Illinois Rises from Last Year's Ranking; Governor Highlights Growth at Small Businesses Like Punchkick

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Illinois has moved up to third in the nation?and the Chicago area is now the number one metro market in the country for new and expanded corporate facilities. Illinois moved up two spots from last year's fifth place ranking and the Chicago region went from second place last year to first place this year, according to the annual analysis by Site Selection magazine, one of the nation's premier corporate real estate and economic development publications. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's commitment to economic development and job creation in Illinois.

"Illinois is on a roll and these new rankings are proof we are making a comeback," Governor Quinn said. "With our ideal central location, our commitment to building a world-class infrastructure and recent reforms to strengthen our business climate, Illinois is near the top of the list when it comes to choosing a place to do business."

In 2013, Illinois had 383 corporate facilities locate or expand in the state, including Catamaran, Century Aluminum, Coeur d'Alene Mines Corp., CPG International, CVS Caremark, Durata Therapeutics, FER-PAL Construction, Home Depot, Mike's Hard Lemonade, Rittal Corp. and Univar. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area had 373 new or expanded corporate locations, more than any other major city in the country. Chicago had ranked second on the list the past two years.

As an example of local economic growth, Governor Quinn also announced that Punchkick Interactive Inc., a mobile commerce firm that works for many large corporations, will expand its Chicago operations and has committed to creating at least 60 new jobs within two years.

Founded in 2006, Punchkick now has about 55 employees but needs larger offices due to growth. Punchkick co-founder Ryan Unger said the company considered expanding in the Washington D.C. area to be near a major customer but chose Chicago instead. The company qualified for a tax credit under the state's Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) program.

"For Punchkick, this was about finding the best location to expand our company and serve our customers," Unger said. "The talent we need and the access to markets nationwide is right here in Illinois. Having such a wonderful culture of innovation in the Chicago region just reinforces the decision for us."

Punchkick showcases the support Illinois can provide small businesses and the company's success also represents the growth in Illinois' technology sector. Venture capital funding for technology startups rose 169 percent in the Chicago region last year, to $1.06 billion, according to the group Built In Chicago.

The new Site Selection rankings follow last week's announcement that the $320 million Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute, the first-of-its-kind digital hub with the capability to transform American manufacturing, is being established in Illinois.

To be included in the Site Selection rankings, new corporate facilities and expansions had to meet at least one of three criteria: Involve a capital investment of at least $1 million, create at least 50 jobs or add at least 20,000 square feet of new floor area. The rankings are regarded by corporate real estate analysts as "the industry scoreboard." Site Selection, published by Conway Data, Inc., is the senior publication in the corporate real estate and economic development field. The magazine's circulation base consists of 49,000 executives involved in corporate site selection decisions, most at the CEO/President/COO level.

The new rankings follow other recent data that document vitality in the Illinois economy. These reports include :

• A study by CareerBuilder and Economic Modeling Specialists International that placed Illinois third among states in growth of business establishments. It said total establishments in Illinois rose by 18,222, or five percent, to 383,103, from 2009 to 2012.
• The Flash Index published by the University of Illinois, measuring trends in the state's economy, stands at 107.2, its highest point since April 2007.
• Independent analyses show that values of residential and commercial real estate are rising steadily and vacancy rates in commercial property are declining, sometimes to lows not seen in years.

"Illinois has what corporations want?a strong economy, first-rate logistics network, a highly trained and skilled workforce and a proven track record of fostering innovation," Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Adam Pollet said. "Moving up to third place in the Site Selection standings is great, but we aren't going to be satisfied until Illinois is number one on the list."

For more information on why Illinois is the right place for business, visit illinoisbiz.biz.

SKILLET and THIRD DAY

With Special Guests: PETER FURLER, BRANDON HEATH, MANDISA, & WE AS HUMAN

6:30 pm PM Sunday, March 9

iWireless Center, 1201 River Dr, Moline, IL 61265

Skillet was formed in Memphis in 1996 and is led by husband and wife John and Korey Cooper. The band won rock song of the year from the Gospel Music Association, or GMA, in 2008 (for "Comatose") and this year (for "Sick of It").

Third Day was formed in Georgia and has won eight awards from the GMA. Its 11th studio album, "Miracle," was released in November 2012.

Tickets are On Sale Now!

Tickets are available at these locations:
iWireless Center Box Office
All Ticketmaster Outlets
Online: Ticketmaster.com
Phone: 800-745-3000

VIP Seating, Lower Bowl and Main Floor seating available.

Group Offer: Buy 12 or more at one time, get 2 FREE tickets! For more information, contact: (309) 277-1356

Box Office information:(309) 764-2000. TDD line for hearing impaired only (309) 764-2054. Group orders: (309) 277-1356.

Box Office hours:Monday through Friday - 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM Saturday - 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Day of the event - 10:00 AM to showtime

Types of Payment Accepted: The Box Office accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card, and cash.

Will Call: Tickets can be picked up no earlier that three hours before the event. Patron must have a photo ID, the actual credit card, and confirmation number.

Website: iWirelesscenter.com

Children Rules: All children having attained their 3rd birthday must have a ticket. Some events require children younger than 3 to have a ticket.

General Rules: Cameras and recording devices are not allowed in the facility. Also prohibited are firearms, expolsives, weapons and laser pointers. All bags will be visually inspected and guests may be subject to a body search.

Show times:
Doors: 6:00pm
Show: 6:30pm

Please note: This is a change from earlier posted show times of 7:00 pm.

Click Here for More Info & Buy Tickets:

http://www.ticketmaster.com/third-day-skillet-moline-illinois-03-09-2014/event/06004B8BF38BCBB2?artistid=1110729&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=60

Skillet and Third Day is presented by Food for the Hungry and is brought to us by Awakening Events.

New Anthem is a 501c3 Christian non profit organization that by 2013 has brought or helped to bring 750 Christian and charity events to the region.

March 15th Monthly Trivia Night in LeClaire at the Civic Center. Doors open at 6:30pm, $10 per person. Corned Beef Dinner available for purchase ($7), including "to go". . . . Benefits LeClaire Civic Club. Win a Civic Center rental, and other prizes! For table reservations: Vicky at: 563-639-46211 or email kettlepopper@gmail.com

Rollheiser kept the Mallards off the scoreboard until Chris Greene scored from the doorstep to finally bring Quad City within one with 2:51 left in the third period.  The Mallards, however, would come up short in their bid for a late equalizer even after pulling goaltender Thomas Heemskerk for an extra attacker.

Forward Thomas Frazee returned to action for the Mallards tonight after being activated from injured reserve earlier in the day.  Frazee missed the Mallards' prior six games while on IR.

The Mallards host the Beast again tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m.  Duck Dynasty's Mountain Man will drop the puck for a ceremonial faceoff before tomorrow evening's game and will meet fans and sign autographs during that contest.

Tickets for tomorrow night's game and all Mallards regular season home tilts can be purchased at the iWireless Center ticket office, Ticketmaster outlets, through ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.