Illinois

The Land of Lincoln offers a highly educated workforce and a logistics network that is hard to match.

The environmental workforce and job training grants will help transform economically disadvantaged communities across the U.S. 

Trade wars may come and go, but U.S. ports are in it for the long haul: expanding their services and dredging harbors to make way for ships carrying gigantic containers.

Amazon will expand its office in downtown Chicago by more than 70,000 square feet, allowing the company to double its tech workforce in the city.

The Conagra Brands Center for Food Design will be a state-of-the-art snacking innovation center with up to 50 food designers and culinary staff.

Attracting foreign direct investment has become a top priority for economic development organizations seeking to leverage the status of the U.S. as the top global destination for FDI.

The U.S. manufacturing sector finally has regained the output levels lost during the Great Recession. But an exceptionally tight labor market might put a damper on the celebration.

CBRE study found that last year, 61 of the largest 100 industrial leases in the U.S. were completed by e-commerce companies and logistics firms.

Size counts, but when it comes to making our picks for forward-thinking utilities, so do smart grids, renewable energy and a seat at the table when economic development deals are negotiated.

Massachusetts and Washington earned the second and third spots in the U.S. Green Building Council’s annual Top 10 States for LEED Green Building ranking.

California, Arizona and North Carolina round out the top five destination states for consumers who moved with Allied Van Lines last year.

Illinois’ Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) is attracting a number of renewable energy companies looking to reap the benefits of the legislation.

The German company will create 50 or more new jobs in the expansion of its North American Headquarters in Elgin, IL.

The competition for foreign direct investment is intensifying, with locations far and wide vying to become prime destinations for FDI.

The German company will invest $9 million in a new state-of-the-art facility in Elgin, its first in North America.

Tokyo ranks #1 in World Innovation Cities Index ahead of London and Silicon Valley.

The 17th largest economy in the world, Illinois has grown and attracted some of the most innovative and iconic companies on the planet—including Amazon, Caterpillar, Boeing and Wrigley Company—thanks to its many advantages for business and talent. Learn more at intersectillinois.org.

Business Facilities' 2018 Metro Rankings Report takes a look at the hot topics in economic development on the city level, including solar energy, job growth, economic growth potential, diversity, and more.

Collaborative robots (a.k.a. cobots), designed to work alongside human workers, are the next big thing in advanced manufacturing. More than 150,000 cobots will be in use by 2020, a number expected to exceed 700,000 by 2025.

The global floral company’s headquarters relocation to Chicago is part its new strategic growth plan.

Our Editor’s Choice selections for Top Utilities include the leaders who are upgrading their grids, diversifying their energy sources and doing what it takes to power economic development.

The 238,000-square-foot expansion will make the Alsip, IL facility the company’s largest and most advanced distribution center.

Located in Montgomery, IL, Carl Buddig and Company’s fourth manufacturing facility in the state will create up to 300 new jobs in the coming year.

FCA will modernize its Warren Truck Assembly to produce Ram Heavy Duty trucks, relocate truck production from Mexico, and add 2,500 new jobs.

Located in the heart of Chicago’s prestigious northern suburbs, Wheeling is a diverse and dynamic community of 40,000 people, distinguished by its unique balance of industry, commercial development, and residential neighborhoods.

The Hoosier Energy Power Network’s Economic Development team is dedicated to providing valuable site selection information and assistance to companies considering a relocation or expansion in Indiana or Illinois.

Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed legislation reinstating the Economic Development for a Growing Economy incentives program (EDGE), a vital tool in winning big-ticket projects.

Illinois, Texas, Maryland, and Oregon round out the top five in moving toward a modernized electric grid, according to the Grid Modernization Index.

Smart sensors and digital process controls are poised to exponentially improve the efficiency of U.S. advanced manufacturing.

From national manufacturing innovation institutes to university-led high-tech clusters and incubators, locations far and wide are stepping up to bring tomorrow’s breakthroughs to today’s market.

The September / October 2017 features a tour of high-tech hubs, plus a look at the logistics and advanced manufacturing industries. Also, New Mexico, Mississippi, Illinois, Iowa, Colorado, Tennessee, and South Carolina.

The company's new 392,000-square-foot Outcome Tower marks the city’s emergence as a national health-tech leader.

Trustwave will add more than 300 employees at its new Chicago headquarters; City Colleges of Chicago is launching a Cyber Security Boot Camp.

The logistics and distribution industry is poised for a great leap forward as new technology digitally transforms the supply chain from end to end.

The Advancing the Development of Minority Entrepreneurship program will mentor start-ups in Peoria, Rockford and Chicago.

The leading utilities are finding innovative ways to seal the deal on new development projects. They’re also ahead of the curve on low-cost efficiency, smart-grid technology and the conversion to renewables.

The March / April 2017 issue features our annual tour of workforce development programs across the U.S. Plus, the impact of low-cost power, and a look at the aerospace and manufacturing industries, Louisiana, New Mexico, Kentucky, New York, Minnesota, Illinois, and Cape Coral, FL.

The U.S. and China remain leaders among the world’s innovation hubs, according to a new report from KPMG.

Systemic improvements in cost efficiency are delivering better pricing to the logistics sector, but gaps in infrastructure are still a problem.

Chicago’s new National Innovation Institute, built with $70 million in federal funding, is paving the way for the advanced manufacturing breakthroughs of the 21st century.