Kankakee County Joins Illinois Delegation at SelectUSA Summit in Washington, D.C.
KANKAKEE, IL – June 12, 2017 – For the first time, Kankakee County will be represented at the premier U.S. foreign direct investment summit SelectUSA in Washington, D.C. Hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration from June 18 to 20, the event is expected to draw more than 2,600 attendees and 1,100 vetted global investors.
Representing the Economic Alliance will be Director of Marketing & Business Attraction Lisa Wogan, who has begun setting meetings with prospective investors seeking expansion or new greenfield development in the biotechnology, food processing, energy, metals and machinery, chemicals and hospitality sectors. Kankakee County and the other 18 Illinois communities represented at SelectUSA will operate from the Intersect Illinois Pavilion, #429.
Intersect Illinois reported $1.6 billion in foreign direct investment in Illinois as a result of last three summits.
“The Alliance is thrilled to have been extended an invitation to participate at SelectUSA this year,” remarked Wogan. “We are already working to highlight Kankakee County’s central U.S. location, proximity to Chicago, outstanding industrial growth and skilled workforce, and look forward to inviting overseas prospects back to the community to see our market and assets firsthand.”
“Kankakee County is one of the few places in Greater Chicago with abundant, affordable, utility- and rail-served land,” added Alliance President/CEO Tim Nugent. “This includes 1,400 acres of industrial TIF and Enterprise Zone-eligible property at the new I-57 interchange at Bourbonnais Parkway. We anticipate significant interest from SelectUSA attendees.”
In conjunction with SelectUSA 2017, the Economic Alliance has launched the “Turn Up the Volume in Kankakee County” campaign, which includes a 2-minute promotional video produced by Ravenspring Creative and associated print materials. Watch “Kankakee County, Illinois, Industrial Market 2017 – Turning Up the Volume” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhghk9nug8I.
Among Kankakee County distinctions promoted in the campaign and at SelectUSA 2017 include:
· Ranking by Milken Institute as the #1 Small Metro in Illinois for Job & Tech Growth – 2013, 2014, 2016
· $1.2 billion in major capital investment 2014-16
· Significant industrial presence of 9 Fortune and Global 500 companies
· Forbes Best Small Places for Business 2016 ranking as the #7 Metro in the USA for Cost of Doing Business
The Economic Alliance of Kankakee County is a public-private partnership that works to create jobs and expand the economic base by improving the local business climate. Working under Kankakee County’s 2014-19 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), the Alliance is challenged to help spur $500 million in new business investment and 500 new jobs, along with assisting 150 prospective new businesses. For more information, visit kankakeecountyed.org or phone 815.935.1177.
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