Campus Concepts

GROWTH invites those who wish to be a part of the Shimer Square story, whether by living, starting a business, or presenting a redevelopment idea, to contact us. The campus has been strategically platted to facilitate seamless future development initiatives. Our shared goal is to create various housing options and community amenities aimed at revitalization, job creation, and enhancing the quality of life. ​
Use the above map for reference on redevelopment phases:
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Front Entry Gate
  • Enhance the legacy of Shimer Square redevelopment by meticulously preserving and restoring its iconic front entry gate.
Sawyer House
  • Becoming a Resource Center that will serve as a central hub offering essential services and resources for residents, businesses, and the community, opening in 2025. The Resource Center will be a location that will provide multiple services
    • Residents: Property management services, fair housing information, financial literacy programs, and budgeting tools.
    • Businesses: Available CDFI lending programs to support entrepreneurship and small business growth.
    • Co-Work Space: Dedicated workspace to cater to the needs of today's workforce, including residents, businesses, and families with children attending the Shimer Square Childcare Development Center.
    • HUD-approved housing counseling services: Free, HUD-approved housing counseling services provided by certified housing counselors to provide crucial assistance and guidance on housing-related matters to individuals and families.
Bennett & Hathaway Halls
  • Abatement was completed and a new roof installed in 2023, paving way for a future redevelopment opportunity.
 Metcalf Hall
  • Designated for future utilization
McKee Hall, Hostetter Hall & Dezendorf
  • Currently under construction, McKee Hall, Hostetter Hall, and Dezendorf Hall are being transformed through adaptive reuse into 51 units of workforce rental housing. These will include a diverse range of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. 
Howe Hall
  • Howe Hall has a pending letter of intent to lease the building to a third party for a restaurant/microbrewery and lodging.  
Campbell Library
  • Designated for future utilization
Gymnasium
  • Designated for future utilization
 Dearborn
  • The building is identified for the expansion of the early childhood development center to make way for additional needs strongly identified in the feasibility study.
 Tolman Hall
  • Designated for future utilization
 Maintenance Building
  • The building was  dismantled and with its bricks preserved for repurposing
 Infirmary
  • The building has been deemed beyond repair and will need to be dismantled, with plans to repurpose the bricks in a future redevelopment project.
Economic Growth Corporation (GROWTH) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community-based development organization and the developer of Shimer Square. At GROWTH, we’re driven by a commitment to honor Shimer Square’s history with the respect it deserves. Our work represents years of dedication, countless hours, and tireless efforts from a passionate, mission-driven team. The total overall investment at Shimer Square will exceed $37 million resulting in at least a 1988.24% increase in tax base in 2025: creating and supporting 260 jobs, along with 51 new housing units, marking the first new construction multifamily development in Carroll County in over 2 decades, along with creating vital childcare openings, and a Resource Center within a previously vacant, underutilized historic campus. Every step forward is a nod to the past and a bridge to the future. 
​Until further notice, due to active construction, the Shimer Square campus located at 203 Seminary Street, Mount Carroll, IL is closed to the general public.
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Equal Opportunity Provider. 
Fair Housing/ Equal Opportunity Statements:
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. Policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

Declaraciones sobre Vivienda Justa/Oportunidad Igualitaria:
Estamos comprometidos con la letra y el espíritu de la política de EE. UU. para lograr la igualdad de oportunidades de vivienda en toda la nación. Fomentamos y apoyamos un programa de publicidad y marketing afirmativo en el que no haya barreras para obtener vivienda debido a raza, color, religión, sexo, discapacidad, estado familiar u origen nacional.
Information throughout this website is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. ​