Chicagoland: America’s #1 Metro for Corporate Relocation & Expansion

This week, Site Selection Magazine once again recognized Chicago as the Top Metro in the United States for corporate relocation and investment. This ranking, based on real project data, reflects the city’s enduring strength as a business hub—a place where companies don’t just land— but expand and thrive.

Announced on Monday, March 4, this recognition was celebrated the following day with hundreds of people at 360 CHICAGO ’s event marking the city’s 188th birthday. The celebration was a fitting tribute to Chicago’s legacy as an economic powerhouse and global business leader. Link to event photos.

Chicago: A Magnet for Talent, Business, and Innovation

With an iconic skyline set against the largest freshwater lake in the U.S., Chicago offers a world-class quality of life that attracts top talent and global enterprises. Anchored by a leading academic and research ecosystem, the city provides an unparalleled talent pipeline, cutting-edge infrastructure, and a pro-business environment—making it the ideal destination for companies looking to grow, innovate, and succeed.

By the Numbers: Chicago’s Competitive Edge

?? #1 U.S. Metro for Corporate Relocation & Expansion (2024) Chicago outperformed its closest competitor, Dallas, by nearly 100 projects, reaffirming its status as the nation's top destination for business investment.

?? #3 Metro Economy in the U.S. ($860 Billion GDP) Chicagoland’s economy ranks between the 22nd and 23rd largest economies globally, just behind Poland and ahead of Belgium and Sweden.

?? O’Hare International Airport: A Global Trade Hub Ranked among the top U.S. ports by trade value in 2024, O’Hare handled over $295 billion in trade, accounting for 5.5% of all U.S. trade activity.

A Regional Powerhouse for Business Growth

?“When we set out to choose the location for our first utility-scale quantum computing site in the U.S., Chicago quickly rose to the top—not just for its infrastructure or geography, but because of the extraordinary leadership and shared vision at every level,” said Josh Richman , Executive Vice President, Market Development, PsiQuantum . “The seamless collaboration between the state, county, and city—alongside world-class universities, national labs, and industry partners—was a masterclass in execution, led by Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson. Chicago is cementing its status as a global innovation powerhouse, and we’re proud to play a role in shaping its future.”

Chicago’s continued success as the top metro for corporate investment is fueled by strategic partnerships like the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP)—a groundbreaking collaboration between the City of Chicago and seven neighboring counties. By working together, we are driving regional growth, fostering innovation, and ensuring that businesses—both global and homegrown—have the resources they need to expand.

From Fortune 500 headquarters to high-growth startups, Chicago continues to set the standard for business expansion, talent attraction, and economic resilience.

Why Chicagoland Business Leaders Agree the Nation’s #1 Metro for Corporate Expansion Keeps Winning

Chicagoland had nearly 100 more projects than #2 seed, Dallas—proof that the region’s unmatched talent, infrastructure, and collaboration continue to set the standard for business growth.

“Chicago’s number one ranking by?Site Selection Magazine?is based on real data—proving we’re winning in the metrics that truly matter,” said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson . “As the biggest 2024 project counted in this ranking, PsiQuantum’s decision to anchor its new quantum campus on the Southeast Side shows how companies are choosing Chicago for its talent, infrastructure, and strong business ecosystem at every level. Even more importantly, this major quantum investment has innovators around the world taking notice, and I am thrilled this development will revitalize and bring attention to a neighborhood that has been left out of economic development for far too long. We are committed to building upon the successes that have earned Chicago the number one spot and ensuring that all people can reap their benefits."?

Greg Bedalov , President & CEO of Choose DuPage: “For me, this reinforces an idea that many of us have been preaching for years: Regional collaboration works. When we come together as one Chicagoland, we have a stronger voice, we have a richer narrative, and we have a bigger, better value proposition, one that top businesses can’t ignore. If you want to see the impact of this collaborative approach, look at companies like Jel Sert. In 2024, Jel Sert expanded its West Chicago operations, retaining nearly 1,000 jobs and creating dozens more. GCEP played an integral part in that. And while the outcome was good for West Chicago, it’s also good for the entire Chicagoland region. When we retain, grow, and attract businesses here, we all win.”

Michael Buehler , McHenry County Board Chairman: “Site Selection Magazine’s accolade is further confirmation that the Chicago Metro area attracts world-class companies because of its world-class workforce, infrastructure and business climate. As we’ve seen in McHenry County in recent years with the expansion of General Kinematics, GCEP’s partnership model to attract new businesses and foster their growth makes us more and more attractive to job creators and investment. McHenry County is proud to join our county and municipal partners in celebrating this honor.”

Phil Clement , President & CEO, World Business Chicago: “This milestone underscores what we at World Business Chicago and our partners in the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership already know—businesses continue to choose Chicagoland because they see opportunity here,” said Phil Clement, President & CEO of World Business Chicago. “With a diverse and highly educated workforce, a robust transportation and logistics network, and a strong innovation ecosystem, our region provides companies with everything they need to succeed.

Kevin Considine , Chair, Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership, and President & CEO, Lake County Partners : "Year after year, Chicagoland proves itself as the premier destination for companies looking to establish, expand, and invest. Our collaborative approach ensures that businesses, regardless of their location in the region, have the resources and support to grow.”

Scott Gengler, Kendall County Board Vice Chairman: “The spirit of collaboration that GCEP brings to the entire Chicago region has brought real results in attracting businesses to Kendall County and all counties across the Chicago region. We aren’t surprised to see the area again recognized by Site Selection Magazine. The greater Chicago region has so much to offer businesses, and we are happy to continue to be a part of that success.”

Sandy Hart , Lake County Board Chair: “This latest accolade from?Site Selection Magazine?confirms what we’ve long known: our collective strengths—diverse talent, connectivity, and a spirit of innovation—make the Chicago Metro area a magnet for world-class companies.?In Lake County, expansion projects like those at Sysmex America, Inc. and ZF Industries are examples of how GCEP’s partnership model accelerates growth across the region, resulting in new and retained jobs and significant capital investment in our community.?I’m proud to join my fellow leaders in applauding every county, city, and neighborhood that contributed to this outstanding achievement.

Toni Preckwinkle , Cook County President: “Cook County is proud to have played a role in the Chicago Metro area being named the top U.S. metro for corporate relocation once again by Site Selection. The 2024 decision by PsiQuantum—a California-based startup—to anchor the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park in Chicago demonstrates how GCEP’s unified approach to business attraction and investment continues to pay off. This park will revolutionize our ability to process complex data regarding traffic management, health care, finance and more. Congratulations to our entire region for this well-deserved recognition and thank you to Site Selection for celebrating our shared successes.”

Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, Ed.D. , Will County Executive: “The Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership is delivering positive results for the region by increasing the number of high-wage, sustainable jobs for our residents. The Chicagoland area is a national economic powerhouse with a proven track record of attracting corporate expansions and relocations, such as Voortman Steel Machinery’s $54 million dollar investment into new jobs for eastern Will County last year. I applaud the collaboration between our partners, which has led to our region being named number one in the nation for corporate relocation for the 12th?year in a row.”

Corinne Pierog, Kane County Board Chairman: “A year ago, Kane County was seeking a unified approach to economic development, and we’ve successfully embraced that opportunity through strategic partnerships, including with the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership. We are now targeting investments and utilizing regional data, thanks to GCEP, to produce outcomes that benefit the residents of Kane County by attracting high-paying jobs, supporting industry, and driving long-term prosperity for our region."