You might think that a wind power company would be particularly attracted to a place nicknamed “the windy city,” but it was for far more practical business reasons that Goldwind USA, the world’s fourth-largest wind turbine manufacturer, decided to locate its North American headquarters in Chicago.
Goldwind is the U.S. arm of China-based Xinjiang Goldwind Science and Technology and they are a world leader in renewable energy. Twenty employees are currently working in the new office at 200 W. Madison and Goldwind has set its sights on even more robust expansion in the near future.
At the recent dedication event for the new offices, Goldwind USA CEO Tim Rosenzwieg told attendees that “Chicago has everything our company needs to further our growth." He went on to thank World Business Chicago for their counsel and assistance while the company was deciding where to locate, saying that Goldwind “is looking forward to a very bright future in Chicago.”
WBC first met with Goldwind at their Beijing complex during an October 2009 trip to promote Chicago as an ideal location for business, and subsequently worked with them as they selected Chicago as their North American headquarters.
Goldwind has had a physical presence in Illinois since May 2010, with a utility-scale project underway in Lee County that will be completed later this year. The company has already created hundreds of U.S. jobs, including more than 100 construction and permanent jobs in Illinois in 2011.
This is a good example of the kind of job creation investment the new Chicago-China Friendship initiative will seek to encourage. Even though the initiative launched just a short time ago, the region has already seen its rewards. “When Chinese companies like Goldwind invest in Chicago, it means an increase in local jobs and tax revenue,” said World Business Chicago President Rita Athas.
Here is a fact some may find surprising: Goldwind is just one of 14 wind energy companies that are located in downtown Chicago. These companies’ decision to establish themselves in Chicago further enhances the city’s standing at the cutting edge of sustainable business. Innovative, renewable energy development will increasingly play a key role in the global economy. Thankfully, Chicago is well poised to be an important player in that future.
