With a population of 1.1 million within a 50-mile radius, Rockford is strategically positioned as a mid-point between Chicago, Moline, Madison, and Milwaukee.

The MetroCentre is currently implementing its $3.8 million capital improvement plan. Capital improvement projects that have been completed include the installation of a new basketball floor in 2002; the replacement of the 8,486 permanent seats in the arena in 2003; the replacement of folding chairs for the arena floor, completed in April 2004; additional Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant seating, increasing the previous number of 16 accessible seats to a total of 48; and the replacement and upgrade of lighting inside the arena, completed December 2004.

The MetroCentre's concrete restoration project was completed in October 2004. The project cost was just over $1 million, and the funding was received as part of the $3.8 million allocation by the Illinois General Assembly for capital improvement projects at the MetroCentre.

In October 2004, Centerplate, the MetroCentre's new concessionaire, announced it would invest $500,000 to update existing concession stands and create new menu concepts. It is the largest private cash investment in the building since it was completed in 1981. Concession improvements were completed in 2005.