The Intersection of America ILLINOIS:

Welcome to the intersection of America— and the world. Where talent, innovation, transportation and infrastructure converge and where many of the nation’s top businesses thrive. .........................................................................................

Strategically located at the heart of the country, Illinois is the crossroads of commerce that puts businesses, people and goods within a four-hour flight of the entire North American market—not to mention the home to the world’s most connected airport.

On top of that, Illinois companies benefit from a world-class transportation and logistics network, reliable, low-cost energy, abundant water and natural resources and a highly educated workforce supported by more than 247 higher education institutions.

Learn why 35 Fortune 500 companies and more than 2,000 international industry leaders call Illinois home.

Illinois’ economic strength begins with its ecosystem of like-minded pioneers and trailblazers. The 18th largest economy in the world, Illinois has grown and attracted some of the most innovative and iconic companies on the planet including Abbott, ADM, Allstate, Baxter, Motorola Solutions, Exelon, John Deere, Kraft Heinz, McDonalds, Mondelez, State Farm, United, Walgreens and more.

Among the state’s greatest assets are its talent pool of nearly 6.4 million people—about a third of whom hold a bachelor’s degree or higher—and one of the most connected transportation and logistics networks in the country. The state is also home to a supportive business environment that welcomes and fosters growth. llinois offers unparalleled access to global markets. A hub for transportation, Illinois is home to five international airports, seven Class I railroads, the third largest interstate highway system in the country and the third largest inland port in the world.

Illinois businesses span existing and emerging industries and create good-paying jobs for its residents.

The state’s central location puts businesses, people and goods within a four-hour flight of the entire North American market—not to mention non-stop service to more than 60 international destinations. Chicago’s O’Hare is ranked the WORLD’s most connected airport.

In addition, the state offers businesses top-notch digital infrastructure, reliable, low-cost energy and abundant water and natural resources.

Illinois is home to a network of global powerhouse companies—ready customers, suppliers and collaborators—across industries. The state is home to more than 1,900 major corporate headquarters and over 2,000 foreign businesses.

Illinois is committed to breaking down barriers for businesses looking to locate in the U.S. Home to more than 2,000 international companies, Illinois has proven to be a natural choice for global employers expanding in the North American market. With more than 80 consulates/consuls general, 90 sister cities, eight foreign trade zones and five international airports, Illinois allows international companies to reach their global customers, while also feeling at home.

For more information, please contact Intersect Illinois at 312-667-6010 or visit their website at www.intersectillinois.org .

ILLINOIS: VANDALIA - Positioned for Growth

Vandalia, Illinois (pop. 7,460) is centrally located in Southern Illinois on Interstate 70, Exits 61 & 63, between St. Louis, MO and Terre Haute, IN. Rich in history, Vandalia was the 2nd State Capitol of Illinois, serving as capitol from 1819-1839. It is where Abraham Lincoln begain his political and legal career. The building he last served in, the Vandalia Statehouse, remains standing today in Historic Downtown Vandalia, averaging 20,000 visitors a year. Vandalia is a community with a hometown feel, a great school system with a Vocational Education center, as well as a community college, Kaskaskia College extension center to serve the residents in their secondary education pursuits. Many of the businesses in Vandalia have been ran by people born and raised here and of recent, younger residents and people within Fayette County (pop. 21,492) are interested in starting their business ventures because of the local support received and because of Vandalia’s location, serving as county seat.

Workforce Development is one of the highest priorities for the City of Vandalia, Illinois. Many of their established manufacturers, distribution centers, small businesses and service industries are wanting to grow and expand. To meet this challenge, in collaboration with Kaskaskia College, the City has brought industries together to understand their needs and identify the skills required of an expanded workforce and will begin marketing these opportunities to job seekers.

The OKAW Vocational Center, located in Vandalia, works with 12 area high schools, located in four counties to train students in a variety of trades, such as: Auto Body, Auto Mechanics, Building Trades, Computer Aided Drafting (CAD), Computer Technology and Networking, Culinary Arts & Food Service, Foundations of Education, Graphic Design/Commercial Arts, Health Occupations, Office Technology/Business Entrepreneur, Power Mechanics/Power Sports, Welding/Metal Fabrication. The program is venturing towards grants to build a new 40,000 sf facility in the Vandali Industrial Park. With Kaskaskia College Vandalia campus only .8 miles away, it is prime for working together to get people to work!

These collaborations position Vandalia, Illinois for growth, not only for those who currently reside and have businesses here, but also for those who are looking for an opportunity to relocate or expand. They have a wide variety of available buildings and sites for both lease and for sale with City incentives including TIF, Opporunity Zone and Enterprise Zone. Specifically, the City of Vandalia, Illinois has 120 acres available for development within their Industrial Park, located not even a .5 mile from Interstate 70.

If you are interested in learning more about the opportunities that exist and the success that you can realize in Vandalia, Illinois, reach out to LaTisha Paslay, City Administrator and Interim Economic Development DIrtector at vandaliaed@vandaliaillinois.com.

ILLINOIS: The Chicago Region’s New Competitive Advantage is Collaboration

Six months after its January 2023 launch, the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP) is making significant strides in driving economic development in the Chicago region. Comprised of seven counties in northeastern Illinois (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, Will), along with the City of Chicago, led by the city’s economic development agency, World Business Chicago, the GCEP aims to foster collaboration and create a thriving economic ecosystem.

One notable achievement of the GCEP occurred when S&C Electric, Chicago's largest homegrown manufacturer, contemplated relocating over 300 jobs and its headquarters out of state. With the intervention of the GCEP, S&C Electric ultimately decided to stay in the region, safeguarding valuable jobs and contributing to future growth in Palatine, located in suburban Cook County.

The efforts of the GCEP counties have also received recognition on a national scale. "Site Selection Magazine" ranked four GCEP counties, including Cook, DuPage, Kane, and Will, among the Top 20 'Best Counties in the Nation.' Cook County secured an impressive second place, with DuPage County following closely at number nine. Kane and Will counties also secured respectable positions, further solidifying the Chicago region's appeal as a destination for corporate relocation and investment.

In a recent pitch to a large out-of-state manufacturer, the GCEP demonstrated its ability to connect businesses with the region's skilled workforce. By bringing together representatives from City Colleges of Chicago's schools, as well as esteemed institutions like College of DuPage, Elgin Community College, Harper College, Joliet

Junior College, Lake County Community College, and Waubonsee Community College, the GCEP showcased its commitment to meeting the workforce needs of businesses. This collaborative effort underscored the partnership's strength and unity in driving economic growth through a skilled and diverse talent pool.

The Chicago region has proven to be a critical industrial market and international trade hub for the Midwest. With a robust industrial real estate sector experiencing historic low vacancies, growing rents, and strong leasing demand, the region's resilience is evident. According to Colliers International, the Chicago region ranks among the nation's top industrial markets, second only to the Southern California region. Its strategic advantages, including intermodal railway transportation, air freight capabilities at O'Hare airport, and access to waterborne freight, contribute to its attractiveness to a range of industries.

The economic landscape of the Chicago region is equally impressive. With nearly 4.9 million individuals in its workforce and the second highest number of Fortune 500 companies in the United States, the region's economic diversity sets it apart. No single industry dominates more than 13 percent of the total economy, ensuring a balanced and resilient business ecosystem. Additionally, the region's GDP would rank as the 20th largest economy globally, highlighting its significant impact.

The population growth in the GCEP counties has been remarkable, with rural communities like Kendall County experiencing a staggering 142 percent increase. Moreover, the region boasts a comprehensive infrastructure that supports both legacy and emerging industries. Renowned institutions such as Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab, along with prestigious universities like the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois networks, contribute to the region's intellectual firepower and innovation.

The collaborative efforts of the GCEP have yielded impressive results, with numerous joint business development projects and ‘pro-Chicagoland decisions’ already accomplished. The partnership's commitment to inclusivity and equity ensures that economic growth benefits all residents, addressing disparities in wealth, employment, and access to opportunity. This dedication to an inclusive future supports generational change and empowers marginalized communities to thrive.

The collaborative efforts across county lines and the utilization of diverse economic assets position the greater Chicagoland region for sustained growth and prosperity. The GCEP invites interested stakeholders to visit World Business Chicago’s website to see the Chicago region’s *new* Economic Asset Map, a joint product of the GCEP and World Business Chicago Research Center, which provides valuable insights into the region's potential and opportunities for future development.

Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership

Discover the competitive advantage of the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership, led by World Business Chicago. With a wealth of economic assets strategically distributed across prestigious institutions such as Argonne National Laboratory, Fermilab, Northwestern University, University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois system, coupled with a powerful network of innovation hubs like 1871, mHub, and MATTER, the Chicagoland region is the prime choice for companies of all sizes, including emerging players like the Chan Zuckerberg Biotech hub, to establish their transformative businesses.

ILLINOIS: JOLIET - America’s Third Coast Rising!

Why has Joliet, IL risen to become America’s 3rd Coast, the largest inland port in North America? You will find that Joliet offers a unique set of strategic advantages for companies with labor- or capital-intensive operations to grow their business. It’s no wonder why large industrial developers such as CenterPoint and NorthPoint continue to develop over 6,300 acres of industrialzoned land and build large spec buildings of 1 million square feet each year in Joliet. It is why Amazon, IKEA, Home Depot, Mars, Cadence Premier Logistics, Whirlpool, and Lion Electric and other major firms have located in Joliet.

Companies seeking national and/or regional operations in the USA and North America have found Joliet’s location advantages impressive. Joliet is:

Centrally Positioned! Located just 45 miles southwest of Chicago at the intersection of I-80 and I-55, Joliet is centrally located in the Midwest, USA, and North America. Companies can reach a consumer market of 154 million people, or 47% of the US population, within a one-day truck drive (11 hours -715 miles). That’s why Harbor Freight Tools opened its new 1.6 million square-foot distribution center in June 2022 with 800 employees. The new facility will reduce the company’s carbon footprint by eliminating the need to transport products from either coast.

Situated for Speed! Joliet’s vast, multi-modal, integrated, and nationally connected transportation network provides for speedy and affordable delivery. The transportation network includes: ten interstate interchanges within the City; four Class I Railroad lines traversing North America; two intermodal facilities operated by Union Pacific and Burlington Northern; barge waterway service to the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico; national passenger rail service via Amtrak; a municipal airport; and two International Airports, O’Hare and Midway, within 45 minutes. That’s why

Opportunities Expansion

Walmart opened its first national “next generation” fulfillment center of 1.1 million square feet in Joliet in 2022. Over 1,000 people will be hired to pick, pack, and ship in a new innovative process that will streamline a twelve-step process to just five steps with leveraged technology.

Productive People! An available, affordable, and skilled labor pool can be found in Joliet and within the region. Joliet itself is the 3rd largest city in IL with a population of 152,000, and within 30 minutes resides a population of 1 million. Talents at all levels can be recruited; or, developed in partnership with educational institutions and local workforce development agencies. The areas productive labor force is represented by 8,000 manufacturers who employ more than 250,000 workers within an hour’s distance. Joliet Junior College and the University of St. Francis educate over 17,000 students with 2,880 graduating each year in various degrees. That’s why Lion Electric, in 2022, opened the largest manufacturing plant in the United States for electric school buses and urban trucks in Joliet. At full capacity Lion Electric will employ 1,400 manufacturing jobs and produce over 20,000 electric busses and trucks annually at their 900,000 square-foot facility.

Competitively Priced! Joliet is a competitively priced location for a variety of industries. Median wages for manufacturing and warehousing are lower than the national average. Property taxes are 50% lower than neighboring Cook

County communities. City water and sewer systems have an available and growing capacity of several million gallons per day. ComEd is the electric supplier and offers low cost and more reliable service than its peers. Low-cost financing can also be assembled through a variety of economic development districts and programs. That’s why in 2016 Cadence Premier Logistics located their headquarters in a 144,000-square-foot build-to-suit facility in Joliet and added 370,000 square feet in 2022. Over 250 employees work in management, office functions, trucking, warehousing, truck repairs, and sales. The company provides comprehensive logistics services that include local cartage within 100 miles and over-the-road services within 500 miles of Joliet.

Quality Living! Joliet is a river city that is rich in culture. The city is bisected by the Des Plaines River and joined by a series of bridges, with four draw bridges in the city’s historic downtown. Major attractions include historic downtown architecture, the Rialto Theater, Harrah’s Casino, Hollywood Casino, the Slammers Baseball Stadium, Joliet Area Historical Museum, Route 66 Visitors Center, Autobahn Country Club, the Old Joliet Prison--home to the famous Blues Brothers movie, and miles of walking and bicycle trails. This is why over 150,000 residents call Joliet home, resulting in a home ownership rate of 70% higher than the national average. The variety of cultural amenities, robust economy, safe communities, and an affordable cost of living makes for an exceptional quality of life in Joliet.