Chicago Wins Economic Development Industry's
Highest Award for New Corporate Investment and Expansion

Chicago is the top U.S. city for business investment according to Site Selection Magazine. The annual award is the industry standard for economic development in the U.S. 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 consistently leads the nation in business investment and expansion.  "Chicago's victory -- its third consecutive win and sixth in the last seven years -- was so dominant that its project count more than doubled runner-up metro Cincinnati and accounted for the vast majority of Illinois' 362 facility announcements statewide," the magazine stated.

The article goes on to say, "In fact, a case could be made that Chicago propped up a Midwestern economy that was hit with automotive plant closings and job layoffs in many traditional manufacturing centers."

"The fact that we continue to be recognized confirms that Chicago is a global competitor with a strong, diversified economy," said Mayor Richard M. Daley. "The city's abundant business resources combined with its uniquely skilled and diverse workforce makes Chicago an ideal location to do business."

Additionally, the article sites Chicago's central location as a key factor in companies choosing the city.

"Our primary asset is our location," says Rita Athas, the new executive director of World Business Chicago. "Our location in the center of the country gives us a huge advantage. We are the only dual hub in North America with our airports. We have an intermodal container port. As a result, over 50 percent of all freight that's transported across the U.S. passes through Chicago."

The Chicago Urban League recently released a research report entitled "The Future of Economic Development for African Americans in the City of Chicago, 2008-2018," in partnership with Global Business Network, a consulting firm specializing in scenario planning.

The "Futures Study" was commissioned to "better understand the future of African American economic development in the Chicago metropolitan area and how that development will affect Chicago's position in the global economy." The study is based on the premise that the economic advancement of the city's 1.1 million African American residents -- 37% of the total population -- is inextricably linked to the economic future of the city of Chicago as whole; improving the economic condition of this community is critical to Chicago's global competitiveness.

The Futures Study drew on independent research, an opinion poll conducted by the Nielsen Company, and expert focus groups to identify the most critical drivers of economic change in the African American community. Two key factors emerged: (1) educational achievement and (2) entrepreneurship and workforce development are keys to economic success. The report points out current shortcomings on both factors in Chicago's African American communities and describes challenges to implementing positive change.

Finally, four possible future scenarios (through the year 2018) are presented for African Americans in metropolitan Chicago, based on the degree to which positive change can be achieved in terms of education and entrepreneurship and workforce development. Intuitively, the best outcome results from Chicago invests heavily -- and smartly -- in a broad range of initiatives: public education, business attraction/retention, innovation, human capital development, and entrepreneurship. Maintaining the status quo on either key factor is shown to result in less-than-optimal results, failing to maximize the economic benefits to African Americans and Chicago as a whole.

The Futures Study concludes with a list of 20 "Priority Policy Responses" including:

- Changing public school funding formulas and overall funding

- Strengthening public school curriculum, school-business partnerships, and incentives for innovation

- Emphasizing educational engagement -- teacher training and parental involvement

- Creating business incentives and other programs to encourage location in economically disadvantaged areas and development of minority-owned businesses

- Expanding business support services and broadening access to existing services

- Building on existing programs that support at-risk youth and African American males

- Augmenting the Chicago Urban League's role as a convener of key policy stakeholders

For many people on earth, there are precious few things in life that transcend what it means to be cool. Enter, robots. 

On February 28th, in front of a packed house at the UIC Pavilion, the 2008 FIRST Midwest Robotics Competition got underway. It didn't stop until the last robot was standing... er, um, rolling.

It was a banner year for FIRST Midwest, with over 42 talented teams in the field and an arena seeing daily attendance well beyond 3,000. This year's winners will compete at the 2008 FIRST National Championship being held April 17-19 in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Congratulations to all the parents, teachers, engineers, sponsors and students for an incredible job well done!

Some historical perspective should be put in place:

The FIRST Robotics Competition has grown into a multinational competition that teams up science and engineering professionals with young people to solve an engineering design problem in an intense and competitive way.

The program is truly life-changing and registers a 10 on the fun meter. Back in 2004, the competition reached more than 20,000 students on over 900 teams in 27 competitions. The teams come from Canada, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, Great Britain, and almost every U.S. state. The competitions are high-tech, fast-paced spectator sporting events. The end results are a product of focused brainstorming, real-world teamwork, dedicated mentoring, project timelines, and serious deadlines.

Colleges, universities, corporations, businesses, and individuals all provide scholarships to participants. The competition demonstrates to students that the technological fields hold fantastic opportunities and that the basic concepts of science, math, engineering, and invention can be exciting for all involved.

Paul Gudonis, President of FIRST, was on scene to launch the 2008 Midwest Regional. A graduate of Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering, Paul has been a tireless champion for FIRST around the globe. It was great to have him back in Chicago this year. 

Senator Dick Durbin arrived to welcome the screaming fans on Saturday morning. Written greetings from Mayor Daley joined the program as well. Sponsoring professionals gathered from Baxter, Abbott, Motorola, Boeing, Caterpillar, and countless others. All echoed the importance of increased attention on math & science in the classroom and beyond -- a much appreciated message.

A very special thanks should be extended to Dan Green of both FIRST and Chicago's own Motorola. He wears 20 hats at once, acting as mentor, coach, fundraiser, emcee, friend and father. His dedication is an inspiration to us all.  In addition, kudos to Dennis Roberson of IIT and the hard working individuals of the Organizing Committee, the Executive Advisory Board, and the entire FIRST staff for having the vision and the heart to make this event a success year after year.

If you would like to learn more about FIRST or would like to participate visit the website at www.midwestfirst.org. National organization information can be found at www.usfirst.org.