Business Facilities - December 2008 - (Page 17)

Illinois: International Reach From America’s Heartland The Land of Lincoln is now the fifth-largest exporting state in the U.S., shipping more than $48.73 billion worth of goods. By Donna Clapp E ven in today’s technology-driven global economy, Chicago ranks fourth in the number of Fortune 500 where you locate your business is still an important companies in the U.S. More than 2,000 miles of interconsideration when looking to expand operations state highway cross the state, including three coast-toand reach new markets. And, coast interstate highways. Illinois is Illinois offers a diverse home to two of the nation’s largest rail like no other location in the world, gateways in Chicago and East St. Louis; the state of Illinois—and its largest workforce; nearly half of 1,118 miles of navigable waterways that city, Chicago—offer many advantages. Chicago, the financial and its six million workers are offer direct links to the Atlantic Ocean commercial heart of the state, offers a and the Gulf of Mexico; state-of-the-art variety of resources and advantages intermodal facilities and ports; and the professionals or skilled for companies operating or conductsecond-largest airport system in the U.S. technicians. Illinois also with 118 airports, 273 heliports and ing business. The recent acquisition of the New York Mercantile Exchange ranks fourth in the nation more than 1,000 aviation facilities. The (NYMEX) by The CME Group crown jewel is Chicago’s O’Hare Intersolidifies Chicago as a world capital in value-added productivity national Airport, through which 1.7 for futures and options trading. million tons of cargo and 76 million in manufacturing. The state of Illinois offers many travelers pass each year. Likewise, data transport is advantages as well. The state is located in the geographic center of the U.S., which makes extremely efficient in Illinois. Hundreds of thousands of it a natural and cost-effective place for storing and dis- miles of fiber optic cable have been installed and virtually tributing products regionally, nationally and internation- the entire state has digital switching capability. As proof ally. In fact, more than 200 of the Fortune 500 compa- of the state’s strategic advantages, Illinois ranks as the top nies operate major distribution centers in Illinois, and location in the Midwestern U.S.—and fourth in the A S P E C I A L A D V E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N O F B U S I N E S S FA C I L I T I E S 17

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Business Facilities - December 2008

Business Facilities - December 2008 Contents First Word Snapshots Corporate Moves: North Carolina Gold Award: New Engine for Growth in Virginia Silver Award: Tennessee Gets the Big Prize Bronze Award: Enrichment in Idaho Falls Honorable Mentions International Reach From America's Heartland Supply Chain Priorities Metro Spotlight: Greenville/ Spartanburg, SC The Magnolia State Has It All A Real Estate Mega-Merger State of the Year Ask the Expert Advertiser Index

Business Facilities - December 2008

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