On January 27, 2016, a bold idea took shape: a public-private partnership designed to drive economic momentum, attract global investment, and position Illinois as a world-class destination to live, work, and do business. That idea became the Illinois Business and Economic Development Corporation doing business as Intersect Illinois.
In the executive order establishing the organization, Illinois’ leaders made the case plainly: The state is home to a highly skilled workforce, innovative companies, top-tier universities, and a transportation network—roads, rail, waterways, and airports—that connect Illinois to every corner of the continent and the world.
Ten years later—on January 27, 2026—that original idea has become a force. Renamed, rebranded, and relaunched as the Illinois Economic Development Corporation, the organization stands at a milestone that reflects both how far Illinois has come and how ambitious the next decade will be.
This anniversary marks not just a decade of progress, but the starting line for the next era of growth.
Looking Back: A Decade of Wins
Since our founding in 2016, we’ve proudly served as the state’s centralized economic development engine—working hand-in-hand with local and regional partners, global corporations, civic leaders, and site selectors to ensure Illinois competes and wins.
The results speak for themselves:
- $12B+ in capital investment attracted to Illinois
- 21,000+ jobs created across every industry statewide
- 70+ development-ready sites in our Vetted Sites program
- 6 legacy and emerging industries elevated including advanced manufacturing, life sciences, clean energy, quantum tech, agriculture, and TDL
In Fiscal Year 2025 alone, Illinois EDC helped secure 15 major project wins (up 114% from FY24), representing $3 billion in investment and 1,200+ new jobs. We nearly doubled our Vetted Sites program, executed over 100 site visits, and launched targeted campaigns that position Illinois as a state built for business.
From the beginning, our organization has focused on laying the groundwork for businesses to succeed and for communities across Illinois to prosper.
Defining Projects That Shaped a Decade
2016-2017: Rivian and the Rise of Clean Mobility
Among the organization’s earliest landmark wins was Rivian Automative, which transformed a shuttered Mitsubishi plant into a next-generation electric vehicle manufacturing facility. Initially announced as a $40.5 million investment, Rivian’s Illinois footprint has expanded dramatically. Most recently, the company reaffirmed its long-term commitment with a $120 million supplier park, creating hundreds of direct and indirect jobs. Today, Rivian employs more than 7,400 people in Illinois and is preparing its Normal facility for production of its next-generation R2 model.
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe explains how Illinois’ business environment lends to Rivian’s growth and continued success.
2018: Salesforce Tower Chicago
Salesforce announced plans to expand its regional headquarters with the development of Salesforce Tower Chicago, committing to 1,000 new jobs, a goal the company reached ahead of schedule. The 57-story, LEED-certified tower opened in 2023 and now anchors Chicago’s Wolf Point, supporting more than 2,200 employees assigned to the building.
2019: Ford’s $1 Billion Commitment
Ford Motor Company announced a $1 billion investment in its Chicago Assembly and Stamping Plants, launching three new SUV models and adding 500 jobs. In 2024, Ford celebrated 100 years of manufacturing in Chicago, with more than 5,700 employees statewide.
Ford is a pillar of Illinois’ automotive legacy—powering more than a century of manufacturing leadership while remaining a critical anchor in the state’s modern automotive and advanced manufacturing supply chain.
2020: Meta’s DeKalb Data Center
Meta (formerly Facebook) announced its DeKalb data center as part of an investment exceeding $1 billion, requiring more than 1,200 skilled trade workers during construction and supporting 200+ long-term operational jobs. The facility officially opened in 2023.
2021-2022: Manufacturing and Food Innovation
From Kimberly-Clark’s Fulton Market commercial center to Readerlink’s distribution facility in Marion, Illinois continued to win projects that strengthened both urban and rural economies. In 2022, GAF broke ground on its $80 million insulation manufacturing plant in Peru, while BrightFarms expanded its hydroponic greenhouse footprint in Yorkville, supplying fresh produce across the Midwest.
2023-2024: Landmark Sustainability Projects Across Illinois
Texas-based Manner Polymers launched a first-of-its-kind solar-powered PVC compounding plant in Mount Vernon, representing a major industry landmark for sustainability in the heart of Southern Illinois.
Manner Polymers Plant Manager Brian Reynolds introduces us to their state-of-the-art downstate facility.
With the largest manufacturing investment in decades, battery technology company Gotion decided to locate its $2 billion lithium battery plant in Manteno. Headcount is expected to reach 750 by the end of 2026. As of late 2025, Gotion had built its first five assembly lines.
Ymer Technology, the Swedish manufacturer of EV components for the heavy equipment industry, located its new U.S. headquarters in Buffalo Grove. The company invested $5.7 million to produce cooling technology and thermal management systems for EVs and will create more than 30 jobs.
2025: Quantum, Copper, and the Future of Industry
Wieland, a leading global supplier of high-quality copper and copper alloy solutions, announced their $500 million modernization project in East Alton, reinforcing Illinois’ leadership in advanced materials.
President of Rolling & Recycling, North America, and SVP of Wieland Group Greg Keown credits the crucial support from state-level partners that made the Wieland project possible.
Hailing from Silicon Valley, quantum tech company PsiQuantum committed $1 billion+ investment as the anchor tenant in the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP), which broke ground in 2025—cementing Illinois’ role as a global hub for next-generation computing.
Quantum projects that followed include IBM’s commitment to serve as the anchor tenant of the National Quantum Algorithm Center and the IQMP, EeroQ, Infleqtion, and Pasqal all establishing commitments to Illinois.
Growing Up: Intersect Illinois Becomes Illinois EDC
In 2025, Illinois turned opportunity into momentum and momentum into results. To meet the demands of an increasingly competitive global economy, Intersect Illinois transformed our brand to the Illinois Economic Development Corporation.
The new name and brand reflect clarity of purpose and deeper alignment with statewide economic priorities. Illinois EDC’s strategy is anchored in three pillars:
- Elevating Illinois’ global profile through intentional, industry-specific marketing
- Accelerating company decisions with concierge-style support and custom market intelligence
- Expanding investment opportunities by helping businesses navigate state programs and incentives more effectively with speed and precision
Our refreshed logo—a modern silhouette of Illinois—reflects momentum, unity, and progress. Geometric shapes nod to the state’s diverse regions and agricultural roots, while an upward arrow conveys ambition and forward momentum. The colors reinforce our mission: Blue symbolizes innovation, transparency, confidence, and one of our greatest assets—water. Green represents growth, resilience, and sustainability, as well as our leadership in agriculture, clean energy, and biofuels.
As Illinois EDC, we are laser-focused on attracting and retaining top talent, driving innovation, and securing corporate investment. Our new name removes any ambiguity about our mission: to make Illinois the premier destination to live, work, and do business.
What’s Ahead: The Illinois EDC Vision
Guided by the State’s Five-Year Economic Growth Plan, Illinois EDC is doubling down on six high-growth sectors:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Next-Generation Agriculture, Agtech, and Food Processing
- Clean Energy Production and Manufacturing
- Quantum, AI, and Microelectronics
- Life Sciences
- Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics
We will continue to lead with data, strategy, and Team Illinois collaboration—operating as a high-impact partner for businesses looking to expand, relocate, and grow.
Ranked #1 in the Midwest for workforce development (and #3 nationwide), plus #2 in the U.S. for corporate expansions and relocations (with Chicago the #1 metro nationwide) by Site Selection magazine, Illinois is recognized today as a top state for business.
We’re bigger. We’re better. We’re bolder.
And we’re just getting started.
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