CHICAGO — Chicago has once again been named the top U.S. metropolitan area for business relocation and new corporate headquarters by the economic development magazine Site Selection. This marks a record 13 consecutive years at the top spot.
The annual ranking is based on verified corporate projects related to new facilities or business expansions. It is considered a key indicator of investment and business expansion activity nationwide and reflects Chicago’s sustained ability to attract capital and create jobs. In the state rankings, Illinois came in second for corporate expansion projects.
“Chicago’s continued leadership in business relocation and expansion reflects the strengths our city has built over generations,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “From manufacturing and freight to global logistics, Chicago has long been the backbone of American commerce.”
The mayor added that this industrial base, combined with modern infrastructure and a highly skilled workforce, explains why companies continue to choose the city to expand and innovate. Recent projects include investments from Universal Horror Unleashed, Hexaware Technologies, The Hand and The Eye, Freedman Seating Company, Infleqtion, and the collaboration between David Byrne and The Goodman Theatre.
World Business Chicago (WBC) monitors corporate expansions, relocations, and new businesses entering the local market using an indicator called Pro-Chicagoland Decisions (PCD). This database includes announced projects for offices, industrial plants, corporate headquarters, warehouses, data centers, and call centers that meet certain space and employment requirements.
In 2025, WBC recorded 223 projects that qualify as PCDs, representing a 40% increase over the previous year. These projects include companies expanding existing operations, companies relocating from other regions, and new firms entering the Chicagoland market for the first time.
According to WBC’s methodology, this activity equates to 19,600 new or retained jobs, $1.7 billion in annual revenue, and more than 26 million square feet of commercial and industrial space. The pace of expansion surpassed the 2024 results and reflects business confidence in the region’s workforce, infrastructure, and market access.
“The annual Site Selection rankings once again demonstrate the magnitude of Chicagoland’s entrepreneurial momentum,” said Adam Bruns, editor-in-chief of the magazine. In total, more than 3,100 corporate projects registered in its database were located last year in the top 30 U.S. metropolitan areas that rank among the top ten in various population levels.
Of those projects, nearly 20% were located in Chicagoland, a sign of the region’s strong economic appeal.
Sectors Driving Growth
The projects registered in 2025 reflect a diversified economy that combines traditional industries with high-growth sectors.
Manufacturing was the largest sector, with 86 projects (38%) and 2,806 new jobs, consolidating the region’s strength in advanced production.
Professional, scientific, and technical services accounted for 36 projects (16%) and 632 jobs, highlighting the growth of technology and innovation companies.
Transportation and warehousing added 29 projects (13%) and 225 jobs, driven by the region’s multimodal logistics network.
Finance and insurance contributed 14 projects (6%) and 190 jobs.
Retail, arts, entertainment, accommodation, and food services generated 2,550 jobs, reflecting the economic impact of the creative and experience industries.
Among the largest projects included in the ranking are:
- Amazon: 1,200 jobs (Will County)
- Hollywood Casino Joliet: 600 jobs (Will County)
- NBC Universal Horror Unleashed: 400 jobs (Chicago)
- Fortune Brands Innovations: 400 jobs (Lake County)
- Hexaware Technologies: 250 jobs (Chicago)
According to Phil Clement, president and CEO of World Business Chicago, the region’s success is due to several structural advantages: its central location in North American commerce, the most active freight transportation network in the country, international connectivity through O’Hare Airport, and a workforce of 5.5 million people.
In addition, approximately 150,000 students enter the regional job market each year, further strengthening the talent pool available to companies.
A Long-Term Growth Plan
Clement also highlighted the Chicago 2050 strategic plan, which aims to grow the regional economy from approximately $950 billion currently to more than $1.4 trillion by 2050.
The strategy focuses not only on traditional sectors like manufacturing, transportation, and finance, but also on emerging areas such as quantum technology, clean energy, and cultural development.
According to the city’s economic leaders, culture and the creative industries also play a key role in economic growth. Projects like David Byrne’s Theatre of the Mind and Universal Horror Unleashed demonstrate how cultural investments can attract talent, tourism, and investment.
A Region Competing as One
The Site Selection ranking also reflects regional collaboration through the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP), which coordinates efforts between Chicago and Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties to attract investment and create jobs.
“Investors don’t think in terms of city or county lines; they analyze regional scale, available talent, and infrastructure,” explained Kevin Considine, president of the GCEP.
Together, this strategy has attracted investments from companies like Abbott Laboratories, Fortune Brands, and Osaka Soda, bolstering economic growth throughout the region.
“Chicago is the best city in the world to build, grow, and scale a business,” concluded Mayor Johnson. “If you’re thinking about expanding, we want to help you be part of Chicago’s next chapter of growth.”
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