Will County Board Approves Tax Abatement Intent for “Project North Winds” Manufacturing Facility

Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026

Article Summary: The Will County Board signaled its intent to offer a 50% property tax abatement to “Project North Winds,” a proposed manufacturing facility expected to bring nearly 2,500 jobs to the Joliet and Channahon area.

Project North Winds Key Points:

• Resolution 26-060 authorizes the County Executive to negotiate a five-year, 50% ad valorem tax abatement.

• The development focuses on trailer equipment manufacturing, including dry and refrigerated trailers and truck bodies.

• The project is projected to generate 2,475 new full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs over a three-year period.

• The target sites are located at 3835 Youngs Road in Channahon and 2200 Channahon Road in Joliet.

The Will County Board on Thursday, March 19, 2026, voted 20-1 to approve a resolution of intent to negotiate a substantial property tax abatement to lure a major trailer equipment manufacturing facility to the county.

According to Resolution 26-060, “Project North Winds” has requested a five-year, 50% abatement of the county’s ad valorem property taxes as an incentive to locate its operations across two sites: 3835 Youngs Road in Channahon and 2200 Channahon Road in Joliet. In exchange, the developer expects to generate 2,475 new full-time equivalent jobs over three years.

During the March 19 meeting, Board Member Daniel J. Butler (R-Frankfort)—who cast the sole dissenting vote—questioned the process, asking if the final negotiated contract would return to the Board before final approval.

Assistant State’s Attorney Meyers confirmed that the Board will have the final say. “The final agreement to the abatement is subject to a completion of all those terms,” Meyers told the Board. “So, it does have to come back before the Board to make sure that those terms were put in place and fulfilled. You will see this a second time.”

The resolution formally directs the Will County Clerk to abate 50% of the county’s property taxes for five years once a contractual agreement is finalized. The expansion is expected to focus on the production of dry and refrigerated trailers and truck bodies.