The chill in the air was not enough to stop Gov. Rod Blagojevich from initiating the groundbreaking ceremony for the Target distribution center Monday.

Blagojevich, DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow and NIU President John Peters were on hand for the ceremonial shoveling of dirt.

Blagojevich lauded Sparrow’s efforts to bring the 1.5 million-square-foot regional distribution center to DeKalb’s Park 88 commercial park on Fairview Drive.

Five hundred jobs will be created during construction, with another 500 to staff the distribution center, Blagojevich said as construction crews worked on the Fairview Drive site behind him.

Illinois awarded Target $9.6 million in tax credits and grants to bring it to the state as part of the Opportunity Returns initiative.

“In Target’s decision to locate … in DeKalb, we’re tasting the fruits of that labor [Opportunity Returns],” said Jack Lavin, department of commerce and economic opportunity director.

DeKalb competed with sites in Indiana and Wisconsin to land the distribution center.

Lavin said it was an honor to have Minneapolis-based Target build the facility in DeKalb.

DeKalb provided $700,000 and waived fees for Target.

The polished shovels and hard hats leaned against a bulldozer until the end of the ceremony.

Sparrow, Blagojevich, Stover and other leaders took to manual labor for a moment as they ceremonially broke ground at the site.

The project is expected to be complete by summer 2006.

Kaylyn Kuzniar Photo