Batavia’s growth engine: Innovation and development lead the way
With its prime location close to the Interstate 88 corridor and the DuPage Airport, the city of Batavia is an attractive option for development and redevelopment whether it be industrial, commercial or retail.
A community-minded city of just under 30,000 residents, Batavia’s taxing bodies and community partners such as the Batavia Chamber of Commerce and Batavia MainStreet are committed to creating an environment where businesses not only are welcomed but supported.
The Batavia Chamber of Commerce takes great pride in being a connector between the business community, residents, nonprofits and the various area taxing bodies, working to make our community the best it can be.
We have representatives across the community on our board to allow productive discussions and collaboration. Representatives from Waubonsee Community College, Batavia Public Schools, Batavia Public Library, city of Batavia, Batavia Park District, Fermilab, small business, and large business help keep us focused with a finger on the pulse of the town. And we are happy to report that economic development in Batavia is strong.
“Batavia is an incredible community where businesses can truly thrive,” said Margaret Perreault, president and CEO of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce. “We are fortunate to have a wealth of support services and a strong network of partners dedicated to helping businesses succeed. From our strategic location to our collaborative spirit, Batavia is the perfect place to open and grow your business. We at the chamber are proud to be a part of this vibrant community and are committed to supporting our local businesses every step of the way.”
According to Anthony Isom Jr., Batavia economic development manager, recent developments have been impactful to the local economy.
“The city of Batavia has truly seen significant development whether in our Randall Road commercial corridor, our downtown, or our industrial parks,” Isom said. “There are even more exciting projects on the horizon.”
The recently opened Emagine Theatre on Randall Road, west of downtown Batavia, boasts the largest Super EMX screen in the state, as well as 12 theaters, two private screening rooms and an entertainment game room.
A host of restaurants and retail businesses also have recently opened in this corridor, including Harbor Freight Tools, HobbyTown, Belle Tire, Culver’s, Moka Coffee, Chipotle, Taco Dale, Acquaviva, Starbucks and soon, Dave’s Hot Chicken.
A proposed redevelopment of the former Sam’s Club on Randall Road will bring a car dealership to Batavia. The project consists of the conversion of a 128,000-square-foot vacant building into a high-end Tesla electric car dealership and a self-storage facility.
Moving to the east side of Batavia, a large logistics building is being completed at the southwest corner of Kirk Road and Fabyan Parkway, less than five miles from I-88. Zoned industrial, the finished cross-dock facility will be 543,603 square feet and is still available for lease or sale.
Batavia’s downtown continues to evolve, with new restaurants and retail.
The Batavia Boardwalk Shops, which debuted in 2020, continue to be a draw for shoppers and businesses alike. The 10 tiny shops serve as incubators for entrepreneurs to “try out” a business concept before moving to a brick-and-mortar shop. The project is managed by Batavia MainStreet in collaboration with the city. Of the first eight owners, three still maintain a storefront location in Batavia.
The shops are a resounding success for downtown Batavia, said Beth Walker, executive director of Batavia MainStreet.
“The Boardwalk Shops have been an amazing program for downtown Batavia,” Walker said. “Not only is it an incubator that has filled eight store fronts but has become a destination for the surrounding communities. The opening two weekends of the fifth season (2024) brought in people from 95 unique ZIP codes.”
East side and west side residential developments are underway as well. Prairie Commons townhouses are nearing completion on the east side of town. On the west side, Pulte is building Winding Creek of Batavia, with 163 single-family home lots. Another Pulte Homes development is proposed for an area between the Randall Road commercial corridor and downtown. The mixture of townhouses and single-family residences will result in about 160 homes.
This is just a smattering of the strong development in Batavia. Whether you're looking to open a new business or relocate an existing one, Batavia offers a wealth of opportunities and resources to support your endeavors. Come experience the charm and potential of our community firsthand.
We invite you to contact the Batavia Chamber of Commerce for more information about opening a business in Batavia or moving here. We are happy to help. We are located at 106 W. Wilson St., in downtown Batavia or contact the Batavia Chamber of Commerce at (630) 879-7134 or info@bataviachamber.org. You can also text (478) 242-6237.
• Shirley Mott is the communications and membership coordinator for the Batavia Chamber of Commerce.