Chicago Heights Helps Zarlengo’s Open New Manufacturing Plant

(Chicago Heights, IL) –A long-time Chicago Heights-basedItalian ice and gelato company

is relaunching its business in the city with a new building thanks to a tax incentive program facilitated by the Chicago Heights Economic Development Corporation.

Zarlengo’s Italian Ice, Inc., a family-owned and operated business located in Chicago Heights for 26-years, is expected to open its new 6,000 square foot facility at 257 West Joe Orr Road during the summer of 2020 with the help of a property tax incentive program authorized by Cook County. That tax credit may shave as much as 50% off the firm’s tax bill over the next eight-years, according Chicago Heights Mayor David Gonzalez.

“For 26-years, Zarlengo’s has treated Chicago Heights residents to its hand-dipped in dark chocolate ice cream “Zar bars” and 50 different flavors of Italian ice,” said Gonzalez. “With its new, expanded facility, Zarlengo’s will be better able to distribute its Italian ice, gelato, and ice cream novelties throughout the United States, and I am proud that Chicago Heights Economic Development Corporation helped make the expansion possible.”

Zarlengo’s, which is investing more than $1 million in its new building, accessed a Class 8 real estate tax incentive program, established by Cook County’s “Real Property Assessment Classification Ordinance,” that is designed to encourage industrial and commercial development in areas of the County which are experiencing economic stagnation. Bloom township, where the rehabbed property is relocated, is authorized to participate in the county’s incentive program.

New job creation.

Zarlengo’s investment has sparked a mini-jobs boom, creating more than 30 construction jobs for the project. Moreover, in addition, to its current 7-full-time and 25-part-time employees, Zarlengo’s will add an estimated 7-10 full-time and 6-10 part-time jobs at the Joe Orr Road location.

“Today, our ice cream and Italian ices can be found in restaurants, country clubs, specialty stores, hospitals, grade schools, Sysco Chicago, tradeshows throughout the Chicago region, and at U.S. Cellular Field during every White Sox home game,” said Zarlengo’s president Thomas Zarlengo. “With our new facility, we will be able to better distribute our products throughout the country, and we are deeply grateful to the Chicago Heights Economic Development Corporation for helping us with the property tax incentive program and to Mayor Gonzalez for his support for local businesses in Chicago Heights.”

Some of Zarlengo’s business already extends beyond Chicago.

“Sysco Wisconsin and every Andy's Frozen Custard in the U.S. carries Zarlengo's products,” said Zarlengo. “We also co-pack specialty products for an organic company whose products are found throughout our great country."

davidormsby@davidormsby.com