Although not a drop of jet fuel will reach Sycamore, the city will now receive big profits from its sale.

American Aviation Supply, LLC, a fuel supplier for American Airlines, will bring the city at least $360,000 in sales tax revenue per year. That figure has the potential to increase by 5 percent each year, depending on the business’ financial well-being.

One way the money will be spent is on sidewalks. It is an expensive project at about $5.50 per square foot, and as the aldermen walked their wards to inspect the walks, it was realized full repair will not happen in a year, Sycamore Mayor John Swedberg said.

In addition, Harvester Square, a dilapidated building located on South Avenue, will accept its fate, a long-awaited ending allowed by this extra revenue, Swedberg said.

The building has vines growing over it and climbing through its broken windows, and for some time it has been used only for storage. Swedberg said he hopes to divert some of the money gained from American Aviation toward the building’s demolition.

“It’s a win, win, win situation,” he said.

The city will realize major monetary gains, yet the business will have no other impact on the city, Swedberg said.

The business will likely be operational by March 1, City Manager Bill Nicklas said. It will be located in the mezzanine area of the Sycamore Center, 308 W. State St., and pay a $750 rent per month.

That figure may not seem like much – less than what many NIU students pay for their apartments, but the mayor and city manager said it is a fair figure.

The city did a slight renovation of its office space, an area that used to be a beauty shop, and it is just big enough for the two people who will occupy the office.

The 20-year contract was possible only because city officials were willing abate the taxes required from the business. Had they kept the rate at its standard level, American Aviation would have simply located elsewhere, Swedberg said.