Lion Electric Project Named Finalist in REJournals Illinois Real Estate Awards

The CED was pleased to nominate this significant Joliet – Will County project for consideration in the 2022 REJournals Illinois Real Estate Awards.

The Lion Electric Company, an innovative manufacturer of zero-emission vehicles headquartered in Canada, announced the development of a 900,000-sf production facility in Joliet’s Clarius Park. The Will County facility will be Lion’s first U.S.-based location. The project will bring end-to-end OEM manufacturing vehicles back to Joliet creating jobs for local trades during construction, and more than 1,400 permanent jobs within five years.

The CED assisted Lion through the site selection process and worked closely with the City, County, Intersect Illinois, the Governor’s Office and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development to help bring the project to fruition.

“Will County has a proud heritage of manufacturing in a broad range of industries and projects like Lion Electric will help ensure that manufacturing will be a part of our future,” noted Doug Pryor, President and CEO for the Will County Center for Economic Development.

“The Lion Electric development is a welcome addition to the City of Joliet,” remarked Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekirk. “This facility is going to have a tremendous impact on our local economy by immense investment dollars and creation of high paying skilled-labor positions. Furthermore, this is an indicator that on a national scale the City of Joliet and the State of Illinois can compete for major employers and manufacturers who are seeking to grow.”

The Joliet location will become Lion Electric’s sole manufacturing facility in the United States, the largest global facility, and a showcase for consumers. Lion Electric was especially attracted to Joliet for its robust logistics industry, talent pool, and the Illinois climate change policy which aligns well with the electric vehicle market.

At full production, the facility will produce 20,000 all-electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles per year made by American workers. This factory is on-schedule to be operational before the end of the year.

The 2022 REJournals Illinois Real Estate Awards winners will be announced at a ceremony on Wednesday, July 13th.