Margolin Fanletic

Margolin Fanletic, an Illinois-based e-commerce apparel and shoe retailer, purchased a 232,000 sq. ft. building in Gurnee to expand its warehouse and distribution operations. This $17 million capital investment created 40 new jobs. LCP worked with the company to leverage Enterprise Zone economic incentives and defray a portion of the retrofit expenses.

RealWheels Corporation

Since 1978, RealWheels has manufactured stainless steel accessories for heavy-duty trucks and vehicles. With demand growing and new product development underway, RealWheels worked with LCP to expand into a 65,000 sq. ft. facility in Zion. LCP coordinated with city officials and the state to help RealWheels tap into TIF, EDGE, and Enterprise Zone incentives. As a result, RealWheels invested $6 million, retained 45 local employees and hired 15 new people.

Advanced Prototype Molding

For more than 40 years, Advanced Prototype Molding (APM) has been providing its prototype molding services via a wide range of capabilities including 3d printing, RTV molding, and tool and die. With business booming, APM made a capital investment of $5 million to expand into a new 50,000 sq. ft. facility and create 45 new jobs in Wauconda. With LCP’s help, APM tapped into a suite of incentives including TIF, Enterprise Zone, and EDGE.

Rosalind Franklin University

Rosalind Franklin University launched the Helix 51 incubator over four years ago to advance early-stage and start-up life science companies in Lake County.

Since its inception, Helix 51 has welcomed 15 companies specializing in fields such as oncology, cardiovascular health, infection disease, fibrotic disease and fibromyalgia.

Using $2 million in matching funds from the Illinois Department of Commerce’s wetlab buildout program awarded in 2022, RFU invested in the build out an additional 14,000 sq. ft. of wetlab space in the IRP that was recently completed and is now coming online. 

College of Lake County

The College of Lake County celebrated the grand opening of its crown jewel of manufacturing education: the incredible Advanced Technology Center (ATC) in Gurnee.

The ATC is strengthening Lake County’s workforce by providing industry-relevant career pathways focused on industrial technology, fabrication, and welding. It has also provided a space to nurture relationships with local manufacturers.

Phase 2 of the project, currently under consideration, will reimagine the other half of the facility and reflect the input from the broader community and local manufacturing leaders. 

Lake County Tech Campus

The Tech Campus was established nearly fifty years ago to pool together local educational resources to educate high school students. Today, it is an extension of 22 area high schools spanning Lake and McHenry counties. 

In 2022, the Tech Campus welcomed 1,900 students—its largest cohort in the past 10 years, which solidified its position as the biggest career technical secondary educational center in the entire state of Illinois. It is also the largest career center in the state, in space and student population.

Along with enrollment growth has come innovative programs that directly align with local employer needs.

Early Childhood Eduation

Lake County is an excellent best place to be a child and raise a family, but there are opportunities to enhance its support systems for children and families from the prenatal period through age five.

Investments of this nature would help fortify Lake County's talent pipeline and make it possible for more parents in their prime working years to pursue career opportunities without sacrificing the care or education of their children.

LCP is working with a group of philanthropic and educational partners to build on the results of a landscape assessment of the early childhood system, and design a path forward to providing critical services to every child and family who needs them.

Housing Growth

Talent is a major consideration of businesses considering investments and expansions, and it goes hand-in-hand with housing.

A tight housing market has turned LCP's attention on a study that is examining demand across a variety of types and price points to ensure that Lake County's housing landscape is competitive and attractive. 

The final study, scheduled to be completed in late 2023, will help communities make land use, transportation and infrastructure decisions and identify opportunities for reuse of underutilized spaces.

Broadening Collaborations

The CEDS challenged LCP to expand the scope of its work, inviting conversations about how Lake County fits within the region, the Midwest and the global economy; one of the results of this discussion was the formation of the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership. 

The CEDS also dug into socioeconomic themes, encouraging a deeper look at LCP's diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. LCP subsequently amended its bylaws for the first time in nearly 20 years to ensure that its guiding principals are reflective and respectful of Lake County's vibrant and diverse community. To further support this goal, LCP staff also assumed leadership roles on boards tackling wide-ranging issues like land use, affordable housing, community health, college and career awareness, workforce development, transportation and transit. 

GCEP Events

Since its inception, GCEP has provided plenty of opportunities for regional leaders to collaborate, highlight industry trends, draw attention to local innovation, and attract business leaders and investment. 

Invested Together

LCP hosted its inaugural "Invested Together" investor event at Independence Grove to encourage networking, strengthen local connections, and celebrate Lake County's booming economy.

Municipal Meeting Series

LCP built on its longstanding meeting series for municipal partners, made possible by the support of Libertyville Bank & Trust, N.A. The meetings continue to reinforce LCP's strong ties with community leaders.