(Site Selection Magazine) - North Central Illinois (the Ottawa-Peru Micropolitan Area) ranked in America's Top 40 for economic development growth, progress and success based on new projects in 2017, based on the annual Governor's Cup report published by SIte Selection Magazine. NCI is the top ranked micropolitan area in the State, and Chicago the top Metropolitan area in the nation. Illinois actually ranked third in the Nation, based on economic development projects that resulted in new investment, new tax revenue, and new jobs. Texas ranked number one for projects, followed by Non-Right-to Work Midwestern States, Ohio and Illinois.
North Central Illinois received recognition based on New Manufacturing Projects by ADM, Diversifoam, Starved Rock Wood Products, and Silica Sand. Importantly, the region continued to promote economic diversity with over 350 manufacturers, including 62 foreign-owned firms. Over 13 percent of the working population is in manufacturing.
The region, with a population of 154,000, actually has a larger population than 100 of the designated Metro areas in the nation. North Central Illinois is classified as a micropolitan area because there is no central city of 50,000 population in the region.