Whether you’re a new graduate, looking for a new job, or just a hardcore Chicagoan, it’s smart to keep an eye on what companies and jobs are relocating to Chicago. Here are some major upcoming changes worth keeping on your radar.
The big ones…
Kellogg, Co.
In case you missed it, Kellogg’s made a major announcement last month. The maker of everyone’s childhood staple, Frosted Flakes, and the recently-made-a-comeback-due-to-Stranger-Things Eggo, is going to move its corporate headquarters to Chicago.
Kellogg’s is splitting into three companies, one focusing on snacks, one on cereals, and one on plant-based foods. The latter two will remain headquartered in Michigan.
According to the official press release,
The planned separations will result in a Global Snacking Co. that is expected to enhance its leadership position in the global snacking, international cereal and noodles, and North America frozen breakfast categories, by focusing investments and capital toward building upon its strong growth momentum and profitability.
Global Snacking Co. will maintain dual campuses in both Battle Creek and Chicago.
This is huge news for the Windy City, as Kellogg’s had net sales of $14.2 billion last year, with a whopping $11.4 billion of that created by its snack division alone.
The spinoff plans should be finished by the end of next year. So while they won’t say how many jobs the move will create, it’s certainly a positive outlook for the Chicago job market.
Bally’s Chicago Casino
A special City Council committee approved an ordinance allowing Bally’s to build a casino in River West last May. While the resort may take until 2026 to open, a proposed temporary casino could open as soon as 2023 – contingent on the approval of the Illinois Gaming Board.
While it may be too early to predict what the future holds, the $1.74 billion project promises to create nearly 3,000 permanent jobs. Bally’s has committed to 60% minority hiring for these future jobs.
Additionally, Bally has offered $40 million upfront to the city of Chicago, followed by $4 million each year thereafter.
The casino should boost tourism numbers, too; currently, the city believes it will bring in $200 million in tax revenue each year. This money, according to officials, is designated for police and fire pensions.
…and some smaller ones to watch
Bartesian
In February, Bartesian announced a new downtown Chicago headquarters in Fulton Market. After a record year of sales, founder and CEO Ryan Close said, “Bartesian is extremely proud to call Chicago home and we’re honored to put down deeper roots here…” The new location is much larger than their previous office, allowing plenty of room for future hiring and expansion.
Coro
As one of the fastest growing cyber security companies out there, Coro announced a rapid expansion in Chicago last April. After securing $80 million in funding, they plan to use this money to grow their global team – they plan to add 100 members this year and grow to 200 employees by 2023. According to the CEO, “Aggressively growing our Chicago-based center of operations is a highly strategic move for us as a company, and we are honored to call Chicago our newest home.”
Logik.io
Logik.io announced the opening of its new office in Highland Park in March. The larger space will be used for new hires, as the press release claims “The company plans on increasing its employee count by at least 75% in the next year, resulting in the need for a larger space that has flexible working options for everyone.”