{"id":2593433,"date":"2022-03-01T12:02:01","date_gmt":"2022-03-01T12:02:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.worldbusinesschicago.com\/?p=2593433"},"modified":"2025-06-26T09:29:21","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T14:29:21","slug":"chicago-named-top-metro-for-corporate-investment-ninth-year-in-a-row-by-site-selection-magazine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbusinesschicago.com\/chicago-named-top-metro-for-corporate-investment-ninth-year-in-a-row-by-site-selection-magazine\/","title":{"rendered":"CHICAGO NAMED TOP METRO FOR CORPORATE INVESTMENT, NINTH YEAR IN A ROW BY SITE SELECTION MAGAZINE"},"content":{"rendered":"

CHICAGO NAMED TOP METRO FOR CORPORATE INVESTMENT
\n<\/strong>NINTH YEAR IN A ROW BY SITE<\/u> SELEC<\/u>TION<\/u> MAGAZINE<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cChicago shows again that it has the brains and the will to establish a vision <\/em>and the muscle to carry it out.\u201d <\/em>\u2013 Site Selection magazine<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CHICAGO\u2014March 1, 2022 Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and World Business Chicago today announced that for the ninth consecutive year, Chicago has been ranked as \u201cTop Metro\u201d in the United States for corporate investment by\u00a0Site Selection\u00a0<\/em>magazine.<\/p>\n

According to the magazine, the Chicago metro area saw an all-time record number of new and expanding corporate locations, more than any other region in the country.\u00a0In presenting the award, senior editor Gary Daughters said, \u201cChicago shows again that it has the brains and the will to establish a vision and the muscle to carry it out.\u201d<\/p>\n

“We remain the nation’s leading destination for corporate relocations and expansions,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “Earning this title for the ninth year in a row is truly a testament to our city’s incredible strengths, workforce and diverse economy. As we continue to recover from this pandemic on a social and economic level, this ongoing success in attracting businesses will bode well for Chicago’s future and enable business leaders to secure the connections, resources, and support they need to grow.”<\/p>\n

Site Selection tracked 441 qualifying business expansions and relocations in the Chicagoland MSA, accounting for more than $2.8 billion in investments, 18,368 jobs, and 59 million square feet of expansion or new space. Major corporate expansions in 2021 reflected growth in top Chicago industries\u2014from tech to consumer goods to TD&L and manufacturing. Among the companies expanding or relocating included Nature\u2019s Fynd, Teagus, John Deere, Discover Financial Services, Kimberly Clark, Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Quiet Logistics and Italco Foods.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe frequently hear from company decision-makers that Chicago\u2019s unmatched pipeline of diverse and skilled talent, central location and connectivity to the world, coupled with strong business infrastructure\u2014sets the city apart from others when it comes to relocation and expansion,\u201d said Michael Fassnacht, president & CEO, World Business Chicago, and Chief Marketing Officer, city of Chicago. \u201cToday, Chicago is also seen as a role model for equitable recovery and economic growth. Our commitment to drive sustainable, inclusive growth in order to realize healthier communities and improve the livelihoods of all Chicago residents, especially those in historically underserved neighborhoods, is significant.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chicago will continue to propel its economic growth in the years ahead through the city\u2019s Recovery Task Force (RTF) report, a strategy led by Mayor Lightfoot. The RTF is driving economic recovery and transformative, once-in-a-generation changes to eliminate the deep, glaring chasms of inequity it has brought to the surface. Among the recommendations in the report include addressing new and old traumas, expanding equitable and inclusive economic opportunity, on region strengths, capturing opportunities created by the pandemic, reintroducing Chicago\u2019s master brand, and furthering investments in key initiatives including INVEST South\/West.<\/p>\n

WHAT QUALIFYING 2021 COMPANY CEOs ARE SAYING:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cOur rapid expansion on the city\u2019s South Side and\u00a0launch across Mariano’s Markets reflects our view that Chicago is where we are best positioned for future growth and success,\u201d said Thomas Jonas, CEO, Nature\u2019s Fynd. \u201cWorld Business Chicago, the city\u2019s economic development agency, has been a strong resource for us in connecting to the city\u2019s manufacturing infrastructure and the acceleration of business and industry through technology. And the irony of\u00a0reinventing the future of food with Fy Protein\u2122 on the site of the city\u2019s old stockyards is not lost on us. We look forward to becoming a future world leader in nourishing people and nurturing the planet with our delicious and sustainable vegan foods.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAviation Institute of Maintenance has 14 campuses across the country, and we provide roughly 23 percent of all certified aircraft mechanics to airlines.\u00a0World Business Chicago supported us in finding a location, helped us consider state and local incentives, and even helped us find an audience with local political figures that are important to our mission,\u201d said Dr. Joel A. English, EVP, Aviation Institute of Maintenance. \u201cChicago almost immediately became the frontrunner in our search for our new campus in 2020, and World Business Chicago helped us solidify our new home in the Windy City.\u00a0 Our 137,000 square foot campus is busily producing certified aircraft mechanics for United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and all other airlines that serve O\u2019Hare and Midway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe decision to open our newest Customer Service Call Center in Chicago\u2019s Chatham neighborhood in 2021 stemmed from our belief in the need for corporate America to help turn the tide in vital urban communities hard-hit by longstanding bias and unfair treatment,\u201d said Roger Hochschild, Discover CEO and president. \u201cBy creating jobs with competitive pay and benefits where they are needed most, we found great talent whose performance is exceeding our expectations. In the future \u2013 from site selection to hiring practices, to community engagement and procurement \u2013 we will continue to seek inclusion and equity in our efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n

# # #<\/p>\n

ABOUT WORLD BUSINESS CHICAGO<\/u><\/p>\n

World Business Chicago is a public-private, non-profit partnership that drives inclusive economic growth and job creation, supports business, and promotes Chicago as a leading global city.<\/p>\n

ABOUT SITE SELECTION<\/u><\/p>\n

Site Selection\u00a0<\/em>magazine focuses on new corporate facility projects with significant impacts, such as headquarters, manufacturing plants, R&D, and logistics sites. In order to be considered, new facilities and expansions must meet at least one of three Site Selection criteria: (a) capital investment of at least $1 million, (b) create at least 20 new jobs, or (c) add at least 20,000 square feet of new floor area.\u00a0\u00a0Site Selection is published by Conway Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, Ga.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Media contact: Andrew Hayes, 312-823-4333<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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