Just 90 minutes from Chicago, North Central Illinois (the 3-county region at the Interstate 80-39 Corridor) is a dynamic business location for new industrial development projects in the Midwest. Industrial prospect inquiries to North Central Illinois EDC have increased over 400 percent over the past 2 years. Expanded Multi-channel Marketing has peaked more interest from Executives, Brokers, Consultants, and Developers. Foreign and domestic companies including ADM, Xignux, Fliegl and Diversifoam, are making major investments in this Interstate corridor which already boasts 350 manufacturers and 7,000 companies.
With unequaled multi-modal transportation advantages, this region of Illinois is the Top Logistics Center in North America, where Chicago Metro ranks as the number one business expansion location in the USA. North Central Illinois (population 154,000) is also one of the top 40 micropolitan areas for Industrial Expansion and Investment in the nation.
Mexican Manufacturer Adding 100 More Jobs in Region
Mexican Industrial corporation, Xignux, has completed acquisition of American Bare Conductor in La Salle (North Central Illinois) and will be adding 100 employees to the current workforce of 41 by 2019.
The 290,000 square foot LaSalle facility is now part of Xignux’ Viakable CME Wire & Cable division (VKMUSA) manufacturing electric wire and cable. Xignux is an industrial consortium based in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico which employs more than 20,000 people worldwide.
“We are happy to be in La Salle and grow our business in the Illinois Valley,” stated Adolfo Riveron, chief executive officer of Viakable La Salle.
The North Central Illinois region already boasts 62 Foreign Owned Manufacturing operations. Intersect Illinois, the State Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and North Central Illinois EDC are actively promoting more Foreign Direct Manufacturing Investment in Illinois. This job-creating acquisition by Xignux demonstrates the profit-making advantages of Illinois, which is the fifth largest state for Foreign Direct Investment.
Fortune 200 Company Builds $160 Million New Plant
Fortune 200 company, Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) will soon be opening a newly constructed $160 million flour milling facility off the BNSF Mainline Railroad in Mendota (North Central Illinois) The mill will employ at least 60 people and grind different varieties of wheat in order to meet the demand of bakers throughout the Midwest. ADM operates 5 facilities in North Central Illinois. ”We are able to meet ongoing demand growth, drive efficiencies, use new technologies, and leverage our capabilities. We are pleased to continue investing here,” said Mark Kolkhorst, President of ADM Milling.
German Company Establishes North American Headquarters Here
German firm, Fliegl Agrartechnik, the largest manufacturer of agricultural trailers worldwide, has relocated its North American Headquarters operations from Elkhart, WI. to North Central Illinois (Utica, IL) to serve dealers and customers more efficiently. Fliegl is investing in expanding its presence in the North American market. The Utica facility increases the capability to maintain the demand Fliegl is seeing with their steady growth in North America.
Fliegl produces push-off trailers, dump trailers, manure tankers and provides solutions for the transport and forestry technology. Currently, Fliegl has 29 locations in 20 different countries and employs over 1,000 people worldwide. The German company has its headquarters in Mühldorf, Bavaria.
Other major recent manufacturing expansions included Diversifoam Products, Northern White Sands, Starved Rock Wood Products, and U.S. Silica, all resulting in the creation of nearly 200 new jobs. The successful connection between Metro Chicago and the Interstate-80-39 Corridor of North Central Illinois, provides a profit-making opportunity for hundreds of manufacturing, technology, and distribution companies.
“This continuing Industrial Growth demonstrates the Strength of our region for business investment,” said Jim Riley, chairman of the North Central Illinois Economic Development Corporation (NCI).
North Central Illinois is a 2,200 square mile region with a workforce of 410,000 people. Major distribution centers for Ace Hardware, Wal-Mart, Kohl’s, JC Whitney, SuperValu Foods, and Pet Smart are utilizing the advantages of an Interstate Highway Network close to Chicago and an available workforce.
Mark Peterson, President of Intersect Illinois, said “the North Central Illinois EDC (NCI) is doing what needs to be done… being focused on Competing and marketing the Region for New Business and new Good paying jobs. Intersect Illinois and our partners like NCI, know that Illinois is the largest economy in the Midwest and a business powerhouse. We are not afraid to Fight for new business investment,” he said.
Hundreds of Diverse manufacturers in North Central Illinois combine the Inter-Modal Advantages of Highway, Rail, Air, and Navigable River transportation with a Cost-saving Business Climate to serve customers around the world. The largest Inland Port in North America is accessible nearby.
“This area's location, logistics, tax base, and business climate are important for our success,” said David Mennie, president of Mennie Machine. “We ship worldwide, so cost-saving advantages here in North Central Illinois make a difference.”
Corporate executives, top brokers, and major developers are discovering profit-making advantages in North Central Illinois. Active members of SIOR, CoreNet Global, AIRE-Brokers, and Site Selectors Guild are utilizing this information to help serve their clients. For more information on the region, check out the website at www.NorthCentralIllinois.org or call 815-224-0645.