MOLINE, Ill. — A Moline business as old as the city itself is getting ready for a big expansion.
Parr Instrument Company builds specialized laboratory equipment. It was originally founded in 1899 by University of Illinois professor Samuel Wilson Parr.
Located at 211 53rd St. just nearby the riverfront, the company's products are sold to researchers across the world, but president and CEO Jim Nelson says it's time to grow.
"We're making bigger and bigger reactor systems — much bigger than we were even five years ago," Nelson said. "That product line has grown, and is requiring us to have a have a bigger building to operate in."
The company will soon begin construction on a new facility attached to their current building, more than doubling their current space. The total investment is estimated at $22.6 million, with the City of Moline offering $6.6 million in property tax rebates over the next several decades, since the project is located in the Eastgate TIF district which was established in 2023.
"Certainly, as business continues to grow, we'll continue to add people," Nelson said. "I think today we're right around 94 employees, and I think we started the year off around 89."
With the expansion, the City is investing its own money to help improve flood mitigation, helping to protect not just the business, but also homes in the area.
"$2 million is what we are looking at in terms of storm water improvements, which would include the addition of a much larger pumping station to handle the larger flows," city administrator Bob Vitas said.
"Our people are our most valuable asset for Parr — our people make the difference and to move anywhere else just didn't really make sense to us," Nelson said. "We wanted to keep Moline our home, and we're thankful we're able to make that happen."
The company plans on breaking ground for the expansion on April 12.