Author: Nicole Bateman

Decatur, Illinois –  Decatur, Illinois was named to Global Trade Magazine’s 2018 annual pick for the top 100 cities for global trade, earning special recognition in the “Cities to Watch” category. Their editors “choose these cities based on many factors: what they’ve done, what’s planned, and how global trade has responded to them… from the country’s largest to some tiny cities, all deserve to a look from anyone interested in doing business in the United States.”

In addition to being named in the Top 100 Cities for Global Trade, Decatur was also highlighted as one of the “Cities to Watch.” According to the magazine, “These are cities that deserve attention for their economic climate and the efforts that the leadership and the great citizens are putting in to make their cities great places in which to live and do business.” Other cities included in the list are Madison, Wisconsin; Birmingham, Alabama; Irvine, California; and Baltimore, Maryland.

“The recognition by Global Trade Magazine comes at a great time for the community,” said Ryan McCrady, president of the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur-Macon County. “Our local economic indicators such as total employment and wages earned continue to show strong improvements over recent years. Combine that with Decatur’s global business presence down to local education opportunities and recreation enhancements, we should be a top city to watch. We’re making positive strides on several significant fronts.”

Decatur consistently ranks at the top in the state of Illinois for export container origination according to the U.S. Customs declarations. Container movement into the Decatur region has increased in recent years thanks to the addition of the ADM Intermodal Ramp and its third-party capabilities. Business development efforts by the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur-Macon County and initiatives such as the Midwest Inland Port have brought renewed attention to the region, and additional recognition for industry and quality of life have helped shape the recent upturn in the local economy.

 

 

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About the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and Macon County

The Economic Development Corporation of Decatur & Macon County is a nonprofit public-private partnership responsible for non-retail business attraction, expansion and retention efforts in Decatur & Macon County. Composed of a combination of leading private sector employers, labor, educational institutions and a variety of governmental bodies, the EDC is uniquely positioned to address the needs of Macon County’s existing business and employer base along with prospective businesses looking to locate in and around the Decatur, Illinois area. The EDC works with local, state and federal partners to provide economic, technical and training assistance to businesses in the Macon County area.

 

For more information, contact:
Ryan McCrady, President
Economic Development Corporation of Decatur-Macon County
Ph: 217-422-9520

Business Facilities Magazine’s 14th Annual Metro Rankings are in and the Decatur area received a first-place ranking in their Agricultural Bioscience Employment category. Their editors based their ranking on agricultural feedstock employment leaders from the 2018 BIO Report. The agricultural feedstock and industrial biosciences subsector applies life sciences knowledge, biochemistry and biotechnologies to the processing and production of agricultural goods as well as organic and agricultural chemicals. The subsector also includes activities around the production of biofuels and feedstocks for biobased polymers. Examples of such products include: corn and soybean oil, ethanol and biodiesel fuels, plastics and textiles synthesized from plant-based feedstock, and biobased ingredients for cosmetics, personal care products, flavors and fragrances.

“People are astounded when they learn about the array of products that are produced by Decatur, Illinois companies,” said Ryan McCrady, president of the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur-Macon County. “A first-place ranking highlighting our prominence in the agricultural bioscience sector recognizes Decatur’s strong workforce and grabs the attention of companies looking to expand their businesses into the Midwest.”

The Decatur Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had twice the number of people employed in the feedstock and biosciences subsector compared to second-place finisher Houston, Texas and three times that of the Chicago MSA. Decatur is home to global companies like ADM and Tate & Lyle, and a broad-based network of ancillary and supporting businesses.

“ADM’s operations in Decatur — and our people here — have been instrumental to our company’s success for generations,” said Chris Cuddy, ADM senior vice president and president of the company’s Carbohydrate Solutions business unit. “Today, while our company is doing business in more places around the world than ever before, Decatur remains home to more ADM colleagues than any other single location in our global network, and we will continue to work with community leaders to promote Decatur as a great place to live, work and do business.”

Shown above are the Metropolitan Statistical Areas with the Largest Employment Levels in Agricultural Feedstock and Industrial Biosciences, 2016. Source: Biotechnology Innovation Organization

 

About the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and Macon County

The Economic Development Corporation of Decatur & Macon County is a nonprofit public-private partnership responsible for non-retail business attraction, expansion and retention efforts in Decatur & Macon County. Composed of a combination of leading private sector employers, labor, educational institutions and a variety of governmental bodies, the EDC is uniquely positioned to address the needs of Macon County’s existing business and employer base along with prospective businesses looking to locate in and around the Decatur, Illinois area. The EDC works with local, state and federal partners to provide economic, technical and training assistance to businesses in the Macon County area.