Despite the number of new corporations registering to do business in Illinois, DeKalb experienced only moderate growth during the past six months.

According to Secretary of State George H. Ryan, the number of corporations registered to do business in Illinois rose by the largest percentage in 10 years during the first half of 1992.

Citing figures compiled by the Department of Business Services, Ryan said the number of companies created between January 1 and June 30 increased by 6 percent compared to the same period last year.

The last comparable increase was in 1983, when the department recorded a 5.9 percent jump.

“This upswing in the formation of new businesses sends an encouraging signal about the direction Illinois’ economy is headed,” Ryan said. “I think we’re documenting a turnaround that indicates better times are in sight.”

Ryan said the nation’s low interest rates were the spark behind the dramatic increase.

“With low interest rates, the cost of doing business is less and investing in a business becomes more attractive,” Ryan said.

While DeKalb did not experience quite as significant a jump in new corporate filings, there were still some encouraging signs during the first half of 1992.

“Six percent would be really healthy, but we’ve had a more moderate increase here in DeKalb,” noted Linda Boyer, the DeKalb director of Economic Development.

Several new businesses have come to DeKalb in the past six months. One of the biggest acquisitions to the area is the relocation of the Nestle Corporation’s distribution center from Wisconsin, Boyer said.

Boyer said the Nestle Corporation recently broke ground on a new distribution center expected to be operational by the fall of 1993.

When completed, Boyer estimated the center would bring between 35 and 45 new jobs to DeKalb.