NICOR GAS CELEBRATES OPENING OF ITS GLENWOOD
FACILITY
BY TIA CAROL JONES
Nicor Gas hosted a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of its Glenwood facility on Wednesday, Oct. 26th. The 42,000 square foot building is located at 19150 Chicago Heights-Glenwood Road.
It is one of the largest and busiest areas among the natural gas distribution company. The previous Nicor Gas Glenwood Facility, located at 19199 Glenwood Chicago Heights Road, was built in 1960 and the new facility
was completed in January 2020.
Nicor Gas has provided natural gas services to Illinois since 1858. There are more than 2,200 energy professionals and the company provides natural gas to almost 2.3 million customers.
Dr. Terri Winfree, President of the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce, noted Nicor Gas’ investment in the Glenwood and Southland community. Nicor Gas has been a longstanding member of the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce, the employees have volunteered their time and the company has given charitably to causes throughout the community. It also is a part of the pipeline replacement initiative, which replaced aging natural gas pipelines.
“Investing in Illinois, which has brought many jobs into this area and enhances Nicor’s ability to provide homes and businesses with the reliable energy we need,” she said. “These continued investments in the community are part of what Nicor does to help sustain the community.”
Pat Whiteside, Senior Vice President of Operations for Nicor Gas, talked about how delivering safe, reliable, and efficient natural gas is the company’s highest priority. Also it is highly important that the team reflects the community it serves.
“When you look at our Glenwood team, when you look at our Bellwood team, when you look at our Rockford team … our teammates that come to work every day live in those communities,” he said. “This new facility is not only an investment in our workforce, to ensure a safe and reliable delivery of natural gas services, for today, and also into the future.”
Whiteside added that when a facility is being conceived, the care is taken to ensure the building will last well into the future. He said that natural gas is part of Illinois’ clean energy future.
“We will be here to help our community, help our state, help the city of Glenwood move into the future,” he said.
Whiteside reiterated that Nicor Gas invests in the communities it serves by providing jobs and supporting new businesses, and partnering with organizations that support energy assistance, community enrichment and environmental stewardship, as well as diversity and education.
“This facility is as much about our employees as it is about the communities we support and the customers we serve, the businesses we partner with and the expansion of jobs, through those new employees who come through these doors and ultimately become part of the Nicor Gas family,” he said.
Nicor Gas has hired more than 180 new employees during the last two years. Whiteside pointed to those numbers as a sign that business is booming for Nicor Gas.
Brian Mitchell, Village Manager of Glenwood, talked about the importance of business retention. He thanked Nicor Gas for moving within Glenwood.
“Spend your money where you want to see your growth. For us, it is right here in the Village of Glenwood. We want to continue to be a partner with Nicor Gas,” he said.
