2019 ANNUAL REPORT

WillCountyCED.com

To Our CED Investors:

As leaders from business, government, and the nonprofit sector, you have created an environment in Will County that is

poised for continued robust economic growth. As investors, you have been the primary catalyst leading our community

forward into a new and exciting economic landscape.

We have seen an expansion of the economic base of Will County through new small business growth alongside corporate

and government investments in our economy. The role that Will County plays as an essential nexus for commerce

throughout the Midwest and the nation has been acknowledged and appreciated by leaders in Springfield and in

Washington, D.C. 2019 saw this appreciation turn to action in the form of more than $2 billion to be invested in the

County’s transportation infrastructure over the next half-decade.

We should be proud of our outsized role as a leader in transportation and logistics, but as we look to the future we will

seek to use this investment as a springboard to do more. We take pride in Will County’s diverse economy, including our

strong presence in health care, educational, entertainment, manufacturing and human service institutions. To continue to

lead as the region’s economic powerhouse, Will County must bolster its reputation as an ideal place to live, work, learn

and play. These tenets are the foundation of our future competitiveness.

The Will County Center for Economic Development continues its work to foster an environment that invites people to

live and work in Will County, invites entrepreneurs to innovate, and invites a diverse group of companies to locate, expand

and invest. We will look to our business and government leaders to not only invest in Will County, but also to invest in

developing the markers of quality of life in our community. We will look to you, our partners and allies, to help guide this

mission to defend and promote Will County and the opportunities for success for all our residents and businesses.

Thank you for your continued investment in the future of Will County and in the Will County CED.

David Livingston,

President, Lewis University

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

David Livingston President, Lewis University

2014-2019 2014-2019 2019 Average Job Growth Annual Growth Earnings per Job 4,532 4.4% $90,673

David Livingston President, Lewis University

New Jobs: Total Square Footage: Total New Investment:

5,800+ 11.6 Million $2+ Billion

CED in ActionFor 38 years the success of the CED has been the result of the Programs, Services and Guidance that we provide businesses looking to expand or relocate into Will County. The CED is a Strategic Partner in your business development project:

PROGRAMS • Business retention and expansion

assistance

• Marketing to and recruiting new businesses to Will County

• Access to State, County and local government incentives

• Economic development events and conferences

• Community economic development training for local officials

SERVICES

• Available sites and buildings information

• Demographic and labor force statistics

• Education and training resources

• Public and private utility information

• Comparative business cost analysis

• Development entitlement process

GUIDANCE• Development project management

from A to Z

• Federal, State and local government contacts and introductions

• Access to commercial and industrial brokers and developers

• Local, State and federal policy and program lobbying assistance

BY THE NUMBERS

2009 2014 2019 192,242 217,851 251,505

Will County Wages Will County Jobs

Unemployment Historically Low, Sets New Records2019 was a historic year for Will County as economic investment and growth led to the lowest unemployment rate in the County’s history! With unemployment rates falling steadily since the post-recession peaks, Will County is now on track to have 2018 and 2019 be the lowest two consecutive years ever. The ongoing success of Will County’s residents is the product of the work and dedication of many partners and organizations throughout the County. The CED is proud to be part of that success!

Source: BLS QCEW Source: BLS QCEW

Source: Federal Reserve

Source: EMSI 2019.3

Industry Focus – Manufacturing

Source: EMSI 2019.3

2014-2019 2014-2019 2019 Average Job Growth Annual Growth Earnings per Job 4,532 4.4% $90,673

2014-2019 2014-2019 2019 Average Job Growth Annual Growth Earnings per Job

3,146 2.5% $60,710

Industry Focus – Healthcare

2009 2013 2018 $7.6 billion $9.1 billion $11.7 billion

Will County Monthly Unemployment Rate, 1990 to 2019Recession

Crate & Barrel Plans

Fulfillment Center in RomeovilleThe 646,380 square foot building reflects a nearly $75 million investment with possible future expansion. Mayor John Noak said: “This project reinforces that Romeoville is a great place to do business, especially for multichannel retailers.” Romeoville was chosen after a three-state search.

WILL COUNTY 2019 HAPPENINGS

S&S Activewear Opens Sustainable DC in LockportS&S Activewear is relocating its wholesale apparel operations to a brand-new, 750,000 square foot sustainability-focused distribution center in Lockport. The new building received a Silver LEED rating from the U.S. Green Building Council and aligns with their mission by including important energy and sustainability features. “The Lockport facility provides significantly increased capacity for storage, along with state-of-the-art material–handling automation and technology,” President Jim Shannon says. “We’re excited to be part of the Lockport community.”

Avatar Expands University Park ProductionAvatar Corporation added new capabilities with their expansion and launch of Gateway Industrial Railroad. This new infrastructure supports Avatar’s growth in manufacturing of products for the food, drug and personal care industries, and also creates new opportunities to provide rail transfer and storage support throughout the area.

Park-N-Ride Deemed A Success...More to ComeThe I-55 express route from Plainfield has grown dramatically, enhancing workforce mobility and averaging 900 rides daily. The Pace Plainfield Park-n-Ride facility was completed this summer with 600 spaces, protective canopies and an indoor shelter.

Will County Home to the Largest Rooftop Solar Array in the MidwestMagid Glove, a producer of personal protective equipment in Romeoville, is home to the Midwest’s largest rooftop solar array. The solar generation system is comprised of 10,500 panels generating 3.5 MW of power, enough electricity to offset 100% of Magid Glove’s annual load! Mayor John Noak said: “When companies around the Midwest look toward large scale solar power, they’ll be turning their eyes toward Romeoville. Magid continues to champion innovation.”

Jackson Generation Underway in ElwoodJ-Power broke ground on their $1+ billion Jackson Generation project in September 2019 on a 30-acre site in Elwood. The new state-of-the-art 1,200-megawatt natural gas combined cycle power plant will provide enough energy to power 12 million homes and will help modernize and diversify the power grid. The new plant also has the ability to operate more flexibly than current power generation technology, giving the Jackson Generation plant the ability to supplement and support existing and future renewable energy assets in the region.

Diageo Reinvests in Plainfield OperationsDiageo embarked on the largest industrial project in the Chicago market in 2019 with their new 1.5 million square foot distribution center. This new project will support 525 existing jobs at the Plainfield location, home to Diageo’s technical center and full state-of-the-art production facility, which produces brands such as Smirnoff, Gordon’s, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, and more.

Target Chooses Will CountyTarget signed the largest lease on a spec building in the history of the Chicago industrial market when it inked a deal for 1.2 million square feet at the Rock Creek Logistics Center in Joliet. The new project will support Target store operations, including providing in-store marketing materials to stores nationwide.

Engineering & Technology firm chooses New Lenox for HQQuad Plus, a leading international systems integrator for manufacturing operations, has partnered with Northern Builders to construct a new 52,000 square foot headquarters in New Lenox. Quad Plus will employ 130 in the new facility, including management, engineering design and support team personnel.

Whiting Corporation Hosts Congresswoman Robin KellyWhiting Corporation, an industry leader in the American manufacturing of overhead cranes and railcar maintenance equipment, hosted Congresswoman Kelly and a rail leadership delegation at their headquarters and production facility in Monee. Whiting’s leadership team provided the group with a close look at Whiting’s Will County operations and took the opportunity to discuss the importance of freight rail transportation and legislation.

Lewis University Offers Drone DegreeLewis University has launched a new bachelor’s degree program in unmanned aircraft systems, giving students the direct experience and degree needed to lead the way in the dynamic and growing drone industry. The Unmanned Aircraft Systems industry is expected to generate an estimated 100,000 jobs and $82.1 billion in economic impact in the next decade.

New Innovation Hub Opens at Lewis UniversityThe Lewis University Innovation Hub, a Regional Business Incubator opened in 2019. The hub provides an avenue for entrepreneurial minds to expand their ideas into a fully operational business and offers access to resources that are not typically available to small businesses. “Our hope is that this Innovation Hub can be a place where entrepreneurs from all over the region can come and find support for their ideas utilizing the resources of our learning community,” said Dr. David Livingston, President of Lewis University.

Governors State University Creates Illinois’ First Supply Chain HubGovernors State University has established the Supply Chain Innovation Center and Business Incubator at their campus in University Park. The center will provide faculty consulting to businesses and startups, as well as employee training and management development programs to assist in the creation of new businesses and the creation and retention of jobs. Building on the university’s existing partnerships with industry and non-profit organizations in the region, the center will help drive both local and regional economic development, including in underserved communities in the region.

WeatherTech Expands Bolingbrook HQWeatherTech, a premier automotive accessories and OEM auto supplier and manufacturer, expanded its headquarters operations in Bolingbrook with construction of multiple new buildings at its campus along I-55. Will County serves as WeatherTech’s base to ship to 84 countries worldwide, and is home to its leadership, production, marketing, service, and even its factory store.

The Boulevard Project Kicks OffThe 171-acre project at I-55 and Route 30 features Costco as its anchor and includes plans to offer additional retail, restaurants, apartments and a possible hotel, plus more than 50 acres of open space. The joint project between Joliet and Plainfield is highlighted by natural flowing creeks, bridges and pedestrian-friendly elements.

New Luxury Apartments Near I-355Construction of a major multifamily residential and mixed-use project began at Highland Ridge, located in Lockport on 9.5 acres at I-355 and Archer Avenue. The project includes 240 new Class A apartments and plans to add more restaurant, retail and convenience amenities to the Archer Avenue corridor.

New Lenox Plans New Active Lifestyle CommunityFour Seasons, a new 55+ active lifestyle community, is coming next spring to the I-355 corridor. The project will include 612 single-family ranch homes, a clubhouse, pool and 1.65 miles of trails.

Business Incubator Celebrates Five YearsThe University of St. Francis celebrated the five-year anniversary of its business incubator with an open house in October. Since opening, the incubator has helped several business startups (53% of which have been women-owned and 71% of which have been minority owned) generate a total of over $500,000 in revenue.

First Level III NICU in Will County Coming to Silver Cross HospitalSilver Cross received approval to construct a 24-bed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Silver Cross Hospital’s new NICU will address a vital community need as the first level 3 NICU nursery in Will County. The new $12.8 million unit will occupy 13,000 square feet and will be located adjacent to existing services for mothers and babies through an expansion of the third floor of the hospital.

Hands-On Research at Joliet Junior CollegeThe Natural Sciences Department, in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey and the IL Dept. of Natural Resources, provides students with the opportunity to conduct experimental procedures and carry out tests working to curb the immediate and continuing threat the Asian carp species brings to aquatic ecosystems across and beyond the Midwest.

WILL COUNTY 2019 HAPPENINGSAmazon Adds Two New Will County OperationsAmazon’s sixth Will County project, a print- on-demand facility in Monee, opened in July. This is Amazon’s second Monee location, and will add up to 400 new jobs in their newly occupied 153,000 square foot facility.

Amazon announced their seventh Will County location in partnership with Venture One at Crossroads 55 Business Park in Channahon. The new million-plus square foot facility will employ more than 500 people and focus on fulfillment of large items. The new building is scheduled to open in October 2020.

GP Transco Moves HQ to Will CountyGP Transco broke ground on a new 40,000 square foot headquarters, which will bring 100 new jobs to Joliet. Founded in 2006, GP Transco provides transportation services to clients across the United States and Canada. Crain’s also ranked GP Transco 16th in its Fast 50 ranking of the fastest-growing Chicago businesses, the third time the company was recognized on this list.

Major Transportation Projects For Economic Development2019 was a banner year for transportation infrastructure funding in Will County. The number one priority highway project—the reconstruction of Interstate 80 from Minooka to New Lenox—received $1.2 billion from the state of Illinois through the ReBuild Illinois Capital Plan and the Five Year Multi Year Plan for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

Through the hard work of Will County legislators and local municipal and County officials, Governor JB Pritzker proclaimed the I-80 reconstruction as the “signature project” of ReBuild Illinois. The I-80 Coalition, a grassroots initiative made up of local and regional leaders in business, labor and government, helped push this project as a priority for the Illinois and national economies.

Other projects scheduled to receive funding from the $2.145 billion IDOT plans to invest in Will County in the next five years:

• I-57 at South Suburban Airport Interchange Project $205.5 million

• I-55 at Airport Rd. and Rte. 126 Interchanges $181.4 million

• I-55 at Illinois 129 and Lorenzo Rd. Interchanges $148.7 million

• I-55 at Rte. 59 Interchange Expansion Project $78.8 million

• Rte. 53 from Route 52 to Arsenal Rd. Improvement Project $50.1 million

CED’s Commitment To InfrastructureOver the past twenty years the CED has been at the center of moving big projects from idea to reality:

• The CED Will County Transportation Blueprint: First published in 2004, the Blueprint relies on transportation plans from over 60 jurisdictions to identify projects that will further the economic vitality of the County.

• The I-355 Extension: Connecting Interstate 55 with Interstate 80 in Will County improved congestion, safety and quality of life. It was the number one project in the first Blueprint. The CED-led Southern Alliance for the Extension (SAFE) was the business, labor and government grassroots initiative making sure the project was built.

• The Intermodal Economic and Infrastructure Impact Studies published in 2010 and 2012 provided Will County businesses and communities an understanding of the impacts of two large state-of-the art intermodal centers operating in the County.

• The Will County Community Friendly Freight Mobility Plan, published in 2017, was initiated by the CED’s Will County Freight Advisory Council and led to a collaborative effort of federal, state and local officials with the distribution and logistics industry. The plan established Will County as the Largest Inland Port in North America and identified over 90 transportation projects to move freight safely with less congestion in the region.

• The I-80 Coalition: Created by the CED in May 2018, the primary purpose of the Coalition is to accelerate the completion of the I-80 Project by 2023.

FOCUS ON INFRASTRUCTURE

2019KEY EVENTS

Will County Broker Showcase We again hit the road with the Will County development story and invited David Haigh, Exeutive VP of Industrial Services at NAI Hiffman to share with us why Will County will continue to be an economic bright spot in Illinois.

Eye-Opener Breakfast This mid-year meeting reviews the mission, services and benefits of the CED for its Investors. CED President & CEO John Greuling also offers insights on development, infrastructure and economic conditions in Will County.

Economic Development Boot CampOnce again the CED invited local elected officials, as well as public and private partners, to to learn and share ideas about their role in community economic development. The course provided 10 things elected officials need to know, a SWOT analysis exercise, and an emphasis on development of a strategic economic development plan.

Select USA SummitAs part of our focus on foreign direct investment, the CED partnered with Intersect Illinois to market Will County at the Select USA Investment Summit in Washington, D.C. The 2019 Summit brought together more than 1,000 international partners from 66 markets around the world.

2018 Annual Report to Investors Special guest David Bender, President & CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois, shared his thoughts on what we might see

as far as federal and state infrastructure funding. CED investors and guests also reflected on the successes of the past year and learned about plans for 2019. The Frank Turk Business and Community Achievement Award was presented to Mike Hennessy, President & CEO, United Way of Will County.

Economic Report: HousingThe importance of attracting and keeping millennials was a common theme shared with Will County business leaders with support from the Three Rivers Association of REALTORS®. Doug Pryor, CED Vice President, began with an economic report on housing and population trends in the County. Keynote speaker Lisa Herceg, director of business insights for the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), followed with an analysis of millennials and consumer housing trends.

WILL COUNTY CED BOARD OF DIRECTORSAMITA Health Adventist Medical Center Bolingbrook Bruce Christian

AMITA Health St. Joseph Medical Center* Robert Erickson Vice Chair

AT&T Illinois Jeff Adducci

BNSF Railway Company Eric G. Pitcher

Busey Bank* Steve Randich

Cadence Premier Logistics Rocky Caylor

CenterPoint Properties Carmine Bottigliero

Chicagoland Speedway & Route 66 Raceway* Scott Paddock

CIBC* Michael F. Rittof

CITGO Lemont Refinery Dennis Willig

City of Joliet* Robert O’Dekirk (Mayor)

City of Lockport Steven Streit (Mayor)

Comcast Sean McCarthy

ComEd - An Exelon Company John McCann

Cullinan Properties Ginger Benz

DeVry University Corey Ochall

Edward Jones Investments* Edward J. Dollinger

Exelon Corp. Marri Marchionda- Palmer

ExxonMobil Joliet Refinery* Monica Mainland

Filotto Professional Services* Robert F. Filotto Treasurer

First Midwest Bank* James M. Roolf

First Presbyterian Church Rev. Craig Herr

Gallagher Asphalt Corporation Charles J. Gallagher

Governors State University Elaine Maimon

Hamilton Consulting Engineers Howard Hamilton

Hanson Professional Services Mark Thompson

Harrah’s Joliet Casino & Hotel Randy Conroy

Heartland Bank and Trust Sandra Fleck

Hollywood Casino Joliet* Lydia Garvey

Joliet Area Chamber of Commerce Meghan Preston

Joliet Arsenal Development Authority Rick Kwasneski

Joliet Junior College* Judy Mitchell

Kavanagh, Grumley & Gorbold, LLC* Thomas Osterberger Past Chair

Kavanagh, Grumley & Gorbold, LLC* Bryan Kopman Gen Counsel

Legat Architects Patrick Brosnan

Lewis University* David Livingston Chair

McColly Bennett Commercial Jeff Bennett

Midland States Bank Christine Uram

NAI Hiffman Adam D. Roth

Nicor Gas Joe DelReal

Old Second National Bank Steve Marchio

Pace Suburban Transit Elizabeth Gonzalez

PW Commercial Real Estate Gerald Sullivan

Rasmussen College Diane Nowaczyk

Robinson Engineering Russ Prekwas

Ruettiger, Tonelli & Associates, Inc.* Rodney Tonelli

Silver Cross Hospital* Ruth Colby

The Herald-News/Shaw Media Steve Vanisko

Three Rivers Assoc. of Realtors David L. McClintock

Three Rivers Const. Alliance Thomas A. White

Union Pacific Railroad Erik Varela

United Way of Will County Michael D. Hennessy

University of St. Francis* Arvid C. Johnson

Wight & Company Stephen Collins

Will County Board* Denise Winfrey

Will County Executive* Lawrence M. Walsh

Will County Farm Bureau Mark Schneidewind

Will County Governmental League John D. Noak

Will County Reg. Office of Education Shawn Walsh

Will & Grundy Counties Building Trades Council Doc Gregory

Willett, Hofmann & Associates Inc. Daniel Malinowski

Workforce Investment Board Caroline Portlock

*Denotes Executive Committee

Abri Credit Union

Acres Truck Parking

Adler Roofing and Sheet Metal, Inc.

AECOM

Alpha Media

AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center Bolingbrook

AMITA Health Saint Joseph Medical Center

AT&T Illinois

Autobahn Country Club

Beaver Creek Enterprises

BMO Harris Bank

BNSF Railway Company

Busey Bank

Cadence Premier Logistics

Catholic Education Foundation

Caton Commercial Real Estate

Cawley Chicago Real Estate

CEMCON, Ltd.

CenterPoint Properties

Chicago Laborers’ District - LMCC

Chicago Testing Laboratory

Chicagoland Speedway & Route 66 Raceway

CIBC

Ciorba Group

Citgo Lemont Refinery

City of Braidwood

City of Crest Hill

City of Joliet

City of Lockport

City of Wilmington

Clarion Hotel Banquet & Convention Center

CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

Comcast

ComEd – An Exelon Company

County of Will

Crown Lift Trucks

Cullinan Properties

D Construction, Inc.

D’Arcy Motors

Davis Machine Company, Inc.

DeVry University

Diversified CPC International

Dollar Tree Distribution Center

Duke Realty Corp.

DuPont Company

Dynegy Inc.

Edward–Elmhurst Healthcare

Edward Jones Investments

Elion Partners

Employment & Employer Services

Exelon Nuclear

EXP US Services, Inc.

ExxonMobil Joliet Refinery

Farnsworth Group

FCL Builders

FedEx Freight

Filotto Professional Services

First Midwest Bank

First Presbyterian Church

G&W Electric Company

Gallagher Asphalt Corporation

Gantzert Investment Company

Goodwin & Associates Real Estate LLC

Governors State University

Greater Joliet Area YMCA

Gwendolyn J. Sterk and the Family Law Group, P.C.

Hamilton Consulting Engineers, Inc.

Hanson Professional Services

Harrah’s Joliet Casino & Hotel

Heartland Bank and Trust

Hillwood Investment Properties

Hollywood Casino Joliet

Hometown National Bank

HR Green Company

IDI Logistics

Illinois Trucking Association

Interstate Warehousing Inc.

J.S. Alberico Construction Co., Inc.

James V. Smith & Associates

JLL Americas Inc.

john greene Commercial

Joliet Area Community Hospice

Joliet Area Historical Museum

Joliet Catholic Academy

Joliet Junior College

Joliet Park District

Joliet Township High School District 204

J-Power USA Development Co.

Kavanagh Grumley & Gorbold LLC

Ketone Partners

L. DeGeus & Associates, Inc.

LafargeHolcim

THANK YOU TO OUR2019 CED INVESTORS

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, Wilmington Will County Courthouse, Joliet (rendering)

Legat Architects

Lewis University

Liberty Property Trust

M.J. Electric LLC

Manpower Inc.

Markelz Office Furniture/Div. of Warehouse Direct

Marquette Properties, Inc.

McColly Bennett Commercial

Merchants & Manufacturers Bank

Midland States Bank

ML Realty Partners LLC

NAI Hiffman

Nicor Gas

Northern Builders, Inc.

NorthPoint Development

Old Second National Bank

ONEOK

Ozinga Bros. Inc.

Pace Suburban Transit

Partners Warehouse of Illinois

pewag Inc. USA

Pizzuti Properties

Prairie State College

PrideStaff

Priority Staffing

Providence Bank & Trust

PW Commercial Real Estate

Rasmussen College

Republic Services (Allied Waste)

RME Audio Video, Inc.

Robinson Engineering

Route 66 Food-N-Fuel

Ruettiger, Tonelli & Associates

Ryan Companies US, Inc.

Securitas USA

Silver Cross Hospital

SomerCor 504

Starwood Retail Partners

Stepan Company

Strand Associates, Inc.

Terracon Consultants

The Disability Resource Center

The Herald News/Shaw Media

The Horton Group

The Lane Construction Corporation

The Lombard Company

Three Rivers Association of Realtors

Three Rivers Construction Alliance:

– Contractors Assoc. of Will & Grundy Counties

– Will & Grundy Building Trades Council

Three Rivers Manufacturers’ Association

TranSystems

Transwestern

Troy Township Office

Turk Furniture

Union Pacific Railroad

United Way of Will County

University of St. Francis

UPS

Venture One Real Estate LLC

Village of Beecher

Village of Channahon

Village of Coal City

Village of Diamond

Village of Elwood

Village of Frankfort

Village of Lemont

Village of Manhattan

Village of Minooka

Village of Mokena

Village of Monee

Village of New Lenox

Village of Orland Park

Village of Park Forest

Village of Peotone

Village of Plainfield

Village of Romeoville

Village of Shorewood

Village of Tinley Park

Vulcan Materials

Waste Management

Wight and Company

Will County Lodging Association

Willett, Hofmann & Associates Inc.

Workforce Investment Board of Will County

Workforce Services Division of Will County

WSP

Zenith Energy Terminals

For information on becoming an Investor of the CED, please contact John Greuling at 815.774.6060.

Joliet Gateway CenterAbraham Lincoln National Cemetery, ElwoodWill County Courthouse, Joliet (rendering)

203 N. Ottawa Street, Suite 100 • Joliet, IL 60432 • 815.723.1800 • WillCountyCED.com

The CED’s programs and services are based on the following principles:

• Defense of the Will County and Illinois Economies• Competitiveness of Will County Businesses

• Diversification of the Economic Base• Inclusive Economic Development

• Infrastructure Modernization• Workforce Attraction and Development

WILL COUNTY CED OUR MISSION

To improve the quality of life for all residents in

Will County by recruiting new companies offering

high-quality jobs and a solid tax base while assisting

existing businesses to retain and add jobs.