Why Chicago?

• Cost-Effective Business Environment

  • Large business ecosystem at lower costs than other major U.S. metros

  • Ideal for scaling without sacrificing quality or access

• Innovation & Tech Leadership

  • #2 in the U.S. for Fortune 500 HQs

  • Home to 20+ unicorns, 24 corporate innovation centers

  • $9.7B in growth capital raised in 2021, including $7B in VC

  • Over 100 higher education institutions & top-tier STEM talent

• Unmatched Infrastructure & Logistics

  • O’Hare: one of the most connected airports globally

  • 7 Class I railroads + third-largest inland port in the U.S.

  • Major national hub for freight, air, and ground transportation

• Diverse & Resilient Workforce

  • 3rd largest labor market in the U.S.

  • Over 200,000 new jobs created in the past year

  • No single sector dominates employment (max 14%), ensuring economic stability

• International Trade Hub

  • Functions like a “small country” in terms of trade volume

  • Strong ties to major global trading partners

  • Globally connected and business-friendly

• Proven Track Record of Investment

  • 152 pro-Chicago business decisions in 2023 alone

  • Ranked #1 in the U.S. for corporate relocations and expansions for 9 consecutive years

Why It Matters for the Chamber’s Mission

• Strengthens our case to attract French businesses to the Midwest

• Reinforces Chicago’s positioning as a transatlantic launchpad

• Validates Chamber efforts around business development, hosting, and visibility services

Want to know more? Discover World Business Chicago report