The Rock River West Casino Group is a group of Rockford residents and business owners who want to see our one shot at a casino A) downtown and B) provide our city the greatest chance to spur added economic development opportunities. We are your friends and colleagues and you can Join Us Here.

ROCK RIVER WEST CASINO ADVOCACY GROUP believes to ensure we don’t build ‘a destination island’ we need a casino partner that will package and promote our largest recent community investments in our downtown like sporting events, concerts, and shows at the BMO Bank Center, Coronado, Davis Park, and other events and venues – see the Downtown Assets Map for a list of our venues.

ROCK RIVER WEST CASINO is working to ensure that a casino operator will leverage our rich Rockford history and unique assets by incorporating them into the project’s design and downtown branding. Our communities’ marketing, and partnering with other Entertainment attractions through RAVE- the Rockford Area Venues and Entertainment Authority which has been one of the keys to our rejuvenated downtown Rockford.

ROCK RIVER WEST CASINO ADVOCACY GROUP is working to ensure that the casino becomes a larger economic opportunity to drive more entertainment events for the BMO Harris Bank Center, the Coronado Theater, and Davis Park. With existing and added restaurants, existing and added retail, and existing and new unique entertainment attractions in and around the South Main Corridor and within the River district we build our synergy and vibrancy.

THE WATERPOWER DISTRICT is home to our “Rocky Ford” where Rockford began at Founders Landing and our industrial heritage spawned. By returning to our roots to spur our continued renaissance, we pay homage to our ancestors and the great work our community did in positioning the South Main Corridor for revitalization with a ‘pride of place’. Further, the location serves as a gateway to downtown to spur new opportunities, social connection and physical activity.

THE WATERPOWER DISTRICT recognizes the importance of the riverfront and its ecosystem with a rich diversity of views, plants and aquatic animals. Therefore, the team of THE ROCKFORD AQUARIUM at THE WATERPOWER DISTRICT, has agreed to join the casino operator to revitalize the area and locate the proposed Rockford Aquarium within the Waterpower Entertainment District.

About the Rockford Aquarium – The Aquarium is spearheaded by a group of local advocates and entrepreneurs who aim to bring a unique aquatic educational and entertainment experiences to the Rock River Region. The Rockford Aquarium will include saltwater exhibits featuring charismatic animals such as sharks and other exotic species, as well as freshwater exhibits about the local Rock River. The current aquarium economic impact study shows a potential to attract (mid-range estimate) 269,000 people to the exhibits further fueling the activity in our downtown core.

The former Clock Tower site is conveniently located for other suburban uses like added big box stores, chain restaurants and hotels as needed.

We don’t know, but the Waterpower Entertainment District has ample room for the museum. Why can’t it locate there?

THE CASINO AT THE WATERPOWER ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT is ideally located in the heart of the South Main corridor, just a 5-minute drive from the US bypass 20, 10 minutes from the Chicago Rockford International Airport, and only 10 minutes from I-90 with easy on and off access thanks to the new bypass 20 entrance and exit ramps currently under construction.

Further, with the anticipated train station approved in the state capital plan, Rail Transit provides easy connections to the Greater Chicago market delivering tourist to the entry of THE WATERPOWER DISTRICT and downtown.

We believe – YES! THE WATERPOWER Entertainment DISTRICT can be a catalyst for the new Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center, the City Market, The UW Health Sports Factory, bike and walking paths, our local Museums, and more… Exactly why our community made these investments

Since 2013, The City of Rockford has invested more than $6.7 million and the state of Illinois has invested approximately $39 million in reconstruction, accessible multiuse paths and sidewalks, buried utilities, two-way conversion and decorative lighting from the U.S. 20 Bypass to downtown Rockford in order to spur a development like this. If you haven’t yet driven the corridor – you should check it out!

Since 2013, The City of Rockford has invested more than $6.7 million and the state of Illinois has invested approximately $39 million in reconstruction, accessible multiuse paths and sidewalks, buried utilities, two-way conversion and decorative lighting from the U.S. 20 Bypass to downtown Rockford in order to spur a development like this. If you haven’t yet driven the corridor – you should check it out!