Forward Janesville - TheReport - First Quarter 2018

8 • W W W . F O R W A R D J A N E S V I L L E . C O M Why we’re feeling great in the 608! What a remarkable decade is has been. In the last ten years, our region has undergone some dramatic transitions: the sudden loss of one of Rock County’s largest employers in 2008, years in the national spotlight courtesy of a famous local politician, and, most recently, a recent influx of new and desirable employers and a downtown on the cusp of reinvention. The changes have been devastating, challenging and reinvigorating. But one thing is for certain, this a community that doesn’t quit. Today, after much hard work by so many community partners, Janesville and the surrounding region are truly on the upswing, riding a wave that is sure to surprise in the coming years as we redefine who we are and what we can offer. So as Forward Janesville kicks off 100 years, here are 100 reasons to feel great about the 608. Cheers to the new year! 1. Area businesses are growing. The Janesville/Beloit market added the 25th most jobs of any city in the nation in 2017. 2. A host of remarkable companies have made Janesville their headquarters , including Impact Confections, Prent Corporation, SSI Technologies, and J.P. Cullen, to name just a handful. 3. New Janesville-based companies are working hard to change the world. Case in point: Shine Medical, which is using isotopes to basically turns bombs into medicine. 4. We are Janesville proud. An unflagging sense of civic pride and spirit has grown over the last decade, as residents and local leaders prove over and over again that nothing can stop forward progress. 5. A responsive and effective city government has translated into solid growth and visionary plans for the future , including the exciting ARISE downtown development plan. Visit growjanesville.com for the latest. 6. Janesville has an envied location, with easy access to Madison, Milwaukee and Chicago, and connected to the world by four major airports, all within 90 minutes of Janesville. 7. Get ready for your day-trips or commute to be even smoother: the soon-to-be six lane Interstate 39/90 is sure to ease traffic and reduce travel times. 8. Get educated. Janesville has two high schools, three area colleges, 12 elementary schools, ten parochial schools, four charter schools, 50 youth sports teams and 50 school service clubs— plus five national blue ribbon recognized schools . 9. The public-private partnership known as ARISEnow just announced over $3 million in private funding to support key downtown development projects . 10. Don’t wait to expand your world. Rock County offers three world-class higher education options to meet your needs: UW-Rock County, Blackhawk Technical College, and UW- Whitewater. 11. Ease that growling stomach at one of many diverse dining options, including cutting- edge newcomers like Lark and well-know staples like O'Riley & Conway's Irish Pub. 12. Janesville’s “rush-hour” is hardly a rush at all. It takes all of 17 minutes to get entirely across the city during peak hours . A boon for all, since research confirms commute times are a fairly significant factor when measuring overall happiness. 13. Founded in 1836, Janesville has a rich historical tradition, and the revitalized Rock County Historical Society has done an impressive job sharing this with the community and visitors. By Laura Barten and the Forward Janesville Staff