Area Development magazine has ranked the Kankakee, IL, Metropolitan Statistical Area first among 394 MSAs nationwide for year-over-year growth in its “Leading Metro Locations” Q2 2018 report. The foremost site and facility planning publication determined the ranking by reviewing 21 economic and workforce indicators pulled from seven data sets originating from three sources – the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census American Community Survey and Emsi.

In other report findings, the Kankakee MSA ranked 10th in “Top 30 Metros - Economic Strength,” 18th in “Top 30 Metros – Five-Year Economic Growth” and ninth among small metros nationwide.

“Of course, we’re thrilled that the community is again being recognized for its outstanding growth,” remarked Economic Alliance President & CEO Tim Nugent, “particularly by Area Development, a proven industry authority.

“Our number one ranking is a shot in the arm for our community as it pivots to the innovation economy,” Nugent continued, “with high-profile investments like CSL Behring’s 1.8 million square foot expansion in the bioscience sector, Nucor Steel’s $180 million expansion, and multimillion dollar headquarters expansions by leading food innovators Van Drunen Farms and FutureCeuticals.”

The Kankakee MSA has been ranked the #1 Small Metro in Illinois for Job & Tech Growth by Milken Institute for 4 of the past 5 years. The metro saw $1.5 billion in major capital investment from 2014-17 and is consistently among top job creators in the State of Illinois, seeing leading growth of 3.9 percent and 1,800 jobs in April 2018, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

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