Governor Recounts Investment and Business Growth Mission to Europe

Substantial investments in Illinois are likely to follow soon

Gov. Bruce Rauner, addressing the media to recap his 10-day investment and business growth mission to Germany and Poland, said today that he and his delegation of Illinois business leaders met with dozens of companies to discuss foreign direct investment in Illinois.

“We talked about some really exciting opportunities that are likely to result in substantial investments in our state in the coming months,” Rauner said. “Our meetings took place at critical stages in the decision process for some of these companies and we made Illinois’ case.”

Rauner revealed details of his mission at the headquarters of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA). Near the end of his trip, he made the official announcement that MPEA will host Germany’s world-renowned manufacturing trade show brand at McCormick Place co-located with the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS).

Combined, Germany’s HANNOVER MESSE and our IMTS will attract more than 125,000 visitors and produce hundreds of millions in economic impact for Illinois, and the City of Chicago and the Chicagoland area.

“This fall we are excited to welcome HANNOVER MESSE to McCormick Square for their first show in the United States,” said Lori T. Healey, CEO, Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA). “I believe there will be in excess of 125,000 people here this year taking up every square inch of rentable space on this campus for this huge show. That’s a lot of people eating in restaurants, staying in hotels, and providing an economic boost for Chicago and the surrounding area.”

“IMTS has further enhanced its attractiveness as a ‘must attend’ international manufacturing technology destination by partnering with HANNOVER MESSE,” says Michelle Edmonson, Senior Director – Exhibitions Operations & Marketing. “Co-locating HANNOVER MESSE USA with IMTS 2018 increases the show’s emphasis on automation, robotics and Industry 4.0, with approximately 550 additional exhibitors occupying 130,000 sq. ft. of floor space.” 

“Growth-minded visitors will attend IMTS 2018 looking for solutions that remove production bottlenecks,” says Peter R. Eelman, Vice President – Exhibitions & Business Development at AMT – The Association for Manufacturing Technology, which produces IMTS. “For many manufacturers, simply doing more of the same thing in a larger space or adding more people isn’t a viable option. Growth requires change, and visitors view IMTS as a change agent. They come to the show knowing that they can find technologies that not just shave minutes off production cycles, but that can positively disrupt their manufacturing approach.”

According to the governor, the mission provided an opportunity to meet with companies that already have Illinois in their sights for investment. 

“This trade mission solidified the fact that we have a tremendous opportunity to revitalize our middle class through bringing manufacturing jobs back to Illinois. To do this, however, we need to ensure a strong workforce is in place and is prepared to fill these positions with the right skillsets.  At the end of the day, the positives Illinois has to offer far outweigh the negatives,” said Illinois Manufacturers Association President and CEO Greg Baise.  “This mission highlighted the employer demand—and incredible opportunity—to develop a direct pipeline of educated students and connect them to a workforce eager to hire them.”

The governor noted that the mission had a marketing aspect, as well. Illinois is the world’s 18th largest economy and its assets are well known to the 200+ German and Polish companies that employ more than 38,000 Illinoisans. But there are thousands more that don’t know the Illinois story.

Intersect Illinois CEO Mark Peterson, whose organization financed most of the trip, was also encouraged by the results. “This is only the beginning of the focused efforts that Intersect Illinois will lead in the coming years. Helping the State of Illinois to recruit new companies from  around the world and attract foreign direct investment is exactly what Intersect was created for. We look forward to announcing new investment in the coming months as a direct result of this trade mission.” 

“This is an exciting time for DuPage County and the region as a whole. Working closely with the Governor’s Office, the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity and Intersect Illinois, DuPage County has expanded its global footprint with international businesses seeking to relocate, or expand operations here,” said John Carpenter, President and CEO of Choose Dupage.                                                                                                        

Consuls General and U.S. Ambassadors arranged for hundreds of prospective investors to hear the Illinois story. 

“Over the course of this mission we talked to companies throughout Poland and Germany looking to build and grow relationships with Illinois,” said DCEO Director Sean McCarthy. “By making these connections and selling Illinois assets abroad we can bring a lot of foreign direct investment to Illinois.”

“We met with business and education leaders in two of Europe’s most compelling economies,” Rauner said. “Germany is a mainstay in world commerce and is a $3.4 billion customer for Illinois businesses. Poland is a rising economic star that has parlayed fiscal discipline into more than 25 consecutive years of economic growth. We look forward to seeing where these friendships lead.” 

Video of the event is posted here.

Choose DuPage Economic Indicators Report

Why to Choose DuPage: Robust Job Market with Excellent Opportunities

2018 First Quarter Economic Indicators show opportunities coming, including hundreds in healthcare

Choose DuPage has released its 2018 First Quarter Economic Indicators Report outlining DuPage County’s continued economic growth. While maintaining the lowest unemployment rate in the region, the average annual salary in DuPage County is higher than both the state and national average. Current employment opportunities in high-paying positions are also available in a wide range of industries throughout DuPage further showcasing it as an ideal location for businesses and job seekers looking to build a life in a thriving community. 

2018 First Quarter Economic Indicator Report Highlights:

  • DuPage County continues to maintain the lowest unemployment rate in the Chicagoland region at 4.2%, lower than both the State of Illinois (5.0%) and United States (4.4%). 
  • Industrial vacancy rates are currently at 5.5%; office vacancy rates dropped to 15.3% from 17.5% during the same period last year. 
  • The average annual salary in DuPage County is approximately $62,000 – higher than both the State of Illinois ($57,000) and United States ($54,000).  

Occupation Snapshot

Over the next year, the fastest growing industry in DuPage County is expected to be Healthcare Support Occupations with a +2.2% year-over-year rate of growth (adding 350 jobs). The next highest is Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations with 1.3% growth (adding 419 jobs), followed by Personal Care and Service with 1.3% growth (adding 257 jobs).

“DuPage County has consistently maintained the lowest unemployment rate in the Chicagoland region while we continue to bring new business development to the area,” said John Carpenter, president and CEO of Choose DuPage. “The projected growth in the healthcare and personal care sectors alone will add close to 1,000 new jobs over the next year. Our market is robust and this is an exciting time DuPage County.”

The largest major occupation groups in DuPage County are Office and Administrative Support positions (106,367 workers), Sales and Related Occupations (71,836 workers), and Transportation and Material Moving Occupations (49,322 workers). Occupations in the DuPage with the highest average wages per worker are in Management ($118,700), Legal  ($101,300), and Computer and Mathematical Occupations ($87,000).Measuring future job growth by the number of advertised open positions indicates  there are nearly 20,000 online job opportunities in DuPage for careers in the Computer & Mathematical field, followed by over 15,000 in Management, and tens of thousands more across various sectors in white collar and blue collar industries.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT

Governor's Delegation to Europe

Governor Leads Delegation to Europe

Choose DuPage is joining the Intersect Illinois delegation that is in Germany this week for a jobs mission with Governor Rauner and members of Team Illinois. The jobs mission will have a brief stop in Poland before continuing to Germany. Between April 17th and April 24th, the Team will cover over 1,600 miles and attend 20 plus meetings. 

This will be Governor Rauner’s first European trip as Governor. He, along with Intersect Illinois, leaders in business, education, and the government comprise “Team Illinois” and will begin the Germany portion of the trip in Munich.

John Carpenter & Gov Rauner in Germany
Pictured above: Governor Rauner with John Carpenter, President & CEO of Choose DuPage Economic Development Alliance 

The Governor will lead Team Illinois along with Mark Peterson, President & CEO of Intersect Illinois, Sean McCarthy, Director at the Illinois Department of Commerce, Erik Brejla, Assistant Deputy Director and Foreign Direct Investment and Site Selection, of the Illinois Department of Commerce, and Kelly Nicholl, Chief Marketing Officer of Intersect Illinois. Team Illinois consists of a talented group of individuals who possess a wealth of knowledge and experience as it relates to Illinois and this jobs mission.

Representing Illinois are the following individuals:

  • Mark Peterson – President & CEO – Intersect Illinois
  • Sean McCarthy – Director – Illinois Department of Commerce
  • Erik Brejla – Assistant Deputy Director – Foreign Direct Investment and Site Selection – Illinois Department of Commerce
  • Kelly Nicholl – Chief Marketing Officer – Intersect Illinois
  • Jason Anderson – Economic Development Director – City of Rochelle
  • Greg Baise – President & CEO – Illinois Manufacturers Association
  • John Carpenter – President & CEO – Choose DuPage
  • Kevin Considine – President & CEO – Lake County Partners
  • Mark Denzler – Vice President & COO – Illinois Manufacturers Association
  • Dr. Kenneth Ender – President – Harper College
  • Matt Gambs – Senior Vice President – Wintrust Financial; Board, Illinois Chamber
  • Anna Morzy – Founding Member Polish American Committee; Former President – Polish American Leadership
  • Edward Seidel – Vice President of Economic Development and Innovation – University of Illinois System
  • Mark Tomkins – President &  CEO – German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest
  • Terry Wilkerson – President – Rend Lake Community College
  • Andria Winters – Senior Director of Business Services – CBRE

With over 1,800 foreign owned companies in Illinois generating $100B in FDI, Foreign Direct Investment continues to be a focus for Team Illinois. Marketing Illinois as a global hub for business to international job creators will bring new opportunities to forge partnerships and advance the state’s economic growth.  With the superior access to international travel as well as Illinois’ talented workforce, we are excited to bring this message across the globe.

The trip has a busy itinerary that includes visits to companies that have existing facilities in Illinois, as well as exciting announcements of new operations within the state.  The perfect conclusion to this whirlwind will be Hannover Messe where the team will meet with various Illinois companies exhibiting at the world’s largest manufacturing trade show.  Hannover Messe boasts over 6,500 exhibitors from 70+ countries and 225K trade visitors. 

Germany Delegation 3
Pictured above: Team Illinois, including Governor Rauner and John Carpenter visit Haribo Gummies

New spec industrial building strategically located at Western Bypass

A joint-venture between Distribution Realty Group and EverWest Real Estate Investors announced its plans to develop an approximately 190,000 square foot speculative industrial building at 220 York Road in Bensenville, Illinois.

Located in DuPage County, the building will feature modern Class A characteristics including 32′ clear ceiling heights, LED lighting with motion sensors, attractive storefront glass, up to 37 dock doors, and ample auto parking. The building is designed to appeal to high end warehouse and logistics companies seeking top-tier space in O’Hare.

“The assemblage of 26 parcels on 10 acres adjacent to the Illinois Route 390 and O’Hare International Airport created a best-in-class logistics location,” said Curran Darling, DRG’s Senior Vice President in Chicago. “From this facility, our customers can take advantage of O’Hare’s South Cargo Entrance from a low DuPage County tax location, along with great connectivity to the new Western Bypass which provides immediate access to Chicagoland’s interstate system.”

“Our firm views Chicago as one of the country’s most important logistics hubs,” said James Love, Managing Partner of DRG, “and we look forward to adding our 10th facility to the O’Hare submarket.” 

The venture has hired Sam Durkin and Dominic Carbonari of JLL to market the property for lease on its behalf. Arco Murray will construct the building on behalf of the partnership.

Distribution Realty Group LLC

Distribution Realty Group LLC is a privately owned industrial real estate firm with offices in Chicago and Nashville. The firm has acquired and developed over 3 million square feet of industrial and distribution facilities since its founding in 2013. For more information, please visit www.distributionrealty.com.

EverWest Real Estate Investors

EverWest Real Estate Investors is a real estate investor and operator located in Denver, Colorado.  The company was acquired by Great-West Life’s real estate advisory platform in February 2018 to help expand their international presence. For more information, please visit www.everwest.com.