We noted with interest Crain’s coverage of news related to the Fitch rating of DuPage County. Far from being “over,” or the homogeneous land of “ranch houses and ranch dressing,” DuPage is a vibrant, attractive, diverse county with residents who speak more than 70 languages and who hail from all over the globe.
The following is a summary of projects from 2012-2016. The information below was prepared by Choose DuPage from various sources. In some cases, information may be estimated.
2012
Ace Hardware
2222 Kensington Ct., Oak Brook
Type of Project: Lease Renewal
Investment: $28 Million
Jobs Created or Retained: 740
Edward Don
9801 Adam Don Pkwy., Woodridge
Type of Project: Headquarters
Square Feet of Development: 362,500
Investment: $25 Million
Jobs Created or Retained: 400
Ferrara Candy
One Tower Ln., Oakbrook Terrace
Type of Project: Headquarters
Square Feet of Development: 39,000
Jobs Created or Retained: Unknown
Greco and Sons Foods
1550 Hecht Dr., Bartlett
Type of Project: Expansion
Square Feet of Development: 33,000
Investment: $2 Million
Jobs Created or Retained: 100
Midwestern University Dental Clinic
345 Lacey Rd., Downers Grove
Type of Project: New Facility
Square Feet of Development: 193,200
Investment: $120 Million
Jobs Created or Retained: Unknown
Universal Technical Institute
2611 Corporate Dr., Lisle
Type of Project: New Facility
Square Feet of Development: 185,000
Investment: $37.5 Million
Jobs Created or Retained: 150
2013
Haynes Furniture/The Dump
2660 S. Highland Ave., Lombard and 164 N. Meadow Rd., Addison
Type of Project: New Retail & Warehouse Space
Square Feet of Development: 349,000
Jobs Created or Retained: 350
C. Cretors & Company
176 Mittel Dr., Wood Dale
Type of Project: Relocation
Investment: Unknown
Jobs Created or Retained: 95
Grundfos
2001 Butterfield Rd., Downers Grove
Type of Project: Relocation
Square Feet of Development: 11,000
Investment: $4.7 Million
Jobs Created or Retained: 40
Greencore Foods
10350 Argonne Dr., Woodridge
Type of Project: Expansion
Jobs Created or Retained: 150
Flavorchem
1528 Brook Dr., Downers Grove
Type of Project: Expansion
Square Feet of Development: 47,000
Investment: $7 Million
Jobs Created or Retained: Unknown
Orbus Exhibit & Display Group
9033 Murphy Rd., Woodridge
Type of Project: Headquarters
Square Feet of Development: 350,000
Investment: Unknown
Jobs Created or Retained: 300
2014
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
One Pierce Place, Itasca
Type of Project: Relocation
Square Feet of Development: 110,000
Jobs Created or Retained: 340
Addus Healthcare Inc.
2300 Warrenville Rd., Downers Grove
Square Feet of Development: 59,000
Investment: $9.4 Million
Jobs Created or Retained: Unknown
Ferrara Candy
201 Carlow Dr., Bolingbrook
Type of Project: New Facility
Square Feet of Development: 75,000
Investment: Unknown
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market
2650 Warrenville Rd., Downers Grove
Type of Project: Headquarters
Square Feet of Development: 40,000
Jobs Created or Retained: 100
True Heading USA
55 Shuman Blvd., Naperville
Investment: $55 Million
Jobs Created or Retained: 180
Sirva
1 Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace
Type of Project: Relocation
Square Feet Leased: 53,372
Jobs Created or Retained: Unknown
2015
Atlantic Packaging
700 Kimberly Dr., Carol Stream
Type of Project: New Facility
Square Feet of Development: 387,443
Investment: $40 Million
Jobs Created or Retained: 100
Corecentric Solutions Inc.
191 E. North Ave., Glendale Heights
Type of Project: New Facility
Square Feet of Development: 350,000
Investment: $17.5 Million
Jobs Created or Retained: 350
M&R Printing Equipment
440 Medinah Rd., Roselle
Type of Project: Lease
Square Feet of Development: 319,885
Investment: $19 Million
Jobs Created or Retained: 600
Robertshaw
1222 Hamilton Pkwy., Itasca
Type of Project: Headquarters
Square Feet of Development: 54,150
Investment: $6.5 Million
Jobs Created or Retained: 125
Semblex Corporation
900 Church Rd., Elmhurst
Square Feet: 98,233
Investment: $10 Million
Jobs Created or Retained: 186
Shorr Packaging Corp.
400 Ferry Rd., Aurora
Type of Project: Headquarters
Square Feet of Development: 242,732
Jobs Created or Retained: 140
Fellowes Inc.
1789 Norwood Ave., Itasca
Type of Project: New Facility
Square Feet of Development: 500,000
Investment: Unknown
Jobs Created or Retained: 125
DS Containers
DuPage Business Center, West Chicago
Type of Project: New Facility
Square Feet of Development: 300,278
Investment: Unknown
Jobs Created or Retained: 15
2016
American Academy of Pediatrics
345 Park Blvd., Itasca
Type of Project: Headquarters
Square Feet of Development: 183,000
Jobs Created or Retained: 480
The head of DuPage County’s economic development unit is plugging an unorthodox idea—better use of public transit, and even bicycles—as a critical step to boost the county’s job market.
In a panel presentation and a subsequent interview, new Choose DuPage President and CEO John Carpenter said “closing the last-mile commute issue” is one of four things the group will focus on to revitalize the county’s economy. Continue reading
Choose DuPage CEO John Carpenter is aggressively pursuing business in DuPage County. Before he speaks at Bisnow’s “State of the Suburbs” event, Aug. 23 at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center, John laid out four approaches he’s identified for further economic growth and development in the area. He’s an expert at the power of persuasion. Before John joined Choose DuPage last September, he was SVP at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, where he was responsible for public policy initiatives and leading the charge on legislative affairs. Prior to that he was VP of corporate affairs for American Airlines. John says he inherited a wonderfully talented staff that is dedicated to championing DuPage County as an complement to downtown Chicago as an economic generator. Here’s what John has planned to compel business leaders and commercial real estate professionals to, well, choose DuPage County for their next major projects.
Continue reading
Cushman & Wakefield announced that the Central Regional Offices of Hyundai Motor America (“HMA”) have relocated into TransAm Plaza Two in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.
Choose DuPage is pleased to announce Ron Lunt, partner at Hamilton Partners, has been named private sector co-chair of the Choose DuPage Economic Development Alliance, joining chairman of DuPage County Board and public-sector co-chair, Dan Cronin. Lunt will serve as elected private sector co-chair for a two-year term.
The building at 2100 Swift will have a new look, and many significant changes, including a set of windows that will allow natural light to flood the space.
Talk of adding gates on O’Hare’s west side and an underground people-mover are positive signals that the suburbs’ clout drought at the airport is over, according to DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin.
Written by: John A. Carpenter, President & CEO | Choose DuPage
Sure, Ronald McDonald is packing up and leaving Oak Brook, but we need to consider the McDonald’s move in context. The McDonald’s corporation is attempting to recuperate after an unshakable period of lethargy. As part of CEO Steve Easterbrook’s strategy in which he must slim down the burger chain by $500 million, he plans to outsource jobs to India with cheaper labor costs, terminate a regional office in Ohio, and has laid off hundreds of workers—400-plus last year alone.
The migration of the Golden Arches from its serene and economically secure campus in Oak Brook to Chicago should be seen as a justification to minimize square footage and lessen payroll by reducing the number of employees. The city of Chicago is fraught with soaring taxes, enormous pension debt and a business climate that’s suffocating job creators. DuPage County has so much more to offer. Our low unemployment, skilled and educated workforce, and growing business sector will remain long after the city of Chicago uses up its source of corporate Band-Aids. Just this year, Chicago’s credit rating was further diminished to basically “junk” status, the lowest grade among all major U.S. cities, except formerly bankrupt Detroit. DuPage County boasts a AAA bond rating due to its strong economy, fiscal management and healthy budgetary performance. In June, DuPage County dropped its sales tax by a quarter-cent, putting $36 million back into taxpayer pockets. Led by Chairman Dan Cronin, our county board ensures DuPage continues to be the economic development model for the Chicago region. A recent DuPage County audit shows economic activity throughout the community is booming as local commerce and business development flourish. DuPage maintains the lowest unemployment rate in the Chicago region, as it has for years. Our businesses are expanding and vacancy rates continue to decline. In 2015 alone, 3,792 jobs were created or retained and 105 new projects took shape in DuPage County with a total investment of $571 million. Similar numbers hold true for the past four years. The DuPage County education system provides both a skilled workforce for our employers and a solid base for our children. Over 92 percent of residents graduate high school, with half of them earning a bachelor’s degree or higher—the highest success rate in the state, and much higher than the national average of 32.5 percent. McDonald’s unfortunate move aside, DuPage County is alive and well. In fact, we are excited for the opportunity to soon be seeking new residents for an impressive Oak Brook complex with a super-sized opportunity inside DuPage County.
The completed western section of Illinois Route 390 is now officially part of the state’s tollway system.
