Illinois to Foreign Investors: We’re Open for Business

Illinois delegation showcased the state’s global advantages to international leaders in Washington, D.C. and at the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland.

 

Productive Conversations: 162 Company Engagements in 3 Days 

Led by Gov. Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and Intersect Illinois, an Illinois delegation traveled to Washington, DC and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, as part of a broader strategy to attract foreign direct investment.  

Team Illinois, a coalition of partners across the state committed to economic growth, met with dozens of international companies, investors, and site selectors on why they should do business in Illinois. Intersect Illinois met with over 100 companies at the summit alone.  

“We had productive conversations with international companies at SelectUSA about doing business in our state, many of whom have Illinois on their short list,” said Paulina San Millan, Intersect Illinois SVP of business development. “Our strategic location, ample available sites, and robust workforce are big draws for companies looking to come to the U.S.” 

 This year’s SelectUSA Investment Summit was the largest to date, tallying over 5.5K attendees from over 100 international markets and 54 states and territories. 

 “It’s been a really incredible experience,” said Chris Setti, CEO of Greater Peoria EDC, of his first time attending the summit. “I’ve gotten a chance to meet people from Turkey, Myanmar, Brazil, and Singapore. It’s such a wonderful experience to showcase Illinois here to the rest of the world in one spot.” 

 “The reason that we’re here is to sell Illinois to the rest of the world and let them know that we’re the place to be for foreign direct investment,” said Patrick Hoban, president and CEO of Bloomington-Normal EDC. “And if they want to make things close to where they sell them, Illinois is the place to do it.” 

Building Momentum in Critical Industries: Welcoming Damera, Diraq and a Tri-Lateral Quantum Talk 

The team also celebrated a pair of international companies that announced decisions to be in Illinois, exemplifying the state’s rising status as a hub for innovation and emerging technologies.  

 Alongside Gov. Pritzker and DCEO, Canadian electric bus maker Damera announced it will locate its first U.S. assembly in Greater Peoria. Supported by a Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois (REV Illinois) agreement, the company will invest $31.5 million and create at least 90 jobs.  

 “We actually met Damera at last year’s SelectUSA, so the company’s announcement to locate its first U.S. facility in Illinois during this year’s summit was a full circle moment for us,” said Cathriona Fey, Intersect Illinois VP of clean energy production and manufacturing. “The behind-the-scenes of attracting a new company — from the initial meeting to the ribbon cutting — is deeply fulfilling, especially when we get to celebrate wins with such a big community impact.”   

 Australian quantum startup Diraq announced its intent to be a future tenant at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP). While the park is under development, the startup will utilize the park’s On-Ramp, a program designed for future IQMP tenants to enter and leverage the state’s quantum ecosystem by operating out of a local innovation facility.  

“We’re proud of our role in recruiting Diraq and are excited to see it progress in Illinois,” said Intersect Illinois President and CEO Christy George.    

Diraq executive Boyar Naito joined Gov. Pritzker, Australian Ambassador to the U.S. Kevin Rudd, United Kingdom Ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson, eight other quantum companies, and Illinois leaders including Intersect’s Chief Quantum Officer Preeti Chalsani in a roundtable at the Australian embassy to talk about joint opportunities to advance innovation in the quantum computing industry. More in Gov. Pritzker’s recap. 

“Meaningful collaboration across borders will ensure the strongest opportunities for innovation, research, and success — all while creating jobs and economic growth for the people of our respective regions,” said Gov. Pritzker. 

Some participants also spent some time on Capitol Hill, for meetings with members of Congress and international delegations. 

Cultural Highlights and Team Building 

The trip also allowed economic development leaders from Illinois to connect with government leaders, including at a breakfast honoring their hard work, hosted by Gov. Pritzker and attended by members of Congress including Sen. Dick Durbin and U.S. Reps. Nikki Budzinski, Danny Davis, Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Bill Foster, Mike Quigley, and Brad Schneider.  

Guests were invited to a Team Illinois reception at National Harbor restaurant Rosa Mexicano, where they could compete in the annual “Rock the Guac” guacamole-making competition (and then enjoy the entries!).  

Illinois supplemented serious talks at SelectUSA about its strengths with a literal taste of some other #BeInIllinois perks — a rich culinary and confectionery manufacturing history —by offering attendees samples of Chicago-style pizza, Eli’s cheesecake, and Illinois-made candies. 

During State & Local Night, summit attendees also had a chance to take photos with Illinois icon Abraham Lincoln and to enter a raffle for free roundtrip airfare tickets courtesy of Chicago-based United Airlines.  

“When it comes to marketing Illinois as the preeminent place to do business, the process of ideating never stops,” said Rody Abdelrahman, PCM, CDMP, Intersect Illinois senior director of marketing. “From our swarms of ‘Be in Illinois’ themed cars and decals on the streets of National Harbor and DC, to our showstopping booth that included Illinois themed sweets and treats and a larger-than-life Abe on stilts, the goal is to let the world know that there’s no better place to live, work, or play, than in Illinois.” 

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