Logan Agencies Work to Keep Industry

This map shows factory locations (blue dots) and industrial corridors (lavender areas). For a more detailed map, click here.

Photo: Courtesy Greater Northwest Chicago Development Corporation

For decades, Bearse Manufacturing was surrounded by similarly industrial neighbors. The 70-employee company, located at 3815 W. Cortland Ave., now stands nearly alone amidst two new schools, a YMCA and condo developments that are sprouting like kudzu.

"Twenty, 25, 30 years ago, there used to be a lot more companies around us," says co-owner Tom Auer. "We're surrounded on two sides by new schools now. Residential is kind of taking over. Our biggest issue is that we're being supplied by vendors who are driving 18-wheeled trucks into our building. At 8:30 and 2:30, there's a lot of kids and traffic. Trucks and that situation don't mix very well."

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