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“The sense of regionalism exemplified by the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership will only reinforce the area’s attractiveness to tech, logistics, innovation, and vibrant young talent in an economy as diverse as its population.”
– Site Selection Magazine

Mayor Brandon Johnson, alongside representatives from World Business Chicago and key figures from the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership, gathered at S&C Electric in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood to announce that, for the eleventh consecutive year, Chicago has secured the prestigious title of the top metro area in the United States for corporate investment, according to Site Selection magazine. This ranking underscores Chicago’s sustained appeal as a prime destination for business growth and development. Click here for a live stream of the event.

“Access to diverse talent, global connectivity and the City’s strong infrastructure are among the reasons why Chicago has been ranked a top metropolitan area for selection and corporate relocation for 11 years,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “On behalf of all the residents of the City of Chicago, I extend our gratitude to S&C Electric and the 162 other companies who made pro-Chicago decisions in 2023 – investing in our people, our neighborhoods, and our city—driving job creation and opportunities for all.”

In 2023, the Chicago metro area continued its streak by outpacing all other regions in the nation, with an influx of new corporate locations and expansions. World Business Chicago reported a total of 163 “pro-Chicagoland decisions” throughout the year. These decisions comprised 117 expansions and 46 relocations or new market entries, with notable investments targeting the South and West sides of the city, alongside significant developments across the Chicagoland region. Collectively, these initiatives resulted in the creation of over 23,000 job opportunities, further fueling the city’s economic vitality.

“We are profoundly honored to once again be acknowledged as the foremost metro for corporate investment in the United States,” said Charles E. Smith, Vice Chair, World Business Chicago. “This accomplishment reflects the unwavering dedication of our team, board of directors, the Mayor of Chicago, and our esteemed partners across the greater Chicagoland region. It underscores our shared commitment to nurturing an ecosystem where businesses flourish and communities thrive.”

Among the notable contributors to Chicago’s economic landscape in 2023 was S&C, which announced its expansion with a 275,000-square-foot facility in Palatine, reinforcing its commitment to the region’s growth. This expansion, situated approximately 25 miles from S&C’s headquarters in Rogers Park, is expected to generate 200 new jobs, contributing to the company’s significant local workforce of over 2000 team members in the Chicago area.

“Chicago has been home to S&C for over 110 years, and the talent pool here is an essential part of our growth and success, allowing us to better serve customers with solutions that advance a resilient and reliable electrical grid,” said Anders Sjoelin, S&C’s president and CEO. “Additionally, we’re pleased to add jobs, create meaningful careers, and value for our local team members, and support our communities.

Mayor Brandon Johnson, Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart, and others emphasized the significance of today’s announcement, highlighting the collective efforts of the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP), which was established in January 2023. The GCEP, comprising the City of Chicago and seven surrounding counties (Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, Kendall County, Lake County, McHenry County, and Will County), has spearheaded initiatives, and business delegations, aimed at fostering inclusive economic growth and promoting equity across diverse communities. Leveraging the region’s assets, including robust transportation infrastructure, diverse talent pools, and thriving sectors, the GCEP remains committed to driving sustainable development and maximizing opportunities for all.

“Chicago is a dynamic city for energy storage innovation, robust R&D culture, and dedicated workforce,” celebrates Desmond Wheatly, CEO of Beam. “Embracing these strengths, Beam is strategically expanding its manufacturing presence in the Chicagoland region, delivering premium-grade batteries tailored for diverse applications such as eMobility, recreation, and robotics. With Chicago’s foundation of innovation and hard work, we’re poised to drive transformative advancements in energy technology.”

The continued recognition of Chicago as the top metro for corporate investment underscores the city’s resilience, innovation, and unwavering appeal to businesses seeking a dynamic environment for growth. As the third-largest metro area and a top 20 global economy, the Chicago region boasts tremendous talent and is home to some of the nation’s top colleges and universities. Leveraging these assets, Chicago remains at the forefront of economic prosperity, offering unparalleled opportunities for businesses to thrive and succeed in a vibrant and diverse marketplace.

Greater Chicagoland Economic Development Partnership Leaders Reflect On The News

Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County President: “Companies like S&C Electric, Beam, Solo Cup, and so many others chose Chicagoland for a reason – they know here you will find a rich and diverse tapestry of strong industry sectors ranging from food manufacturing to film and television production. Site Selection’s eleventh consecutive win affirms the Chicago region’s continued promise of opportunity for the business community allowing for them to continuously grow, expand and thrive.”

Greg Bedalov, CEO and President, Choose DuPage, and Chairman of Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership: “The unprecedented recognition of the Chicago Metro region as top site in the nation for corporate relocation and site selection for an 11th consecutive year is proof positive that the city and the metro area are absolute first-in-class locations for business growth. Achieving this lofty goal once a decade is worth shouting about. Achieving it for consecutive years that span more than a decade is nearly inconceivable. Working collaboratively with all the partners in the Metro area is producing measurable economic results for Chicagoland. The Chicago metro area is not only open for business, but also is clearly the spot to place for business. Congratulations to all those involved in making this happen and thank you to Site Selection magazine for this recognition.”

Kane County Board Chairman Corinne Pierog: “The recognition from Site Selection magazine highlights the region’s allure for new businesses and investments. It also illustrates our dedication to being a responsive community that supports a diverse range of sectors, including agriculture, corporate and small business.”

Kendall County Board Chairman, Matt Kellogg: “We are proud but not at all surprised to see the Chicago area receive recognition for its continued business growth. We see real evidence of that growth in Kendall County, as businesses choose to expand or relocate in the region. We are not only business friendly but a great place for employees to relocate and join our community. The Chicago region connects to the entire globe, whether its people, information, or logistics, which makes it an excellent place to live and do business.”

Sandy Hart, Lake County Board Chair: “Lake County joins the entire Chicagoland region in proactively working together to advance sustainability and inclusive growth through strategic investments in infrastructure, talent, vibrant communities, and a diverse economy. Our central location, in the middle of the country and within arms-reach of a vast, global transportation network, makes the area a premiere location for business and people. We are proud that Chicagoland’s strength is once again being recognized by the industry-leading publication Site Selection Magazine. Being ranked the top U.S. metro for corporate relocation for the 11th year in a row comes as no surprise given all that the region has to offer to growing businesses.”

Mike Buehler, Chairman, McHenry County Board: “The Chicago Metro region’s unparalleled success in corporate relocation and site selection for over a decade is a testament to the collaborative spirit and unwavering dedication of our community. This continuous recognition by Site Selection magazine affirms that our city and metro area stand as beacons for business growth and innovation. Just as the Chicago region connects seamlessly to the global stage, so too does our commitment to fostering a diverse and vibrant ecosystem for businesses to thrive. Congratulations to all those who contribute to this remarkable achievement and thank you to Site Selection magazine for acknowledging our ongoing journey as a first-in-class destination for business.”

Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, Will County Executive: “The Chicagoland Region remains a strong economic force and globally competitive. Chicagoland communities are attracting corporations and high-paying jobs at a rapid pace thanks to our many regional assets, including diverse talent, affordability, high quality of life, and connectivity. I look forward to these assets driving continued growth into the future.”

In celebration of its first anniversary, the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership has issued an Annual Report, detailing its work and wins in the region. Read on for the introduction letter written by Greg Bedalov, Chair of the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership and Kyle Schultz, Chief Growth Officer at World Business Chicago, on behalf of GCEP’s executive leadership, and to review the full report.

One year ago, we embarked on a remarkable journey with the launch of the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP). Our mission was clear – to unite and showcase the global competitiveness of the Chicagoland region, leveraging our diverse talent, advanced infrastructure, renowned institutions, and top-ranked industries. Today, we proudly share with you the GCEP’s 2023 report, a testament to our collective efforts and an invitation for you to join us as we further define the future of the region.

In just twelve months, the GCEP has emerged as a dynamic force. Our success lies in the active collaboration among county partners across the region. From international engagements like the Collision Conference in Toronto and the Chicago Sister Cities International 50-year anniversary business delegation trip to Japan, to local initiatives such as Chicago DeepTech Week and the Chicago Venture Summit series—we have cultivated a thriving ecosystem that extends far beyond our municipal or county borders. At the time of the launch, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle remarked, “We all do better when we all do better.” This continues to represent the spirit of this collaboration. With equity and inclusivity as the cornerstone of economic development, we are contributing meaningfully to the economy throughout Chicagoland in many ways, including:

The most recent rankings in the WSJ’s “2024 Best Colleges in the US” report was based on three main factors: Student outcomes, including graduation rates, graduates’ salaries, and how those salaries offset the cost of attaining an undergraduate degree at the College; the learning environment, including how well graduates feel they were prepared for a career; and diversity of the students and faculty.

• The GCEP is growing the regional economy. In the last year, 8,576 jobs were created or retained because of GCEP, which generated $715.9 million in direct and indirect worker earnings.
  
• Sharing strategic initiatives, programming, and public funding opportunities which has led to increased trust across partners in the region, and a more collaborative approach to drive growth.
  
• Providing data driven analysis and research that will continue to define future opportunities for economic growth across the city and seven county region.

In March 2023, Site Selection Magazine named Chicagoland the Top U.S. Metro for Corporate Relocations and Expansions, consecutively for ten years, and named four GCEP counties among “America’s Best Counties.” Last year, the WBC Research Center published the first-ever Regional Asset Map—a comprehensive guide that provides vital economic data. WBC’s support of GCEP includes producing monthly economic dashboards, quarterly updates, opinion pieces, and other vital assets. Furthermore, WBC’s leadership continues to enthusiastically deliver presentations, participate in panel discussions, and advocate for the strengths of Chicagoland as a prime business destination to businesses throughout the world.

We invite you to become a champion of the greater Chicagoland region. Consider this report as not just an overview, but a call to action. Here is a digestible glimpse into the strides we’ve made, the milestones we’ve achieved, and the vision that will continue to propel us forward. As a champion, you have the power to amplify and talk about the competitive advantages of Chicagoland. Join us as we solidify Chicagoland’s reputation as a global hub for innovation and the epicenter where the future of business is incubating.

Lake Forest College was named the Best Liberal Arts College in the Midwest by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) in December 2023 and, continuing on this pathway of recognition, not surprisingly, was awarded a $1.2 million grant from the Mellon Foundation for a multi-year initiative that explores artificial intelligence (AI) through a humanities perspective just one month later.

As part of its ongoing efforts to best prepare students for careers of the future, the College applied for and received the Mellon grant to support HUMAN: Humanities Understanding of the Machine-Assisted Nexus, a project belonging to Lake Forest College’s Krebs Center for the Humanities.

There are a lot of exciting things happening at the 167-year-old college located at Sheridan Road and College Avenue in Lake Forest.

The most recent rankings in the WSJ’s “2024 Best Colleges in the US” report was based on three main factors: Student outcomes, including graduation rates, graduates’ salaries, and how those salaries offset the cost of attaining an undergraduate degree at the College; the learning environment, including how well graduates feel they were prepared for a career; and diversity of the students and faculty.

The HUMAN project will equip Lake Forest College students with the skills to ethically integrate AI into their professional lives and will emphasize questions of justice and equity in AI. Professor of English and Executive Director of the Krebs Center for the Humanities. Davis Schneiderman is leading the project, which will serve as a major initiative of the new center.

Simply put, the HUMAN project will explore what it means to be human in the age of AI. An interdisciplinary group of humanities faculty members will work in partnership with Chicago-based organizations to develop new courses, digital humanities research projects, seminars, publications, artist residencies, and other means for students to gain a broad understanding of the role that the humanities should play in public policy, cultural preservation, and community education in an AI-inflected world. Learn more about the project in this recent CBS News Chicago profile.

Lake Forest College also will use HUMAN to address the urgent need for an informed understanding of the interplay between the humanities and the fast-evolving realm of artificial intelligence to ensure ethical developments, promote equitable technological advancement, and nurture meaningful human-AI collaboration. The project will also work closely with three important community partners: Chicago History Museum, Ragdale, and Sweet Water Foundation.

“Artificial Intelligence is everywhere, and we know that tomorrow’s leaders must understand its promise and its limits. We will explore AI within the broad humanistic tradition represented by the Krebs Center,” said Schneiderman, adding that “we need to look at not only what AI can ‘do’ but what can be done to lessen bias in its deployment.”

HUMAN’s activities will support many aspects of the College’s humanities efforts, with direct connections to the entire curriculum, from a new First-Year Studies course called Digital Dawn: Humanity, Cyberspace, and the Rise of Artificial Intelligence, to a significant AI initiative using the Krebs Center’s art collection, to a series of innovative faculty-led projects.

“We have many other engagement points with the evolving role of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other associated technologies,” said Lake Forest College President Jill M. Baren, MD. “We have computer scientists partnering with our Applied Data Center to work on questions of computer vision. We have faculty development training around the use of ChatGPT in the classroom, and we are hosting a variety of experts on the topic on campus.”

As an example, last fall the College hosted internationally renowned techno-sociologist Zeynep Tufecki, who talked at length about the power of AI as well as the challenges it brings. Looking ahead, on March 26 the College will host “Responsible AI in Healthcare: Forging a Path to a More Equitable Future” presented by Dr. Heather Mattie from Harvard University.

“A liberal arts education equips the future workers of tomorrow with necessary critical thinking skills that allow them to break down highly complex, technical problems into understandable, digestible, and actionable tasks across multiple sectors of the economy and types of employment,” Baren said. “Our job is to prepare our students to think across disciplines and solve problems, especially with a humanistic lens.”

“As an alumnus of Lake Forest College, I owe much of my early professional success and personal growth to the school,” said Steve Madden, CEO of Libertyville Bank and Trust and Chair of Lake County Partners’ Board of Governors. “Lake County is known for its top-ranking schools and extraordinary talent pipeline. We are fortunate to have Lake Forest College leading the charge on high-quality education and providing the mentorship that students need to flourish.”

Lake County, a suburban region just north of Chicago, has witnessed an economic boom in recent years. The area attracted over $1.2 billion in direct capital investment in the last five years, generating more than 5,000 new jobs.

It is already home to the second-largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies’ headquarters in the Midwest, and is also known for its immense talent pipeline and thriving life science and advanced manufacturing industries.

Between 2018 and 2021, gross GDP grew 9.6% to $69.7 billion. Forecasts indicate continued growth, with GDP rising by 21.8% and employment growing by more than 10,000 new jobs by 2027.

At the helm of this economic success is the region’s economic development corporation Lake County Partners led by President and CEO Kevin Considine. In a conversation with GMI POST, Considine highlights three key strategies that helped Lake County continue its growth momentum.

Strategy 1: Focus On Skilled Workforce Development

Lake County prioritizes building a strong talent pipeline, said Considine as he explained that their efforts “start early” by aligning education and training initiatives with industry needs.

“We have got a deep set of talent here, especially in advanced manufacturing and life sciences,” Considine said. To foster this advantage, Lake County focuses on early engagement, working with middle school students to spark interest in these fields.

“We ensure students have significant exposure to what the industry is all about to develop their interests, skills, and careers systematically. Building this pipeline is the focus of our workforce development efforts,” he said.

There are nearly 14,500 Lake County high school students participating in career pathway training across the fields of manufacturing, healthcare and information technology. Manufacturing makes up the largest percentage of participants, with more than 8,000 students.

For the existing workforce, Considine emphasizes reskilling and upskilling to be more competitive.

“As the manufacturing heart of the United States, we ensure our workforce is adapting to trends like automation, AI, and sustainable practices. We help them understand the use case of advanced technology while ensuring they are environmentally conscious,” he also said.

Strategy 2: Nurture Investor Relationships

Foreign investment plays a major role in Lake County’s economy, with Japan being a particularly valued partner. With over 25 Japanese-owned businesses operating successfully in the region, Considine said he considers Japan a critical investment partner.

“As the second-largest international investor in our region, we are grateful for our relationship with Japan. We thank all the Japanese businesses who chose to call Lake County their home,” he said.

However, building an attractive business environment goes beyond financial considerations. Lake County strives to create a welcoming community for investors and their families.

“It’s never just business,” said Considine, highlighting the region’s focus on providing amenities that ensure investors “feel at home.”

In addition, Considine underscores the importance of maintaining these relationships through consistent presence.

Commenting on his latest trip to Japan last fall to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the sister city agreement between Osaka and Chicago, Considine said, “We want the Japanese community to know that Lake County is here for them and the biggest way to do so is to keep showing up at all occasions.”

Strategy 3: Develop Competitive Infrastructure

For Considine, a successful business environment demands strong infrastructure. Lake County benefits from its strategic location near O’Hare International Airport, the world’s most connected airport. It also offers convenient interstate connectivity, which ensures that “businesses can move goods and people at all times.”

Reliable and affordable utilities are another essential factor for business success. “Our business sites are built on the foundation of reliable utilities which are available at a fraction of the cost compared to other locations,” Considine said.

Amid a boom in manufacturing, Lake County has employed nearly 100,000 locally, or one for every seven jobs. To meet the demand for talent, local leaders are investing in education.

There is no better example than the College of Lake County’s (CLC) new Advanced Technology Center, which is the crown jewel of manufacturing workforce development. CLC now has over 1,000 students in manufacturing programs, and the number stands to grow in the coming years.

“We have a strong workforce ecosystem that is focused on bringing innovation and automation to Lake County’s manufacturing industry, and making sure that businesses can find the people that they need to thrive, said Considine, whose confidence in Lake County’s future is clear.

“Lake County will unquestionably be the best place for people to grow their businesses and careers in the upcoming years,” he added.

Click here to read the full post as originally published by GMI Post, and click here to connect with Lake County Partners so that we can help you relocate your business and grow in Lake County, Illinois.