<p><strong>Chicago, IL</strong><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Testa Produce has received a 2012 Edie Award for Economic Development in Illinois. The Edie Award, Economic Development in Illinois, honors those who "imagine, design, invest, build and bring jobs, growth and prosperity to Illinois communities. Testa was one of five companies to receive the honor. The award is given jointly by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois Development Council each year and recognizes significant economic development projects finished in the prior year throughout Illinois,<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> “The economy is recovering slowly but surely and more and more companies are out there investing in our state and creating jobs,” said Doug Whitley, president and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber is proud to be working with the IDC to recognize some of the exciting developments that were completed across the state.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> In 2011, Testa Produce expanded its operations to a restored brownfield site in the Back of the Yards Neighborhood. The 91,000 square foot distribution center is outfitted with 180 photovoltaic solar panels and a 238-foot freestanding wind turbine and generates 30 percent of the building’s energy needs, according to a press release. The On-site energy generation compensates for the equivalent of about 80 homes worth of energy annually. The company facility also has an extensive water management system that is designed to reduce the facility’s water demand by over 40%. The environmentally conscious features have earned it the honor of the first LEED Platinum Refrigerated Foodservice Facility in the United States.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
