The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

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July 18, 2008

Greenhouse company moves to Tilton

MIKE HELENTHAL

TILTON — There’s an unusual twist in an arrangement that brings Georgetown-based International Greenhouse to Tilton: It was done without the village offering local incentives.

The greenhouse wholesaler announced its purchase of the former Earl Gaudio and Son Budweiser distributorship building at Keegan Street and Georgetown Road Thursday through the auspices of the one-year-old Tilton Business Association.

“They didn’t even ask us for anything,” said TBA Chairman and Tilton Trustee Todd Schultz. “These days, that’s pretty unusual.”

Schultz said village officials first heard of the possible deal about two months ago, right about the same time the Gaudio operation moved to a new, larger warehouse and headquarters just north of the old site on the other side of Georgetown Road.

“They’ve let us know what was going on and we’ve offered our help with anything they need,” he said.

Schultz said the move not only fills a major vacant facility quickly, but will add 20 jobs to the Tilton employment base. He said the deal was brokered by Security Ventures.

“I haven’t seen the payroll expectations, but they’re not just minimum-wage jobs,” he said.

According to the trustee, the Gaudio building drew many suitors since it was announced it would go on the market last year. Well-kept and fully operational until the day the company moved out this summer, he said he was not surprised at the interest.

“It’s not a building that was going to sit for very long,” he said.

David George, president of International Greenhouse, 806 N. Main St., said in a press release the Gaudio site would allow his worldwide business to expand.

“We initially planned to expand our existing facilities in Georgetown, but the former Gaudio building was such a perfect fit for our business there was no way we could pass it up,” he said. “This facility will allow us to consolidate all our operations in one location and give us the ability to handle new product lines.”

The company, started in 1993, builds greenhouses and sells all types of greenhouse products from its Web site http://www.greenousemegastore.com.

It also owns and operates a retail florist and greenhouse growing operation at 804 N. Main St. The press release did not specifically refer to the retail operation and a phone call requesting an interview from George was not returned by press time.

Schultz said he hopes it’s the first in a long string of successes for the village as officials continue to talk to business owners looking for commercial property in Tilton.

“The biggest boost for us was when Gaudio decided to stay in town and build that big, beautiful building,” he said. “I think we have a couple of other businesses that are really close.”

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