ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — The City of Rock Island has announced that the cannabis dispensary, Nature's Treatment of Illinois, and Stern Beverage distribution center are moving to Rock Island.
On Monday, Aug. 26, the Rock Island City Council unanimously approved two letters of intent to develop agreements with A Hana Illowa LLC, a development company owned by Matt Stern and Jeff Hughbanks who will be contracting with the businesses to relocate from Milan to Rock Island.
Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms said the city is excited to get the project started.
“We are excited to welcome Nature’s Treatment cannabis dispensary and Stern Beverage to the City of Rock Island,” Thoms said. “This project means new jobs and additional sales and property tax revenue for the City. It also opens up opportunities for further development and expansion in the southwest corridor of Rock Island.”
The dispensary will be constructed on a 10-acre site at the corner of 38th Street and 60th Avenue West in southwest Rock Island. An upstairs smoking lounge is planned for the 6,500-square-foot dispensary. There are also plans for a full-service truck stop next to the dispensary.
The dispensary will bring property taxes, sales taxes and new jobs to the city. City council doesn't expect it to cost the city too much, either. The land off of Illinois Route 94 was sold to the city by RiverStone Group for $1 in October of 2022.
The City also plans to put a beverage distribution center where the former Campbell Sports Complex sits. Construction on the new Stern Beverage distribution facility will begin soon at the 43-acre site. Plans for the land include a 50,000-square-foot grow facility, with room for three more 50,000-square-foot buildings.
News 8 spoke to one of the developers, who said the staff from the dispensary and beverage center in Milan would be moved to Rock Island.
“We are confident these projects will have a positive impact on the community and are excited to see them come to fruition,” Hughbanks said.