Many cities compete with their neighbors to attract business and development. Some become fierce rivals in what is often perceived to be a zero-sum game. The leaders of two northern Illinois cities across the Rock River from each other, however, say that’s changing -- at least between their towns. The mayors of Sterling and Rock Falls feel cooperation and encouragement is the key to both their futures
Skip Lee knows something about the historical rivalry between Sterling and Rock Falls. He taught at Rock Falls High School for close to four decades, and lived in Sterling for nearly as long. He says, with the exception perhaps of high school sports, it’s different from what it was.
“In my opinion we have moved great miles beyond any idea of the competition. I mean, that doesn’t mean we agree. I mean, it’s like a family. You know, every now and then you have differences of agreement, but we’re generally on the same page.”
Rock Falls mayor Bill Wescott agrees. He says at one time, the cities acted as if they were in a vacuum and barely communicated with each other. He says times have changed, and that’s a good thing. He cites the creation two years ago of the Twin City Fire department, which put both cities’ fire departments under one command.
“It saved both cities money, but the more important thing is, if there’s a fire in Rock Falls or Sterling, automatically both departments go. And to the taxpayers and the people in need, that’s a tremendous upgrade of the services [from] before,” he says.
Wescott says the two cities are now working together on consolidating public contact services, including police and fire dispatch. He says, like the fire department, the result will be gain in service for all.
Wescott says that cooperative spirit should carry over into business development.
“You have to think more regionally. Sterling gets something, we’re going to have people from Rock Falls working there; if we get something, [and] so on. If Dixon gets something, we’re going to have people that work there. So we all benefit by that willingness to be there to support each other,” he says.
Lee concurs. He says Rock Falls’ relative proximity to the interstate makes its success vital to Sterling’s.
“I’ve said many times that one of the most important streets to Sterling is First Avenue, Rock Falls. Because if that doesn’t develop, people aren’t going to bother to come through Rock Falls and come across the bridge to Sterling,” Lee says.
Nowhere is that more apparent than on the two cities’ riverfronts. Both have spent years working to take over and clean up old industrial sites. Plans have been made, and now a hotel is being built on the Rock Falls side. It’s slated to open in the spring. Wescott is looking forward to it, and not just for his side of the river.
“We hope to have the park that’s located right next to it bring festivals, bring concerts. Well, am I naïve to believe enough that people aren’t going to say, hey what’s right across the bridge? Let’s go over and see Sterling, Illinois, while we’re here. And, oh my gosh, look at all the lights over there. They have a river front as well,” Wescott says.
Lee, too, thinks anything that brings people down to the Rock River will be good for his city. He thinks others are beginning to see that too.
“Both sides of the river are coming together. It’s one riverfront. To me, it’s all one big blank canvas,” he says.
Lee says businesses will fill in that picture on whichever side of the river is appropriate. Wescott says that development, on both sides of the river, and encouraged and promoted by each, will complete the picture for both Sterling and Rock Falls - a picture of success for all.
