A Japanese-based rail manufacturer is getting state financial help to start making railcars in northern Illinois.
Officials say Nippon Sharyo U.S.A. will receive $12 million in the form of a state business investment package to supplement $35 million in private investment.
The project will build a 400,000-square-foot railcar facility 20 miles south of Rockford, in Rochelle. It's expected to create around 250 new jobs.
Nippon Sharyo will also move its U.S. headquarters to Rochelle.
In August, Chicago's Metra commuter rail service awarded Nippon Sharyo a contract to build its next generation of railcars. Metra will buy 160 over the next five years.
