CHICAGO—For the seventh year in a row, Chicago took the top spot for foreign direct investment in North America, according to the 2019 IBM Global Location Trends report.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced the city's first place finish in the IBM Global Location Trends report, which will be released later this month.

"Chicago has proven itself as a leader in the global economy," Mayor Lightfoot says. "This report demonstrates Chicago's strength as a city where businesses from around the world want to locate and grow, creating jobs and economic opportunities across the city. We welcome their investment and look forward to their sustained impact on our city for years to come."

A hub of international business activity, Chicago is home to more than 1,800 foreign-based companies, accounting for more than $140 billion in foreign direct investment.

"Chicago has now ranked as the top city in North America for the number of significant foreign investment projects for seven consecutive years," Roel Spee, Global Leader IBM-Plant Location International says. "Chicago has consistently performed as a prime global city for foreign direct investment."

An organization that has helped foster foreign investment in the Windy City is World Business Chicago, which works to increase foreign direct investment with initiatives including the Gateway Cities Agreement with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, Global Cities Economic Partnership with Mexico City, Chicago-London City Data Alliance and Tel Aviv-Yafo –Chicago Partnership. These efforts, city officials note, serve as a model to enhance economic ties with other countries and global cities to facilitate trade and foreign direct investment.

"Today's announcement further demonstrates Chicago's position as a global leader in foreign investment," says Andrea Zopp, president and CEO of World Business Chicago. "By creating economic partnerships around the world and growing our international network, we ensure that Chicago leads on the global stage."

The IBM Global Location Trends report shows where companies are locating, expanding, and creating jobs around the world. Projects must meet IBM criteria, including having created more than 10 jobs, to qualify. The 2019 report, covering annual data for 2018, will be released by IBM on Sept. 25th.

Instant Insights /

Chicago Again Ranks First in North America for Foreign Investment

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