Will County Center for economic development
Celebrates 40 Years!
The real story of the CED’s work is you, our Investors. Without their commitment of time and financial support over the years, our County and our communities would not have the assets necessary for residents to enjoy a high quality of life, good paying jobs, excellent schools, investments in infrastructure, balanced government budgets and some of the best recreational facilities in the region.
The True Legacy of Will County CED
The true legacy of the CED lies in bringing together our partners in business, labor, government, health care, transportation, and other sectors to identify challenges, find solutions and take the actions to get it done.
We are excited to celebrate this milestone, while looking ahead to continue to guide economic success for years to come.
Video From John Greuling, President and CEO (2001-2021)
Message From John Greuling, President and CEO (2001-2021)
Significant CED Milestones
Celebrating the CED’s
40th Birthday
In 1981 the economy in Will County was flat on its back. The County’s unemployment rate was 18%; Joliet’s, 26.5%. Steel mills and other manufacturing plants closed. Caterpillar went from 7,000 employees to under 3,000. The decommissioning of the Joliet Arsenal resulted in the loss of over 8,000 jobs. Everywhere you looked, there were vacant commercial and industrial buildings. Will County’s future did not take sunglasses to look at – things were already quite dim.
But local business leaders refused to dwell on the past. The original CED, Greater Joliet, Inc., was formed in 1981, funded by local businesses. Five years later, the Joliet/Will County Center for Economic Development was created to serve all of Will County and its thirty-seven municipalities.
What has happened to the Will County economy since then is nothing short of amazing. While the CED has been the catalyst for helping thousands of companies expand and locate in the County creating tens of thousands of jobs, the public-private partnership between business, labor, and government has been the secret sauce to our success.
CED Celebrates 40 Years Of Raising The Tide
This year marks the Will County Center for Economic Development’s 40th anniversary. I am proud to serve as board chair through this milestone year and to shine a light on the impact the organization has had on our community.
The CED was formed in 1981, when unemployment was at an all-time high in Joliet and Will County. Empty buildings cast shadows on what once was a bustling manufacturing hub, and times were tough for many in our community. A group of concerned business leaders rallied in response, contributing their funds to form a nonprofit that would cement the region’s future.
Today, the CED has a solid reputation for improving the quality of life for all residents in Will County by helping thousands of businesses thrive here, creating tens of thousands of jobs as a result. Nearly 200 CED investors from public and private entities fund the organization’s impact. My colleagues on the CED Board of Directors hail from more than 60 companies representing about 20 sectors of our regional economy, and all share the goal of raising the tide in Will County.
Celebrating 40 Years of Partnerships
At our December Annual Report to Investors, we showcased 40 years of the CED through the covers of our annual publications. This short video tells the story of our founding, evolution, and impact—made possible through 40 years of partnerships with investors, elected officials, and community leaders.
In the News: CED Celebrates 40 Years
Happy 40th anniversary to Will County Center for Economic Development
I’m quite proud to represent CenterPoint Properties as a Will County Center for Economic Development Board member. CenterPoint has a long history with the CED and greatly appreciates its work to help businesses connect, collaborate and flourish.
Will County Center for Economic Development celebrates 40 years of supporting local businesses
Against a backdrop of a high cost of capital and one of the most severe
unemployment rates in the nation, local business leaders stepped forward with a vision to make a change that would set the region on a new economic path.
40 Years Moving Will County Forward!
CED Board Member, Carmine Bottigliero, Vice President of Development with CenterPoint, a CED Sustaining Investor, recently wrote about CenterPoint’s strong ties to will County and the CED’s work including an update on the Houbolt Road Extension currently under construction off I-80 leading into the CenterPoint Intermodal Center!
Will County CED Reflect on 40 Years of Growth
From job creation to infrastructure projects and housing, Will County is on top of the heap in Illinois. That’s the message leaders of the Will County Center for Economic Development had at their recent 2021 Eye Opener annual meeting.
CED Celebrates 40 Years Of Raising The Tide
This year marks the Will County Center for Economic Development’s 40th anniversary. I am proud to serve as board chairwoman through this milestone year and to shine a light on the impact the organization has had on our community.
Celebrating the CED’s 40th Birthday
What has happened to the Will County economy since then is nothing short of amazing. While the CED has been the catalyst for helping thousands of companies expand and locate in the County creating tens of thousands of jobs, the public-private partnership between business, labor, and government has been the secret sauce to our success.
CED’s Timeline Celebrates 40 years of moving Will County forward!
1981
Creation of Organization
The creation of the privately-funded, not-for-profit “Greater Joliet, Inc.”, the predecessor of the CED.
1986
CED Established
The Joliet/Will County Center for Economic Development was established to promote county wide economic growth.
1990
CED Partners With TRMA
The CED partners with Three Rivers Manufacturing Association (TRMA) resulting in new business/education initiatives to enhance workforce development in Will County.
1997
Joliet Arsenal Dev. Auth.
The CED leadership spearheads the redevelopment of the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant property. The Joliet Arsenal Development Authority is created to transfer 23,000 acres of army land to new uses.
1997
Southern Alliance for the Extension (SAFE)
The CED is a founding member of the Southern Alliance for the Extension (SAFE) to support and promote the construction of the I-355 extension from I-55 to I-80.
2002
BNSF Logistics Park Chicago
The BNSF Logistics Park Chicago intermodal facility opens in the new CenterPoint Intermodal Center – Elwood. The emergence of Will County as the largest inland container port in North America begins.
2007
I-355 Highway
I-355 Veteran’s Memorial Highway Opens in 2007
2010
Union Pacific Global IV Opens
The Union Pacific’s Global IV intermodal facility opens in the new CenterPoint Intermodal Center – Joliet. Will County becomes the largest inland container port in North America.
2014
Metro Chicago Exports Program
The CED is a founding member of the Metro Chicago Exports program, an unprecedented partnership between the City of Chicago and the seven northeastern Illinois counties to drive exports for small and medium enterprises.
2015
Will County Freight Advisory Council
The CED creates the Will County Freight Advisory Council to provide leadership and support for the successful developments of the logistics and transportation sectors within the County. The CED receives the 2015 Award of Excellence for Inland Ports by Expansion Solutions
2016
Community Friendly Freight Mobility Study
A year of celebrating the success of the CED’s mission supporting business attraction and expansion for 35 years. The CED’s commitment to qualify of life and a safe environment was underscored by our partnership with Will County in developing the Will County Community Friendly Freight Mobility Plan.
2017
Will County Friendly Freight Mobility Plan
Will County Community Friendly Freight Mobility Plan is completed and adopted by Will County.
2017
I-80 Coalition Formed
The CED formed the I-80 Coalition made up of business, government, and labor leaders with the purpose of accelerating the completion of the IDOT project by the end of 2023.
2019
ReBuild Illinois Announced
Banner year for transportation and infrastructure funding – the reconstruction of Interstate 80 from Minooka to New Lenox received $1.2 billion from the State of Illinois through the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan.
2020
The regional and statewide impacts of the pandemic demonstrate the resiliency of key Will County industry sectors including health care, energy, advanced manufacturing, transportation, distribution, logistics, and food.
2021
The CED Celebrates 40 years of moving Will County forward!
CED, A Look Back…
