and relocating 280 employees to the site owned by Aurora Economic Development Council investor, ProLogis. Through its retention efforts, the Aurora Economic Development Council staff supplied site information to MasterCrafts’ broker.

Imperial Headwear, a hat embroiderer and manufacturer, signed a long-term lease for the entire building at 17101 East Ohio Drive in Aurora. The 112,000 square-foot facility will house the company's headquarters office and manufacturing operations. The company has been in business since 1916 and employs 225 people. The Aurora Economic Development Council worked with Imperial Headwear to identify financing and recruitment resources to aid its move to Aurora, plus provided contacts related to health care issues and RTD routes. We would like to welcome Imperial Headwear to the city.