ILLINOIS WINS 2017 GOLDEN SHOVEL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AWARD
FROM AREA DEVELOPMENT MAGAZINE
Awarded for the large numbers of high-impact economic development projects that resulted in significant investment and job creation
Chicago, June 20, 2017 – Congratulations are in order for the state of Illinois and the combined work of economic development organization at Intersect Illinois and the Department of Commerce and Economic Development, as the state was named a 2017 Golden Shovel Awards winner from Area Development Magazine. These awards recognize states compiling healthy rosters of new and expanded facilities, and Illinois won the 12+ Million Population Category.
Per the magazine, Area Development’s annual Gold and Silver Shovel Awards recognize states for their achievements in attracting high-value investment projects that will create a significant number of new jobs in their communities. The group collected information from all 50 states about their top-10 job-creation and investment projects initiated in 2016 (only those projects that actually had monies invested, “broke ground,” began an expansion, started new hiring, etc. were considered). Based on a combination of weighted factors — including the number of new jobs to be created in relation to the state’s population, the combined dollar amount of the investments, the number of new facilities, the diversity of industry represented — five states achieving the highest weighted overall scores were awarded Area Development’s 2017 Gold Shovels in five population categories: 12+ million, 8+ to 12 million, 5+ to 8 million, 3+ to 5 million, and fewer than 3 million. Runners-up in each of these population categories were awarded 2017 Silver Shovels.
“Intersect Illinois is proud to have been a part of many of these deals to help bring Illinois to the forefront of the business world,” stated COO Andria Winters. “With the combined forces of the state’s transport infrastructure, central location, highly-educated workforce, venture capital and innovation, quality of life, and available resources, it is no wonder that business are recognizing the opportunities that lay in Illinois.”
The projects that put Illinois into the top included Amazon’s increased expansion in the state, with its projected total of over 7,000 jobs across Illinois. Other job wins include the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles plant and the Magna Exteriors investment in Belvidere, along with the Rivian Automotive plant in Normal. Vetter Pharmaceutical’s project in Des Plaines, the Target distribution center in Dekalb and the numerous headquarter moves by many companies to Chicago also gave Illinois its edge. The Rivian Automotive project was named one of the Large Job-Creating Projects Of The Year and Amazon’s expansion into Edwardsville, Romeoville, Monee, and Joliet was named one of the E-Commerce Projects Of The Year.
“Illinois is a global hub for businesses across all industries due to our strategic location and world-class workforce,” said Illinois Department of Commerce Director Sean McCarthy. “At the heart of the Midwest, we boast an unparalleled logistics infrastructure that gives easy access to the majority of North America and makes Illinois a perpetual contender for companies looking to invest and grow.”
The award called out the following 2016 top Projects:
2016 Top Projects: Illinois
Population: 12.83 Million
Company
City
N/E
Job Creation
Investment
Industry
1.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Belvidere
E
300
$350 million
Automotive
2.
Rivian Automotive
Normal
N
1,000
$175 million
Electric Vehicles
3.
Magna Exteriors
Belvidere
N
443
$42 million
Automotive Parts
4.
Amazon
Edwardsville, Romeoville, Monee, Joliet
N
4,500
$355 million
Fulfillment Centers
5.
Vetter
Des Plaines
N
300
$320 million
Medical Devices
6.
Target
Dekalb
E
450
$50 million
Distribution Center
7.
AAR Corp.
Rockford
N
500
$40 million
Aircraft MRO
8.
Paylocity
Schaumburg
N
500
$29 million
Headquarters
9.
Berner Food & Beverage
Dakota
E
200
$70 million
Food Processing
10.
American Academy of Pediatrics
Itasca
N
480
$50 million
Headquarters
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About INTERSECT ILLINOIS
Intersect Illinois works in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Focusing on the state of Illinois’ economic development efforts, Intersect Illinois was established as a private entity with greater flexibility to actively pursue prospects, and market this great state.
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