Cornerstone Award Recipients
Honoring Excellence in Downers Grove
Presented each year at the DGEDC Annual Luncheon, the Cornerstone Award recognizes exceptional new business investments and expansion projects completed during the 12 months preceding the event. Honorees exemplify excellence, innovation and a lasting commitment to Downers Grove through thoughtfully designed projects that generate a significant positive economic impact and contribute to the Village’s continued growth, vitality and quality of life.
2025 Winners
Chemring Energetic Devices has been a cornerstone of the Elsworth Business Park since merging with Scott, Inc. in 1976, and will proudly celebrate its 50th anniversary at 2525 Curtiss next year.
In 2023, Chemring purchased the former Molex facility at 5224 Katrine. Over the past two years, they have fully renovated the 45,000-square-foot building, creating more than 50 new jobs and investing over $12 million. Their expansion included a complete overhaul of the main assembly areas, installation of a new spray booth, and significant upgrades to the HVAC and power systems—ensuring a safe, efficient, and modern workplace.
Meanwhile, Chemring has continued reinvesting in its longstanding Curtiss Road location, with upgrades to the loading dock, installation of advanced pre-ship security systems, a new initiator assembly area, new load and blend room, three x-ray systems, and even an outdoor patio space for employees.
The Fresh Factory relocated its headquarters and assembly operations to 3600 Lacey Road in the fall of 2024, moving into a 56,000-square-foot facility. Since establishing its Downers Grove presence in early 2025, the company has created more than 100 jobs and invested over $3 million, doubling its production capacity from two lines to four, with more expansions planned in the year ahead.
Working in partnership with the Downers Grove EDC and the Illinois Department of Commerce, The Fresh Factory recently secured an EDGE Tax Credit from the State of Illinois, supporting their ambitious 10-year growth plan.
Founded in 2017 in Carol Stream, the company now employs 220 people and focuses on producing clean-label, good-for-you foods distributed nationwide through retailers such as Whole Foods and Costco.
The Lytle Auditorium opened in 2024 with a mission rooted in community: that small businesses help build strong communities.
The 3,200-square-foot facility stands out not only for its purpose but also for its design—the first commercial building in Downers Grove constructed with environmentally friendly, energy-efficient ICF materials, recognizable during construction for their resemblance to giant Lego blocks.
The auditorium provides a unique venue for private events of up to 96 guests, as well as flexible space for workshops, pop-ups, studio rentals, and local entrepreneurs. Owner Michelle Lytle, a proud Downers Grove North graduate, also gives back to the community by volunteering with DGN juniors and seniors, hosting entrepreneurial events each semester to inspire the next generation of business leaders.
Dedicated in February 2025, the Downers Grove Municipal Center brings together nearly all Village departments – excluding fire and public works – under one roof. The facility also houses the new Betty Cheever Council Chambers, designed to accommodate a variety of governmental meetings, and provides office space for District 58 administration.
This modern facility fosters efficient collaboration between employees, residents, and visitors, while offering welcoming features such as the Israel Blackburn Civil Rights Plaza, pedestrian-friendly walkways, native landscaping, and convenient on-site parking.
Sustainability was a central focus of the project. The Municipal Center incorporates solar panels, permeable pavers, green roofs, rain gardens and bioswales, advanced mechanical systems, and extensive native plantings – ensuring it serves as both a civic hub and a model of environmental stewardship.
2024 Winners
The Opus Group completed construction on the newest multi-family project in the Downtown in 2023. Opening to great fanfare, this 274,000-square-foot, 167 apartment building brings another Class-A residential building to Downers Grove.
Dash Apartments offer a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units and offers best-in-class amenities such as a pool deck, club room, fitness center, pet spa and dog run, and a bike lounge. The entire building is wi-fi enabled and offers smart appliances, lights and HVAC systems throughout.
One more detail of note, of the 304 off-street parking spaces in the building, 71 spaces are provided to First Baptist Church of Downers Grove for use during community activities and services.
Completed in 2023 by Indvestia Capital, the 6,400 SF multi-tenant building at Ogden Avenue and Highland Avenue adds new restaurant and retail opportunities along Downers Grove’s well traveled Ogden Avenue corridor.
Opening this past Summer, the community welcomed McAlister’s Deli, Pearl Vision and Buffalo Wild Wings Go, completely occupying the building.
One detail of note, since opening, tenants have employed 80+ Downers Grove North High School students and have already been active in the community sponsoring teams and events.
Completed earlier this year, Oak Trace Phase II was one of two large multi-family projects completed in the past 18 months in the Village of Downers Grove.
Phase I, completed in 2019, added a new 4-story healthcare center that included a physical therapy gym, dialysis center, nursing unit, assisted living apartments and memory support suites.
Expanding on the impressive Phase I, Phase II added a 5-story residential living building that included 145 independent living apartments. A commons building was included in this phase of development to create a main entrance and reception area for the community, providing connectivity to the new residential wings and the existing facilities on campus. The new commons building also provided ample underground parking for the expansion and is now a central location for the community’s amenities.
Completed in 2023, Old Second Bank relocated 90 plus employees to their new offices at 3010 Highland Parkway in the Highland Landmark III building.
Renovating over 31,000 SF, Old Second wanted to create a space for employees that was collaborative and could be used as a recruitment tool. Due to incredible growth starting in 2021, the bank decided to relocate key members of the leadership team and critical departments from various buildings in Aurora and surrounding areas, under one roof in Downers Grove.
The new office’s design was very purposeful with an eye on collaboration and team building. The location of the building and surrounding community was also a major contributing factor to its selection. With great access to the Interstate System and Metra, along with great restaurants and retailers located in Downtown Downers Grove and the Butterfield Road corridor, the location would be a great draw for new employees.
Today, 90 plus employees in 10 different departments, including 10 members of the bank’s c-level and senior level management, work from the new Downers Grove location, with room for up to 130 total employees.
WareSpace, a multi-tenant warehouse solution for start-ups and small businesses opened in the Elsworth Business Park in 2022 at 5200 Thatcher Road.
This 74,000 SF modern flex-warehouse offers all of the amenities a growing would need. Offering four levels of membership, WareSpace has spaces from 250 SF up to 2,000 SF, including private office suites.
On the management side of the business, WareSpace provides on-site management including 24/7 support and security. There is a reception area for client guests, a lounge and kitchen. Clients can book conference and meeting rooms by the hour as well as private office spaces for calls.
On the warehousing side of the business, WareSpace provides multiple loading docks, drive-in doors, kitting areas for large assembly projects. Each warehouse unit provides racking and shared pallet equipment.
2023 Winners
2021 Winners
2019 Winners
2018 Winners
2017 Winners
2016 Winners
2015 Winners
2014 Winners
2013 Winners
message from the president & CEO
The DGEDC’s impact is made possible by our Investors and Board of Directors. Their leadership continues to strengthen Downers Grove’s reputation as a premier destination for corporate and division headquarters in the Chicago area.
President & CEO, The DGEDC
