Industrial parks of the Fox river valley

Includes bibliographical references (pages 81-82)This study is undertaken to examine the specialized method of scientific lead use planning formulated to provide the most efficient use of lend for industrial activities known as the industrial Park, the concept of industrial parks and a brief history of industrial park development are discussed. Regionally, this study is particularly concerned with the description of the growth and development, spatial distribution, interrelationships, and areal associations of the industrial parks of the Fox River Valley of Illinois. A description of the general nature of establishments situated within these industrial parks, their characteristics, their origins, and the degree of complementarity are given. Archival research and personal interviews were employed to obtain the necessary data. Three libraries ware utilized as well as interviews with county and community agencies, individual developers, and representatives of the establishments situated within the industrial parks of the Fox River Valley. Development of industrial parks in the Fox River Valley began in 1956. Presently there are 19 industrial parks, nine of which contain establishments. The pattern of industrial park distribution tends to cluster within or near the corporate limits of the communities of the Fox River Valley. The parks display a wide range in size. The nature of establishments situated within industrial parks is extremely varied, as is employment, site else, and floor space. Thirty-seven per cent of the manufacturing firms are relocations from nearby communities and 31 per cent originated in other parts of the Chicago Area. Fifty par cent of the manufacturing establishment representatives reported a national raw material source area and 45 per cent reported a national market area. Complementarity is not significant and this is partly the result of the predominance of national raw material and market areas. Industrial park development in the Fox River Valley is yet in its "youthful" or incipient stage. If the rate of United States industrial expansion and the present trend of relocation of industry away from the congestion of Chicago persists, it is probable industrial parks will contain an important portion of the total industry of the Fox River Valley.M.S. (Master of Science