Executive Committee Advances “Project Northwinds”: 2,475 Jobs and $346 Million Investment Proposed for Former Caterpillar, Lion Electric Sites

Will County Executive Committee Meeting | February 11, 2026

Article Summary: The Will County Board Executive Committee moved forward a resolution supporting a massive manufacturing project that promises nearly 2,500 permanent jobs and the revitalization of two major industrial sites in Joliet and Channahon. The project relies on a proposed property tax abatement which officials argue will still result in a net increase in tax revenue.

Project Northwinds Key Points:

• Job Creation: The project is expected to create 2,475 full-time jobs over three years.

• Capital Investment: The developer plans a capital investment of $346 million across two sites.

• Locations: The project utilizes the former Caterpillar facility (2200 Channahon Road) and the former Lion Electric facility (3835 Youngs Road).

• Incentive: The county is offering a five-year, 50% property tax abatement on the new value created.

The Will County Board Executive Committee on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, voted unanimously to advance a resolution authorizing the negotiation of a property tax abatement for “Project Northwinds,” a manufacturing development slated to bring 2,475 permanent jobs to the region.

The project involves the repurposing of two significant, currently shuttered industrial sites: the 1.38-million-square-foot former Caterpillar facility at 2200 Channahon Road in unincorporated Joliet, and the 905,517-square-foot former Lion Electric facility at 3835 Youngs Road in Joliet.

Doug Pryor, President and CEO of the Will County Center for Economic Development (CED), presented the proposal to the committee, noting that the project has been in the works for nearly three years. According to Pryor, the company—which operates in the transportation equipment manufacturing industry—plans to produce dry and refrigerated trailers, flatbeds, and truck bodies.

“This project would be the largest single job creator of my time doing this work,” Pryor told the committee. “It is a significant investment in this place.”

The developer is requesting a five-year, 50 percent abatement on the new tax increment generated by the investment. According to the Agenda Packet, the total estimated capital expenditure is $345,157,238 between the two sites. Even with the abatement in place, the CED estimates that tax revenue for the county will increase significantly due to the rise in the property’s equalized assessed value (EAV).

Pryor noted that the current annual tax bill for the Youngs Road site is approximately $150,000, which is projected to rise to over $1 million post-abatement. The Caterpillar site’s bill is expected to jump from $271,000 to roughly $1.4 million annually.

“Even during the abatement period, this would be significantly accretive to Will County in terms of increasing tax revenue due to the investment that’s made at this facility,” Pryor said.

Board Member Jackie Traynere (D-Bolingbrook) expressed support for the project, specifically praising the use of existing infrastructure.

“I really am happy that they’re going to be inhabiting two existing buildings and not turning more open land into manufacturing,” Traynere said.

Traynere questioned if the abatement was necessary, noting that usually, companies request 100 percent abatements. Pryor explained that Will County generally caps abatements at 50 percent for five years because the region remains competitive enough without offering deeper incentives.

“Our ability to say, ‘Welcome, we’re open for business, we encourage this type of work’ is important,” Pryor said.

The project is also seeking support from other taxing bodies, including Joliet Township High School District 204, Troy School District 30-C, the City of Joliet, Joliet Junior College, and Minooka High School District 111.

Board Member Denise Winfrey (D-Joliet) inquired about potential partnerships for local students.

“Are we by any chance going to have any kind of an agreement with 204 and with Minooka High School and probably JJC as well around training or internships?” Winfrey asked.

Pryor confirmed that the company is working with the state and Joliet Junior College on manufacturing training programs and anticipates internship opportunities similar to those established in previous major development deals.

The resolution (26-060) moves to the full County Board for final approval next week.