THE FOLLOWING IS A CITY OF DANVILLE RELEASE FROM MAYOR RICKEY WILLIAMS, JR’s OFFICE
Danville, December 11, 2025 – As you are likely aware, the Hyster-Yale Group has made the decision to relocate its operations out of Illinois.
Over the past two years, the City of Danville has engaged extensively with the Hyster-Yale Group regarding the potential relocation and expansion of their operations within Vermilion County. As part of these discussions, the City identified several viable sites and committed to assembling a comprehensive package of incentives.
Throughout this process, we understood that Danville and Vermilion County were among several locations under consideration. In close partnership with Vermilion Advantage, Offutt Development, and the State of Illinois, the City worked diligently to enhance incentive opportunities and create the most competitive offer possible.
The final incentive package provided by the City of Danville included a sanitary sewer extension (valued at upwards of $1 million), an Enterprise Zone expansion, rezoning of the selected parcel, and a $1.5 million cash incentive for the Hyster-Yale Group’s relocation. Additionally, a number of strong complementary offers were extended by the site developer, private local foundations, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Office of the Governor.
As a collective effort, these commitments represented a robust and unified proposal that demonstrated our community’s readiness, determination, and belief in Danville’s potential for growth. Despite these extensive efforts, the Hyster-Yale Group ultimately chose to relocate to Indiana, leading to the closure of its local operations by the end of 2026.
While this was not the desired outcome, the City of Danville takes great pride in the collaboration, dedication, and shared purpose demonstrated by all partners involved. These relationships have strengthened our foundation and reaffirmed the unwavering spirit that defines our community. With City Council support, we plan to forge ahead with the previously planned sanitary sewer extension and Enterprise Zone expansion to be as prepared as possible for future development. We also now have additional funding on hand to support the expansion of existing business in town or to assist in recruiting new business to the community.
We are deeply mindful of and saddened by the potential impacts this relocation will have on employees and their families. In response, comprehensive and proactive measures are being undertaken to mitigate these effects and to build upon our community’s existing assets. Together with our partners, we remain fully committed to supporting affected families, fostering new economic opportunities, and advancing initiatives that promote long-term stability and vitality.
Though this chapter closes, the partnerships forged and strengthened through this process will continue to move Danville forward. Our community remains united, resilient, and focused on building a future filled with opportunity, progress, and shared success. Together, WE will decide what’s possible!
