Construction has commenced on Hillwood’s 334,800-sq-ft logistics facility one mile from Chicago Rockford International Airport — the first phase of Rockford Logistics Park 20. The airport’s cargo volume hit 3.4 billion pounds in 2025, up 9.25% year-on-year, marking its second-busiest year after 2022. DSV recently launched a new Luxembourg–Rockford freighter route. Executives from Hillwood and RFD cite Rockford’s cargo-dedicated infrastructure, cost advantages, and connectivity as key drivers. A parallel cargo facility is also underway at Harrisburg International Airport.
According to www.aircargonews.net, construction has begun on a new 334,800 sq ft logistics facility adjacent to Chicago Rockford International Airport — the first phase of the Rockford Logistics Park 20.
Strategic location near cargo-centric airport
The facility sits just one mile from Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD), a rapidly expanding air cargo hub positioned as an alternative to Chicago O’Hare. Developed by Hillwood, the project is designed to support air cargo handling, distribution, light manufacturing, and assembly operations — with flexible configurations for either single-tenant or multi-tenant occupancy.
The airport’s cargo volumes rose 9.25% year-on-year in 2025, reaching 3.4 billion pounds. According to RFD, that made 2025 its second-busiest year on record — surpassed only by the pandemic-driven peak of 2022. In late June 2026, freight forwarder DSV launched a new freighter operation at RFD, connecting Luxembourg to Rockford.
Leadership perspectives on regional growth
Zack Oakley, executive director of Chicago Rockford International Airport, emphasized the synergy between infrastructure expansion and cargo demand:
“Developments like this complement the airport’s cargo operations by providing additional capacity for businesses looking to take advantage of Rockford’s dedicated cargo infrastructure and connectivity.” — Zack Oakley, executive director, Chicago Rockford International Airport
Don Schoenheider, executive vice president and Midwest Market Leader at Hillwood, framed the investment as foundational:
“Rockford offers the accessibility and operating environment that logistics users are looking for, while its dedicated approach to cargo operations and efficient access to major markets made it a natural location for our first development in the Rockford/Winnebago County area. We see this as the beginning of a long-term investment in Rockford, and we look forward to expanding this partnership in the future.” — Don Schoenheider, executive vice president and Midwest Market Leader, Hillwood
Broader U.S. cargo infrastructure momentum
This project is part of a wider trend of logistics infrastructure investment near U.S. airports. On the same day — 8 July 2026 — Realterm and the Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (SARAA) announced plans to develop a new cargo facility at Harrisburg International Airport in Pennsylvania. Both initiatives reflect growing demand for near-airport warehousing driven by e-commerce acceleration, supply chain diversification, and carrier network shifts away from congested hubs.
Chicago Rockford International Airport’s cargo-focused strategy includes dedicated ramp space, streamlined customs processing, and direct access to I-90 and I-39 — enabling same-day trucking to Chicago, Milwaukee, and Indianapolis. The 334,800 sq ft facility will be built to accommodate Class A industrial specifications, including 32-foot clear heights, ESFR fire suppression, and ample dock and trailer parking.
Industry analysts note that Rockford’s average airfreight landing fees remain 18–22% lower than O’Hare’s, while its cargo throughput grew at a compound annual growth rate of 12.7% between 2021 and 2025. That performance has attracted carriers including Atlas Air, Kalitta Air, and Amerijet — all of which operate scheduled or charter freighter services into RFD.
Source: Air Cargo News
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
