CHICAGO, May 2, 2007 – World Business Chicago (WBC) today was awarded the highest honor for economic development offices throughout the U.S. and Canada, Site Selection Magazine’s "Top Economic Development Group" for 2006. This is the second consecutive year that WBC is one of 10 groups selected from thousands to receive this honor.
Site Selection’s evaluation of top economic development agencies is considered the "industry’s scoreboard." The magazine chooses the top 10 based on job creation, capital investment and innovative leadership. WBC’s success is attributed to assisting in $3.1 billion in capital investment and the creation of 15,144 new jobs for the Chicago region in 2006.
"Chicago’s economy is thriving because leaders of the public and private sector work together, through organizations like World Business Chicago, to attract new investment from around the nation and around the world," said Mayor Richard M. Daley. "World Business Chicago is a public-private partnership that benefits the entire metropolitan area."
The distinction comes just after Chicago claimed the title of "Top Metro" in the March issue of Site Selection, the magazine’s annual business investment survey of American cities. The city was credited with luring young high-tech talent, to coincide with its 165 corporate facility projects totaling $5 billion in capital investment in 2006. Chicago has earned Site Selection’s "Top Metro" title for five out the past six years. "The Chicago area attracted more than $5 billion in investment in 2006 and the second-largest number of new jobs, making World Business Chicago more than deserving of this recognition," says Mark Arend, Editor-in-Chief of Site Selection Magazine. "In addition, Chicago was the number one Metro Area in our March issue Top Metros ranking, so the business development efforts of World Business Chicago are clearly paying off."
"Mayor Daley has created one of the best cities in the world to live and work in, in turn creating one of the most diversified high-end talent pools within three or four miles of downtown," said Paul O’Connor, executive director of World Business Chicago. "The Mayor’s unique leadership, along with a strong partnership with the private sector, has allowed World Business to Chicago to flourish by promoting all that Chicago has to offer for businesses and individuals."
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 submitted innovative projects including:
- The re-launch of the WBC Web site: www.worldbusinesschicago.com
- The City’s USOC (United States Olympic Committee) Community Partnership – the program aims to increase public awareness of Olympic and Paralympic sports by hosting USOC initiatives and events
- EXIT Chicago – a Chinese tourism magazine focusing on Chicago produced by WBC (EXIT is the only outbound travel magazine associated with the China National Tourism Association), along with extensive additional outreach to China
Additionally, Chicago submitted new facilities including EA Sports’ Regional Headquarters, the Elysian Hotel, Fordham Spire, Trump International Hotel and Tower and many more.
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.
Media Contact: Karley Sweet
ksweet@worldbusinesschicago.com | 312.553.4658
