Home

Building THE

VERY BEST

FOR northern

Illinois

Project First Rate (PFR) is a partnership between union contractors and union tradespeople to promote quality craftsmanship with pride, integrity and commitment to our community. Members of Project First Rate understand the importance of building the very best for Northern Illinois, giving our community safe, sustainable places in which to live, work, and play.

COMMUNITY BUILDING INITIATIVES
UNITY BUILDING
INITIATIVES

PROJECTS & SERVICE

Key construction projects and community service examples

MEMBERS

Click here view more information about our Membership

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

One of the largest post-secondary education investments in the region

OUR VALUES

Hard work, fair wages, and a commitment to our community

LABOR MANAGEMENT

Putting shared values into practice

FIND YOUR TRADE

Start your career in the building & construction trades

Our Members

Project First Rate is proud to be celebrating 30 years strong. In that time, we have built some of the region’s most noteworthy buildings and supported projects and initiatives important to our members and community.

Laborers
Local
Neca
Nibca
Union
United
FCAI
Electricians-Local-364
Ironworkers-Local-498
crca-resized-no-bottom-text
L11-
Painters-Local-607
Teamsters_Union_Logo.svg
Picra
Logo
SMACNA-of-Northern-Illinois
Plumbers-&-Pipefitters
Sheet-Metal-Local-219
Click here to view more information about our Membership

Our History

Project First Rate is proud to be celebrating 30 years strong. In that time, we have built some of the region’s most noteworthy buildings and supported projects and initiatives important to our members and community.

1982

Founded

1987

Created Scholarship Program

1990

Contributed to the 4th of July and Labor Day Parades, and the Festival of Lights

2003

Contributed to the Starlight Theater Dome Project

2006

Contributed to the Winnebago County Justice Center Project

2007

Joined the RAEDC as a
Rockforward Member

2007

Contributed to the Creation of the Center for Area Youth.

2009

Contributed to the Stanley J. Roszkowski U.S. Courthouse

2012

Contributed to the Nicholas Conservatory

2012

Advocated and Supported the RPS 205 School District Referendum

2013

Contributed to the Swedish American Cancer Center

2016

Supported the Rockford Park District Reclaiming First Initiative

2016

Supported the “Lock Box” Referendum to Protect Statewide Infrastructure Spending

2016

Supported the Rockford Housing Authority $15 Million Investments at Orton Keyes

2017

Supported MercyHealth System in Obtaining Local Contractors and Labor

2017

Contributed to RACVB Stroll on State

2018

Contributed to Fred Van Vleet Fest

2018

Contributed to Rockford Christian School’s Ruckman Music Scholarship Fund

2018

Organized 10th Annual Building Trades Expo

2019

Helped Bring Casino to Rockford

2019

Supported Successful 21st Century Infrastructure Initiative

2019

Contributed to Boylan and Rockford Lutheran Capital Campaigns

2020

Supported United Way Strong Neighborhood House in Machesney Park

2020

Supported Family Peace Center office remodeling

Featured Projects

Project First Rate is proud to be celebrating 30 years strong. In that time, we have built some of the region’s most noteworthy buildings and supported projects and initiatives important to our members and community.

Nicholas Conservatory

Nicholas Conservatory

BMO-Harris Bank Center

BMO-Harris Bank Center

UW Health Sports Factory

UW Health Sports Factory

​​​

Rock Valley College

Rock Valley College

United Way SNHs

United Way SNHs

Family Peace Center

Family Peace Center

Click here to view our entire Project Portfolio

Contact Us