$20B in Investment & Top National Rankings

During Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's first 15 months in office, substantial investments and developments have been announced, exceeding $20 billion, reinforcing Chicago's status as a powerhouse in industry, and a top destination for investment and development.

The following projects will transform the city's landscape—influencing and inspiring other investors and companies to expand, relocate, and engage in business here.

• O'Hare Airport Expansion: Enhancing our international gateway is expected to generate thousands of jobs and significantly boost the local economy through increased tourism and business travel. The project is expected to generate more than $800 million in state and local tax revenues by 2033. Read more.
• Google's Transformation of the Thompson Center is bringing innovation to the heart of the city, creating thousands of jobs, and revitalizing the downtown area with new business opportunities and increased economic activity. This project will have a transformative impact not only our city, but also the nation’s architecture and real estate communities. Read more.
• JP Morgan Chase's Revamp of Chase Tower: Modernizing a key financial hub, which will attract additional financial services firms and professionals, contributing to Chicago's status as a leading financial hub. During the building period alone, the project will create more than 970 local construction jobs – triggering additional economic activity of $264 million for Cook County and $377 million for Illinois overall. Read more.
• LaSalle Street Corridor Transformation is revitalizing a historic, and iconic, business district, drawing new businesses, as well as addressing the need for affordable housing, enhancing property values, and stimulating economic growth in the downtown area. Read more.
• The 1901 Project, "a project worthy of Chicago's greatness," aims to develop 55 acres on the West Side, creating a mixed-use development that includes commercial, residential, and recreational spaces, projected to create hundreds of jobs and invigorate the local economy. By the numbers alone, the project aims to revitalize and boost the local economy, with 63,000 construction jobs that will eventually become 12,000 permanent jobs on the site, forecasting an annual economic impact of $4.5 billion. Read more.
• South Works Quantum Computing Center: A proposed quantum campus will bring cutting-edge technology and investment to the southeast side, positioning Chicago as a leader in quantum computing and generating high-tech jobs and innovation-driven economic growth. The public investment is expected to yield $20 billion in economic impact over the next decade and help create thousands of jobs in quantum computing. Read more.

These investments are a testament to Chicago's resilience and ambition, driving progress and ensuring the city remains a global destination.

Chicago Recognized in Business Facilities Magazine's 20th Annual Metro Rankings Report

Business Facilities magazine , a leading intelligence source on corporate expansion and relocation since 1968, provides invaluable insights that guide C-Level executives in making strategic location decisions. The magazine's annual rankings, released earlier this week, are a comprehensive examination of top-performing locations on Metro, State, and Global levels, spotlighting over 60 categories pertinent to site selection.

Chicago is ranked in the Top 10 in the nation for the following categories:

• Fintech Leaders
• Tech Talent Leaders
• Smart Metros (formerly Smart Cities)
• Manufacturing Hubs
• Logistics Leaders
• Corporate HQ Leaders

These accolades underscore Chicago's attractiveness for businesses and talent. In addition to the notable projects above, other companies are making significant decisions to expand or relocate to Chicago, further solidifying our leadership in these categories.

• For instance, as reported in a previous edition of the Business Pulse, Grindr , the largest social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people, opened its Chicago operation to serve as its primary global engineering hub, driven by Chicago’s rich talent pool.
• Nexamp announced that Chicago would be its second national headquarters. As the nation’s largest community solar provider, Nexamp's decision to establish its second headquarters here leverages Chicago’s standing as a Top Metro for Corporate Headquarters and our collective effort to lead the national solar conversation.
• With over 12,000 manufacturing firms in Chicagoland, we have long been a global manufacturing hub for leading-edge production. Securing Chicago’s continued position in this critical category are pro-Chicago decisions from companies like Mattiq , National Safety Apparel , and ⭕️ Nimbus® .

"As the nation turns its gaze to Chicago during the Democratic National Convention, I urge you to champion our city's incredible developments, economic resilience, and burgeoning industries. Share our successes and be proud ambassadors of Chicago's bright future." —Phil Clement, President & CEO, World Business Chicago

With over $20 billion in investment over the last 15 months, Chicago's ongoing strengths in these key categories are paving the way for a brighter, more equitable future. As we continue to innovate and adapt, our city remains a beacon of opportunity and growth. Stay tuned for more updates on these exciting projects, initiatives, and other pro-Chicago decisions in the weeks and months to come.

We invite interested site selectors and company decision-makers to connect with our team to learn how we can support your goals to expand and grow in this dynamic city. Let's build a better, stronger, safer Chicago—together.