Fostering a collaborative, regional
approach to
economic development that leads to
growth and prosperity
About CRGC
CRGC (Chicago Regional Growth Corporation) is the regional economic development organization that drives collaboration among public and private partners in order to generate inclusive growth and prosperity across Northeastern Illinois. Through CRGC’s leadership, the region will speak and act with one voice.
CRGC is comprised of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will Counties and the City of Chicago. The region is one of the world’s top ten most competitive economies, at the center of global trade routes with major assets in transportation infrastructure, information technology, manufacturing and more.
Cooperation, inclusion and diversity are core values of CRGC. Partnerships are vital to its success. CRGC is a bridge from local to state and federal resources and integral to prioritizing, aligning and coordinating economic development activities to increase the region’s competitiveness.
Regions grow most effectively when they are coordinated, equitable and inclusive. With one voice and a collective approach to inclusive economic development, CRGC will build a stronger and more prosperous region.
History of Working Together
In 2013, leaders from Northeastern Illinois convened a working group to identify opportunities for collaboration. Since then, the group has developed projects leading to growth, investment and the creation of quality jobs.
CRGC provides the infrastructure for the group’s ongoing collaboration, and will increase the capacity of local economic development organizations to drive inclusive growth.
Our Role
Enhancing the regional ecosystem
Fill gaps in regional development initiatives
Provide programs and resources, such as export and FDI assistance for businesses, to increase local capacity, especially in economically distressed areas
Grow regionally strong industry clusters
Support key industries, such as metals and manufacturing, that are important to the regional economy
Connect assets and build stronger regional networks
Create networks of assets, such as the region's freight transportation system, in order to leverage the region's full potential
Build a strong regional identity
Develop a unified voice to promote the region's diverse assets, economic strengths and opportunities for investment
Our Priorities
Global Programs
CRGC Exports is an economic development program to boost trade among small- and medium-sized enterprises. It was developed in 2014 as Metro Chicago Exports by the working group that became CRGC in conjunction with the Global Cities Initiative, which helps metropolitan areas reorient their economies toward greater engagement in world markets.
The regional strategy to attract foreign investment will complement and improve coordination among existing local efforts. Forthcoming tools and programs will help local organizations build relationships with foreign-owned enterprises and improve the network of resources available to organizations and companies .
Industry Clusters
Convening regionally important clusters to discuss common issues and identify new opportunities for growth is a core component of CRGC's work to grow the economy from within. Since 2014, Chicago Metro Metal Consortium has strengthened the fabricated metal and machinery sectors in the region by providing a platform for collaboration, innovation and problem-solving.
CRGC also supports the work of other regional cluster initiatives such as the Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network and Current. One of the region’s primary strengths is the diversity of its traded sectors, and CRGC strives to support, promote and highlight robust local industries of all types.
Regional Systems
Our economy works on a regional scale, leading to complicated networks of people, infrastructure and other assets. CRGC will work to improve essential regional systems for the benefit of our economy. Since 2014, efforts to enhance the freight transportation network by streamlining permitting have improved transportation and benefited related industries.
As CRGC grows, it will focus on coordinating the region's diverse assets, including systems that facilitate workforce development, innovation and mobility. CRGC will increase access to these systems and make them work better for the region’s residents and industries.
CRGC Export Grant Program
Apply for up to $5,000 to support your company’s export growth
Application Deadline: February 28, 2020
CRGC ExporTechTM Program
ExporTech™, offered in Illinois by CRGC in partnership with IMEC, is the only national program that helps companies develop an export plan. Each full-day session efficiently connects companies with local and national experts to navigate the export sales process. The cohort is limited to 5-8 companies, who work with a coach and receive customized market research.
On average, participating companies generate $770K in new export sales. ExporTech saves participants countless hours and eliminates fear of the unknown about getting paid, protecting intellectual property, finding sales representatives and more.
CRGC will offer two sessions of ExporTech in 2020.
Aurora
March 12, April 8 and May 6 | Cost is discounted for limited time only from $5000 to $750.
East Hazel Crest
May 20, June 17 and July 15 | Cost is discounted for limited time only from $5000 to $750.
Exports provide firms a path into the middle market
The Brookings Institution - August 14, 2019 Despite often being overlooked amid the appeal of scrappy entrepreneurs and mammoth multi-national companies, middle market firms (with $10 million – $1 billion in annual...
Metro Monitor 2019: Inclusion remains elusive amid widespread metro growth and rising prosperity
The Brookings Institution - March 21, 2019 What does a successful economy look like? Regular economic news coverage suggests that success is defined largely by growing U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), expanding jobs, falling unemployment, and rising stock prices....
Business and Government Leaders Launch Chicago Regional Growth Corporation
Press Release - January 18, 2018 Unprecedented new organization brings together leaders from seven counties, the City of Chicago and the business community to advance economic development in Northeastern Illinois...
Here's a smarter way to generate economic growth in metro Chicago
Crain's Chicago Business - December 13, 2017 The city has World Business Chicago, the state has Intersect Illinois, and now the metropolitan region is trying for a new public-private partnership to promote economic development...
New nonprofit aims to promote area economy
Crain's Chicago Business - December 7, 2017 The city has World Business Chicago, the state has Intersect Illinois, and now the metropolitan region is trying for a new public-private partnership to promote economic development...
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Board of Directors
Lauren Cody
Corporate Vice President
McDonald's Corporation
Nelda J. Connors
Chairman & CEO
Pine Grove Holdings
Kevin Considine
President & CEO
Lake County Partners
Steve Davis
President & Chairman
The Will Group
Derek Douglas
Vice President
University of Chicago
John Greuling
President & CEO
Will County Center for Economic Development
Scott Koeppel
Economic Development Coordinator
Kendall County
Jim McConoughey
President
McHenry Economic Development Corporation
Michael Moskow
Vice Chairman & Distinguished Fellow
Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Aneesa Muthana
President
Pioneer Service Inc.
Alberto Paracchini
President & CEO
Byline Bank
James Roolf
President
Joliet Banking Center
at First Midwest Bank
Joseph Slawek
Chairman
FONA International
Mark VanKerkhoff
Director
Kane County Development and Community Services
Andrea Zopp
President & CEO
World Business Chicago
Vacant
Bureau Chief
Cook County Bureau of Economic Development
Vacant
President & CEO
Choose DuPage
Contact Us
177 N. State Street, Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60601312-589-5789
