Fueling Chicagoland’s Competitive Economy

Unleash Chicago's Economic Potential with World Business Chicago. As the city's premier public-private economic development agency, we drive growth, expansion, and innovation across all industries. From corporate attraction to business marketing, our expert team sources, manages, and executes projects that create quality jobs, promote livable communities, and build essential infrastructure. Partner with us to tap into Chicagoland's vibrant ecosystem and discover why we're ranked among the world's best for business and innovation.

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CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL GALA TO CELEBRATE GLOBAL LEADERSHIP & CHICAGO’S ROLE ON THE WORLD STAGE

CHICAGO, Oct. 8, 2024 – World Business Chicago announces the 2024 Chicago International Gala will occur on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at the Field Museum of Natural History. The event…

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The WBC Research Center

Unlock unique insights for informed strategic decisions

The WBC Research Center delves deep into Chicagoland’s economic landscape, tracking its evolution, growth, and dynamics. Our team publishes white papers and reports on current trends and topics affecting Chicagoans. We take a data-driven approach to develop informed conclusions and recommendation to foster a more inclusive economy across the city and greater Chicagoland region.

  • Gain insights into industry and economic shifts.
  • Access user-friendly data and rankings to inform decisions.
  • Simplify your approach to local incentives while investing in growing industries.
  • Stay informed with our Economic Dashboard, tracking our diverse economy.
  • Data-driven approach to trends and topics through the Chicago Business Bulletin.

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    Site Selection Top U.S. Metro

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    Gross Regional Product

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    Largest US Metro Economy

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    Fortune 500 Companies

Doing Business in Chicago

Why Chicago

Who We Are

WBC drives inclusive economic development

We provide technical assistance and programs to drive corporate attraction and relocation, corporate expansion, and business marketing.

We source, identify, and manage economic development projects for both the City of Chicago and Chicagoland, in partnership with economic development leaders across a seven-county region.

Our Mission

Our mission is to drive inclusive economic growth and job creation, support businesses, and promote Chicago as the leading global city to help our existing companies expand as well as attract new companies.

Our Vision

Our vision is to make Chicago the most business-friendly city in the world by becoming a role model for truly inclusive economic growth, ensuring that all Chicagoans prosper through equitable economic development.

Key Industries

Chicagoland's Strengths

We work to expand and grow five industry sectors in which Chicago and Chicagoland have a competitive advantage and that promise the highest growth over the next decade: Life Science and Healthcare, Food & Agtech, Transportation & Logistics, Manufacturing, and Fintech, supported by our focus on two underlying growth pillars: Cleantech & Quantum Computing.

See Our Work
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Food & AgTech

The city's proximity to the nation's most productive farmland, plus a vibrant tech ecosystem, and an extensive transportation network has grown this historic & innovative industry into the nation's Food & Agtech capital.

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Fintech

The third highest employment numbers in the finance and insurance sector are here in Chicago- the city with the most diverse economy among US metros.

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Cleantech & Quantum Computing

The dynamic technological and green ecosystems benefit from Chicago's diverse range of industries, allowing for a cross-pollination of ideas for rapid commercialization and practical applications.

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Life Sciences & Healthcare

A future powerhouse industry for Chicagoland- Life Science and Healthcare are concentrated in and around the central business district for Chicago, with more lab space than ever.

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Manufacturing

We have one of the largest manufacturing industries in the US, dubbing us, "The City that Works."

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Transportation & Logistics Tech

As a top market for logistics tech, we are the nation's transportation and logistics hub serving as a crossroads of innovation and moving freight and people

Our Key Initiatives

Accelerating Connections Across the World

  • Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnerships

    A regional economic collaboration between Chicago and the Seven Counties: Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will.

  • Chicagoland Climate Investment Alliance

    Together, we are amplifying climate tech innovation and fostering a sustainable future for all with key partners.

  • Talent and Workforce

    WBC connects you to the Chicago talent pool, including the robust network of higher education institutions, workforce development agencies, and government initiatives to build the workforce necessary for your business to succeed.

  • Chicago Sister Cities International

    A WBC initiative to connect Chicago with its 28 sister cities through core initiatives in the areas of cultural arts and tourism, global education, international business, and government exchange.

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