World Business Chicago (WBC) today was awarded “Top
Economic Development Group” by Site Selection
magazine, the “industry scoreboard”
for economic development. The magazine cited the group’s
ability to attract and retain business in the Chicago metro area, in
turn creating jobs.
The top ten economic development groups were chosen based on job
creation, new investment, innovation, leadership and customer service.
WBC submitted information in consideration for the award, including more
than $2 billion in capital investment projects and the creation of
32,767 new jobs for the Chicago region in 2007.
“Mayor Daley created World Business Chicago
nine years ago, as a unique partnership between the city and the
business community and we are honored to be recognized.”
said executive director, Rita Athas. “The mayor’s
leadership, along with an engaged business community and the ultimate
product – a city with one of the most
diversified economies, talented labor pools and an unmatched quality of
life – have allowed World Business Chicago to
attract and retain considerable direct investment in the metro area.”
Chicago recently claimed the “Top Metro”
title for direct investment in Site Selection’s
annual business investment survey of American cities. Approximately 230
projects totaling more than $6.5 billion in investment in the
Chicagoland area were submitted to the publication in consideration for
the award. Chicago has earned Site Selection’s
“Top Metro” title
for six out the past seven years.
“As we considered the nominations for the Top
Development Groups this year, it became clear that the most competitive
organizations shared several characteristics,”
said Ron Starner, director of publications for Site Selection. “They
provide market access to expanding companies, strong logistics support
networks, highly qualified and abundant labor pools, competitive
business costs and good old-fashioned ingenuity to get deals done."
In addition to the long list of relocations and expansions in Chicago
during 2007 that WBC assisted with (including Barry Callebaut USA,
Careerbuilder.com, HuaMei Capital, Think or Swim and many more), WBC’s
accomplishments for 2007 included:
The appointment of new WBC executive director, Rita Athas
The creation and distribution of digital media project, Cooler by
the Lake, aimed at attracting recent college graduates to the city
The opening of a Chicago business development office in Shanghai
Site Selection’s evaluation and ranking is
based on four objective categories: new jobs, new jobs per 10,000
residents, new investment amount and new investment per 10,000
residents. Site Selection also analyzed attributes including innovative
programs, leadership and customer service.
World Business Chicago (WBC) is a not-for-profit economic development
organization promoting metropolitan Chicago. WBC markets Chicago's
competitive advantages, coordinates business retention and attraction
efforts, and seeks to enhance Chicago's business-friendly environment.
WBC's Board of C-level corporate executives is chaired by Chicago Mayor
Richard M. Daley.
Site Selection magazine is an award-winning trade publication that
covers corporate real estate and economic development. With more
than 44,000 corporate executive readers, Site Selection provides timely
news and analysis on the biggest deals making news in project activity.
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