Host Greg Bedalov sits down with Illinois Congressman Bill Foster, congress’ only PhD physicist, for a sweeping conversation on AI, economics and more.
Why do smarter algorithms often require more energy? How does public support drive private-sector innovation? Why are so many data centers popping up in Northern Illinois? And most importantly, how do all these pieces fit together?
Find out on the DuPage Business Beat.
Special Guest: Congressman Bill Foster, representative of the 11th Congressional District of Illinois
Dive Deeper
In this episode, we talk about what makes DuPage County and the Chicagoland region so attractive to data centers and other tech investments. Here’s what makes us different.
Speaking of data centers, here’s the story of a recent groundbreaking on a new $350M facility in Aurora, IL.
Another big topic here is quantum computing. Read about Chicago’s new Quantum Park here and learn how investments like this are positioning the regional economy for the future.
$350M Investment Builds on Illinois’ Booming Tech Industry
Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined the CyrusOne team, Choose DuPage, ComEd, and local elected officials to break ground on the new data center in Aurora. The new campus, which consists of two buildings totaling 446,000 square feet, will serve local communities and national networks through the creation of state-of-the-art digital infrastructure solutions.
“When I became governor, I pledged to make Illinois a home for the high-tech, high-growth industries of the future,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.“This groundbreaking is the culmination of years of work with our partners at CyrusOne, and secures hundreds of construction jobs as well as over twenty data center positions for the people of our state. CyrusOne’s new data center joins the ecosystem of high-tech sectors that are flourishing in Illinois– from electric vehicles to quantum computing to chip manufacturers – that form the foundation of sustainable economic growth.”
CyrusOne selected Aurora for this $350 million investment with future growth and expansion capabilities in mind. The data center will create hundreds of construction jobs and more than 20 full-time positions. It is set to open in early 2026, a very quick timeline for a data center of this size, due in part to Illinois’ many economic development assets that create opportunities for companies like CyrusOne.
“With the Chicagoland being the third-largest data center market nationally and demand continuing surging, this expansion aligns perfectly with our strategic plan to enhance our capacity and capabilities,” said Eric Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer of CyrusOne.“This investment reinforces our commitment to innovation and meeting the evolving needs of our customer base in this critical market.”
“ComEd is committed to powering economic development projects that create local jobs and drive investment in our communities,” said ComEd President and CEO Gil Quiniones. “CyrusOne’s new site in Aurora will deliver on those goals, while prioritizing sustainable building and ensuring opportunities for revenue and job growth for Illinois. We look forward to delivering the resilient and reliable electrical infrastructure needed to serve their needs today and well into the future.”
In partnership with the State of Illinois, CyrusOne has been approved for the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s data center investment program, which includes a Project Labor Agreement for the facility’s construction. IBEW will be the primary labor partner. CyrusOne has now invested over $1 billion across Illinois.
“This state-of-the-art data center expansion will strengthen our technological capabilities and create good-paying jobs for IBEW members. We’re excited to be part of this project that will help power Illinois’ innovation economy,” said IBEW Sixth District International Vice President Michael Clemmons. “I want to extend our appreciation to Governor JB Pritzker, whose tireless efforts in attracting these kinds of transformative investments have been instrumental in making Illinois a prime destination for projects that benefit our skilled workforce and our communities.”
“CyrusOne’s decision to include a Project Labor Agreement prioritizes the needs of Illinois working families by ensuring that the hundreds of construction jobs created will provide safe working conditions, good wages and benefits, and sustained investment in the local economy and workforce,” said Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea.
The new campus builds on Illinois’ thriving data center industry, supported by the Pritzker administration’s data center incentives. Currently, four of the largest data center campuses in the nation are being built in Illinois, creating thousands of jobs and investing billions in the state.
Between high interest rates, changing work habits, and the upcoming election, there are a lot of factors affecting office and industrial markets. So we figured it was time to check back in with two of our previous podcast guests, who keep a close watch on all things real estate.
In our latest episode, host Greg Bedalov joins Jim Adler and Mark Moran, Executive Vice Presidents of the Oak Brook-based brokerage firm NAI Hiffman, for an update on office and industrial development in Chicagoland.
How are high interest rates affecting the industrial market, and what will happen when those rates begin to drop? How are Chicago’s suburbs getting creative and reimagining large office spaces post-pandemic? How are trends like hybrid work changing the game?
We cover all these topics and more on the latest Beat.
To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.
Ontogen Medtech, a product development firm specializing in medical device design and development, is proud to announce a major expansion of its operations with the launch of a new business unit dedicated to providing contract manufacturing services for clients in the medical device, in-vitro diagnostic, and health hard-tech industries. This development is part of the company’s broader strategy to offer a full spectrum of services to the health tech industry, from innovative design to scalable production. Accompanying this expansion, Ontogen Medtech is thrilled to welcome industry veteran Michael Corrigan as the head of the new manufacturing division. The company is also announcing its move into an expanded facility in September 2024 located in Lisle, Illinois, significantly enhancing its R&D and production capabilities.
“Our strategic decision to expand into contract manufacturing and to bring on Mike Corrigan to lead this new division marks a significant milestone in our company’s growth,” said Tyler Panian, Principal and Co-Founder of Ontogen Medtech. “Mike’s extensive experience and leadership in medical device manufacturing will be invaluable as we strive to meet the increasing demand for developing and producing high-quality, innovative medical devices for our clients. This expansion allows us to offer our partners comprehensive solutions that span the entire product lifecycle, from concept to commercialization.”
Michael Corrigan brings to Ontogen Medtech a wealth of experience in medical device manufacturing, having held numerous leadership positions where he oversaw the manufacturing scale-up and production of cutting-edge medical technologies. “I’m thrilled to join such an exceptional team. Adding best-in-class Contract Manufacturing services to Ontogen Medtech presents a fantastic opportunity to enhance the value we deliver to our clients,” said Mike. His expertise will be instrumental in driving the success of the new contract manufacturing services, ensuring that Ontogen Medtech continues to deliver the highest standards of quality and innovation that have defined its reputation in the industry.
The new Ontogen Medtech facility boasts over 12,000 square feet of operational space, including a ~1,000 square-foot Class 7 clean room. This expansion not only reflects the company’s growth but also its ongoing commitment to adhering to the highest standards of quality and regulatory compliance in all manufacturing processes. The state-of-the-art clean room is a cornerstone of the facility, ensuring that all products meet the stringent requirements necessary for medical device manufacturing. Ontogen Medtech’s strategic expansion and the addition of Michael Corrigan to its team underscore the company’s commitment to excellence and innovation in the medical device sector.
CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker was joined by federal, state, and local leaders and partners to reveal the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park’s (IQMP) location at USX on the South Side of Chicago and announce the quantum campus’ first anchor tenant – PsiQuantum. As the leading quantum computing company focused on building the first useful, error-corrected quantum computer, PsiQuantum will drive innovation, competitive research, and economic growth in Illinois.
“PsiQuantum brings years of foundational research and scientific groundwork, a clear and comprehensive business and tech development strategy, and a global reputation as a pioneer in quantum computing applications—I am thrilled to welcome them to Chicago and have them as a partner in the work ahead of us,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Our vision of Illinois as a global quantum capital comes further into focus at Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, providing limitless opportunities for economic investment and innovation right here on the South Side.”
“We are igniting a quantum revolution right here in Illinois,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “This historic investment goes beyond building a quantum campus; it’s a launch pad for groundbreaking creativity and research. By positioning Illinois as a global leader in quantum technology, we are ensuring the resilience of our economy and promoting job opportunities for the future.”
“Governor Pritzker and his administration have made extraordinary progress in establishing the state as a global leader in quantum computing, and PsiQuantum is thrilled to partner with them and anchor the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park,” said Prof. Jeremy O’Brien, PsiQuantum CEO and co-founder. “The IQMP will serve as a hub for the state’s thriving quantum ecosystem, and we can think of no better place to build the first utility-scale quantum computer in the United States.”
Through PsiQuantum’s 300,000-square-foot footprint at the IQMP, with room to grow, the company will work with customers, including Fortune 500 companies, to identify problems and develop fault-tolerant algorithms that will run on the IQMP system to deliver answers to customers. At least 150 new PsiQuantum jobs will be created at the IQMP, including system maintenance engineers, mechanical engineers, cryogenic plant technicians, test and assembly managers, and non-technical roles in finance, sales, supply chain, human resources, and more.
“Illinois has long held the spirit of invention, innovation, and leadership. The USX quantum computing campus, with PsiQuantum as the anchor tenant, further establishes Illinois as a global hub for quantum research and investment,” said Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). “With our growing partnership with the Department of Defense, the strength of our National Labs, the expertise of our universities, and the ambition of our business leaders, Illinois will continue to champion quantum technologies and industries of the future.”
“Illinois is a leader in our country’s quantum revolution—we’re making it clear that we’re ready to compete and have the projects and innovation to bring our state, nation and world into the future,” U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) said. “I’m proud that Illinois’s new quantum campus will help bring significant innovation, investment and jobs to Chicago’s Southeast Side, and I’ll keep working to help support our state’s growing quantum industry from the federal level in any way I can.”
“Quantum technology is one of the critical industries of tomorrow, and the EDA-designated Bloch Tech Hub and the Illinois Quantum Park, with the strong partnership from the Governor, solidify Chicago as a burgeoning leader in quantum. This is place-based, innovation-forward economic development at its best: combining federal resources with regional assets, expertise, and coalitions to implement transformational opportunities. We look forward to an exciting, collaborative partnership with the consortium and its network to solidify America’s technological edge, and ensure the good-paying jobs this industry creates start, grow, and remain in the United States,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo
“The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park represents a generational opportunity for Illinois to secure its position as a leader in quantum computing and innovation,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “With PsiQuantum as an anchor tenant, the quantum campus’ vibrant atmosphere will create thousands of job opportunities with multiple tenants while bolstering economic growth throughout Illinois.”
“PsiQuantum has proven it is an industry leader in quantum computing, an emerging technology that will have significant global implications. It has never been clearer to the U.S. and our allies that where critical technologies are developed and manufactured is of the utmost importance to our economic and national security,” said PsiQuantum Government Advisory Board Member Michèle Flournoy. “With PsiQuantum’s partnership with the Australian government to build their first system in Brisbane and now today’s announcement that Chicago and Illinois are on a path to become home to America’s first utility-scale quantum computer, PsiQuantum is leading the race to develop this critical technology.”
The Chicago site has 128 acres ready for immediate development and an additional 312 acres available for expansion. Its strategic location near Lake Michigan and the Calumet River will provide the water sources needed for cooling, and the site can accommodate the large power needs. The park is strategically located to take advantage of Illinois’ top tier infrastructure with interstate, rail and water access along with close proximity to partners including the University of Chicago and the Chicago Quantum Exchange.
The quantum campus will also be the location of the State of Illinois’ new partnership with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), designed to explore the potential of quantum computing in Illinois. Through the Quantum Proving Ground program, quantum computing prototypes will be tested and evaluated as part of DARPA’s new Quantum Benchmarking Initiative. This partnership is the result of investments made during the Pritzker administration in quantum research and infrastructure, in addition to the state’s strong local workforce, research, and university partners.
IQMP is projected to generate up to $20 billion in economic impact and create thousands of jobs. Additional tenants will be announced in the coming months.
PsiQuantum’s total incentive package from the State of Illinois, which includes Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity Act (MICRO), capital grants, workforce development assistance, a low interest loan and other incentives, is valued at $200 million. The MICRO agreement specifies a minimum company investment of $1.09 billion and the creation of at least 154 full-time jobs. A link to the full MICRO agreement can be found here.
Illinois is investing $500 million to build out its quantum campus where Fortune 500 companies and startups in quantum computing can co-locate with each other, as well as with federal research offices, national laboratories, and universities. This campus will result in commercialization opportunities for Illinois entrepreneurs, make Illinois an even more desirable destination for federal research grants, and attract leading global technology companies.
Governor Pritzker has made investing in quantum computing a major priority for his administration. In addition to the half a billion-dollar investment in the quantum campus, Illinois previously invested $200 million to support the Chicago Quantum Exchange, the first state to make that large of a commitment to quantum.
“Today, Illinois plants a flag and reminds the world of the leadership role we play in technology,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “I can’t think of a better location to send that message. This site connects the power of our past with the promise for our future.”
“Illinois’ bright minds, world-class educational institutions, and innovative tech sector make the perfect ecosystem for this exciting next generation of computing and this next step in building a 21st Century economy,” said Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. “As we continue working to attract quality businesses and create cutting-edge jobs, this is another example of the smart investments that will help our state thrive.”
“We are at a pivotal moment in history as we launch the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, with PsiQuantum as our anchor tenant,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “This groundbreaking initiative underscores our commitment to making our region a global leader in technology and innovation. By creating a dedicated space for quantum computing, we are not only fostering economic growth and job creation but also solidifying our position at the forefront of scientific advancement. The collaboration between Cook County, the City of Chicago and our state partners highlights our unified vision for a prosperous, equitable future in Cook County and throughout Illinois.”
Cook County is a key partner in the IQMP initiative, demonstrating its commitment to driving technological innovation and economic growth. To support this groundbreaking project, Cook County is considering a new property tax incentive for approval by the Cook County Board of Commissioners. This incentive would foster a favorable environment to drive economic development on the southeast side. In addition to this incentive, Cook County will commit $5 million to help establish the quantum computing hub at the USX site.
Intersect Illinois Chairman, John Atkinson, speaks at the announcement of the Quantum and Microelectronics Park’s location and the campus’ first anchor tenant, PsiQuantum.
“The continued collaboration between Governor JB Pritzker and his administration, DCEO, our incredible partners and the Intersect Illinois team has been instrumental in encouraging transformative new industries, like quantum and microelectronics, to set down roots here in our state,” said John Atkinson, Chairman of Intersect Illinois. “The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park will build on our strong existing ecosystem to further establish our state as a global leader in quantum, and I look forward to seeing the progress of this extraordinary, first-of-its-kind campus.”
“We thank PsiQuantum for betting big on the Chicagoland region and Illinois, and applaud Governor Pritzker for his vision and pursuit of this quantum opportunity. Between this project, our existing world-class quantum ecosystem, and the recent investments in quantum campus development and quantum research and development, Illinois is on the path to becoming a global leader in what will be one of the most consequential technological developments of the 21st century,” said Jack Lavin, President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
We’re thrilled by today’s announcement the former U.S. Steel site in Chicago will become a global hub for quantum computing. Led by PsiQuantum, this development will shape the world for generations to come as we harness this game-changing technology to tackle some of our most pressing challenges. Quantum has the power to drastically transform industries vital to the economy, including manufacturing, biopharmaceutical development, national defense and cyber security,” said Mark Denzler, President & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “We’re proud to work collaboratively with Governor Pritzker’s office, the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, Intersect Illinois, world-class universities, national laboratories, and others to create an ecosystem that has put our state at the forefront of the quantum revolution.
“ComEd is excited to power the new quantum computing hub in Illinois and promote a thriving quantum ecosystem in this region,” said Gil Quiniones, President and CEO of ComEd. “These advancements in processing data have the potential to supercharge our ability to solve the most complex problems in science, energy and business. By providing unparalleled access to clean power, with industry-leading reliability, ComEd is uniquely positioned to enable quantum computing, along with the job creation and community investment that come with it.”
The lab’s new system achieves over a quintillion calculations per second.
Aurora’s speed and artificial intelligence capabilities will transform scientific research and enable breakthroughs in some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from climate and materials science to energy storage and fusion energy.
The Aurora supercomputer at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory has officially surpassed the exascale threshold, measuring over a quintillion calculations per second on the new Top500 list. The results were announced today at the ISC High Performance 2024 conference in Hamburg, Germany.
In its latest submission to the semi-annual list of the world’s most powerful supercomputers, Aurora registered 1.012 exaflops using 87% of the system’s 10,624 nodes. After making its Top500 debut in November 2023, the Argonne system retained its spot as the second fastest supercomputer and joined DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Frontier as the world’s second exascale machine. Aurora also earned the top spot in a measure of artificial intelligence (AI) performance, achieving 10.6 exaflops on the HPL-MxP benchmark.
“We’re thrilled to see Aurora join the exascale club,” said Michael Papka, director of the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility (ALCF), a DOE Office of Science user facility at Argonne. “I’m extremely proud of the Aurora team’s ongoing efforts to get the system up and running for the research community. We can’t wait to see what the full system will be capable of.”
As one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, Aurora gives scientists a powerful new tool for carrying out research involving simulation, AI and data analysis. The state-of-the-art system will not only enable breakthroughs in science and engineering but also spur new advances in technology and bolster the nation’s innovation infrastructure.
“Aurora is fundamentally transforming how we do science for our country,” Argonne Laboratory Director Paul Kearns said. “It will accelerate scientific discovery by combining high performance computing and AI to fight climate change, develop life-saving medical treatments, create new materials, understand the universe and so much more.”
“Aurora excels at tackling both traditional scientific computing problems and AI-powered research,” added Rick Stevens, Argonne’s associate lab director for Computing, Environment and Life Sciences. “As AI continues to reshape the scientific landscape, Aurora gives us a platform to develop new tools and approaches that will significantly accelerate the pace of research.”
Built by Intel and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Aurora’s first-of-its-kind architecture includes new technologies being deployed at an unprecedented scale. The supercomputer’s 63,744 graphics processing units (GPUs) make it the world’s largest GPU-powered system yet. It also has more endpoints in its interconnect technology than any other system to date.
The Aurora installation team, which includes staff from Argonne, Intel and HPE, continues to work through system validation, verification and scale-up activities. Their work has included addressing various hardware and software issues that emerge as the massive system nears full-scale operations.
Teams participating in the ALCF’s Aurora Early Science Program and DOE’s Exascale Computing Project have been preparing to run their research projects on Aurora for the past several years. The teams have demonstrated strong early performance gains while scaling and optimizing codes for the system. The initial Aurora projects include efforts to advance research in cosmology, fusion energy science, drug discovery and the design of new materials for clean energy technologies.
“Hitting exascale is a huge milestone but enabling groundbreaking science is the ultimate goal,” said Susan Coghlan, ALCF project director for Aurora. “The new performance numbers, along with some promising runs from our early science teams, give us a glimpse of what will be possible with Aurora.”
The Argonne Leadership Computing Facility provides supercomputing capabilities to the scientific and engineering community to advance fundamental discovery and understanding in a broad range of disciplines. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Science, Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) program, the ALCF is one of two DOE Leadership Computing Facilities in the nation dedicated to open science.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit their website.
The Jel Sert Company announced it will expand its West Chicago operations, creating more than 50 new full-time manufacturing and packing operations jobs while retaining nearly 1,000 existing positions in Illinois. The company is planning an investment of over $10 million to construct a new manufacturing operation along with increasing the number of state-of-the-art manufacturing lines to enhance the production of its popular powdered stick packs and ensure it can meet growing consumer demand.
“Illinois is open for business, and we are showing the rest of America why we are the best place for businesses to expand and grow,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I’m thrilled that Jel Sert decided to expand their footprint in Illinois with more than 50 new jobs in West Chicago. They’re a leader in the manufacturing space and we look forward to our continued partnership as they grow in Illinois.”
Incorporated in Illinois in 1926, The Jel Sert Company has grown from a local family-owned business to a leading name in the food and beverage manufacturing industry, known for its popular drink mixes, dessert mixes, and freezable novelties. Its decision to expand its operations reinforces the company’s role as a major employer in West Chicago and its commitment to the community it calls home.
“At Jel Sert, we believe in the power of community and the strength of local manufacturing,” said Ken Wegner, President, The Jel Sert Company. “Our expansion in West Chicago reaffirms our commitment to the community and to continue providing American families with the quality products they love.”
In January 2023, something unprecedented happened in Chicagoland. For the first time, seven Northeastern Illinois counties and the City of Chicago formed a partnership. Now, the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP) is working to drive inclusive development, promote the region’s collective assets, and foster collaboration like never before.
In this episode, host Greg Bedalov, President & CEO of Choose DuPage, sits down with three local leaders to discuss how GCEP is impacting the region and changing the Chicagoland story.
To learn more about GCEP, “one of the largest advancements in our collective economic history,” start here.
According to Site Selection Magazine, “The sense of regionalism exemplified by the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership will only reinforce the area’s attractiveness.” Learn why the publication named Chicagoland the Top Metro for Corporate Investment for the 11th year running.
In this episode, we discuss how GCEP is making an impact across Chicagoland. To learn more about the organization’s inaugural year, read the 2023 GCEP Year in Review.
A special thanks to the College of DuPage for supporting today’s episode. To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.
Site Selection Magazine – an international industry-leading business publication – released its annual corporate expansion and relocation rankings, naming Illinois #2 in the nation for corporate projects and Chicago the Top Metro for the 11th year in a row. The state ranks #2 in the nation for corporate expansions and relocations for the second year in a row, with 552 business expansion or relocation projects in 2023 (up from 487 in 2022). Illinois also placed #2 in projects per capita, up from #4 the previous year.
“Illinois continues to attract leading companies to our state, with hundreds of openings and expansions every year,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With our unique incentives, our growing market, and our diverse and talented workforce, there’s no doubt that the economy in Illinois is thriving. This impressive recognition from Site Selection Magazine for the second year in a row makes it clear: Illinois is back and open for business.”
The magazine also recognized the Chicago metropolitan area as the Top Metro for business expansion and relocations among large metros for the 11th straight year. With growth in key sectors including life sciences, data centers, and technology, companies benefit from Chicago’s deep talent pool, diverse economy and robust infrastructure.
Companies that located or expanded throughout Illinois in 2023 include:
Gotion – $2 billion electric vehicle battery gigafactory in Manteno, creating 2,600 jobs
Kraft Heinz – $400 million distribution center in DeKalb, creating 150 jobs
Gulfstream – $285 million investment in Cahokia, creating 200 jobs and retaining 500
Incobrasa – $250 million expansion in Gilman, creating 40 jobs and retaining 200
Prysmian Group – $64 million facility expansion, creating 80 jobs
Manner Polymers – $54 million facility in Mount Vernon, creating 60 jobs
“With unrivaled incentives and top assets, Illinois’ momentum is undeniable as hundreds of companies expand or relocate to the Land of Lincoln,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “Year after year, Illinois continues to grow its reputation as a global economic powerhouse, create jobs and nurture our thriving business ecosystem.”
“We continue to see companies from a diverse range of industries locate or expand in Illinois because of our state’s unmatched infrastructure, central location and talented workforce,” said Intersect Illinois CEO Dan Seals. “Site Selection’s rankings are a testament to the positive momentum we are seeing throughout Illinois.”
Illinois has seen an upward trajectory, earning nine credit upgrades since June 2021, and making focused investments in economic growth initiatives. The state’s modern infrastructure provides easy access to the world via air, road, rail and port and its top-notch higher education system produces the skilled workforce companies need to thrive.
“Site Selection congratulates state and local economic development professionals across Illinois for the state’s second-place finish in both the total projects and projects per capita facilities races,” said Mark Arend, editor-in-chief of Site Selection. “This demonstrates to our readers that Illinois is delivering the right location criteria to companies siting new projects and expanding existing ones.”
Corporate real estate analysts regard Site Selection’s yearly analyses as “the industry scoreboard.” To qualify, projects must meet one or more of these criteria: investment of $1 million or more, creation of 20 or more new jobs or 20,000 square feet or more of new space.
Most Chicagoland residents have heard of Argonne National Laboratory, the DuPage County-based U.S. Department of Energy facility. But what many don’t realize is that Argonne is teaming up with manufacturers to develop groundbreaking projects at-scale, from EV batteries to carbon capture tech.
For today’s episode, host Greg Bedalov sits down with Chris Heckle, Director of the Materials Manufacturing Innovation Center, to discuss the transformative work happening at Argonne—and the collaboration behind it.
Dive Deeper:
Home to two National Laboratories (Argonne and Fermilab) as well as one of the nation’s top science and engineering talent pools, DuPage County has a science-first ecosystem. Learn more.
Argonne researchers recently won three R&D 100 Awards, AKA “the Oscars of Innovation.” Their award-winning work included an AI program designed to accelerate cancer research and a physics simulation for nuclear energy. Read the full story.
If your business is interested in partnering with the Material Manufacturing Innovation Center at Argonne, reach out to Chris Heckle on LinkedIn.
A special thanks to the College of DuPage for supporting today’s episode. To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.
DuPage Business Beat Podcast
Today’s biggest business issues, told from a Chicagoland perspective. A podcast about emerging industries, shifting borders, economic ecosystems, and you. Featuring experts and entrepreneurs. Hosted by Greg Bedalov, President & CEO of Choose DuPage. DuPage Business Beat is produced by Choose DuPage.
