Roncadin

Italian pizza maker Roncadin committed to Lake County for its new and expanded US headquarters, manufacturing, and distribution operations via the purchase of a 68,279 sq. ft. building at 220 N. Fairway Drive, Vernon Hills. With full operations starting in early 2024, Roncadin will employ 170 workers at their state-of-the-art facility.       

Carlson Labs

In recognizing the value of Lake County’s talent, vitamin and supplements manufacturer Carlson Labs acquired 350,000 sq. ft. for its expanded manufacturing operations at 100-120 Schelter Road in Lincolnshire. This highly-automated facility will retain 50 jobs in Lake County and add an additional 140 to the thriving workforce. 

Nemera

Medical device manufacturer Nemera, which produces auto-injectors and pre-filled syringes in Buffalo Grove, is further expanding in Lake County with the purchase of 190,000 sq. ft. at 600 Darling Drive, Vernon Hills. The facility’s 100 new employees will support production of Nemera’s proprietary products in ophthalmics by multiplying capacity to produce their multidose eyedropper Novelia®.   

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 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, RFU has invested in the buildout an additional 14,000 sq. ft. of wetlab space in the IRP that was recently completed and is now available.

In 2023, RFU announced that a new tenant, 3² Biosciences, along with its subsidiary companies Gateway Biome and Covira, signed on for space. Together, the companies are advancing research related to the important role that the gut microbiome plays in disease. 

RFU was also recently awarded $8.1 million in funds from the Illinois Board of Higher Education to bolster existing training infrastructure, which includes renovating and modernizing labs and incorporating state-of-the-art equipment, so expect more to come soon.

College of Lake County

Momentum at the Advanced Technology Center (ATC) continues to build as the facility strengthens Lake County’s workforce by providing career pathways and nurturing relationships with local manufacturers. 

In 2023, as part of a state-wide workforce initiative, the College of Lake County revitalized its efforts to attract, train and place diverse healthcare professionals using $1.5 million to provide programming and student support. Funded by the Illinois Community College Board, the Pipeline for the Advancement of Healthcare (PATH) Workforce Grant provides financial support and wrap around services to a diverse group of students studying high-demand professions including nursing, medical imaging and pharmacy tech.

More than 2,000 students have received direct support from PATH funds. The state approved an additional $1.3 million to continue investing in the development of short and long-term educational training allowing underrepresented individuals to enter or advance their careers in the healthcare industry.  

Lake County Tech Campus

The Tech Campus is well-regarded as one of the best career and technical education training facilities in the Midwest. It 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.

This year, the Tech Campus welcomed 2,100  students— the largest cohort in the school’s history, 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, both in space and student population.

The Tech Campus rounded out 2023 by hosting the Look North Group, a consortium of philanthropic leaders in Lake County which includes the Gorter Family Foundation, the Hunter Family Foundation and the Schreiber Foundation. Through this unique opportunity, the Tech Campus was able to showcase its programs and students, with a special focus on the school's culinary arts program which created, catered and served over 200 guests from the group.

Japan Delegation

Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart and LCP president and CEO Kevin Considine joined Chicagoland leaders on a delegation trip to Japan, coinciding with the 50-year sister city partnership between Chicago and Osaka. The visit marked a significant milestone in fostering international collaboration, business attraction and economic growth.

New Regional Asset Map

GCEP stakeholders collaborated on a new report to illuminate the strategic and economic strengths that define the Chicagoland region as a nexus for business and innovation. The report, and its accompanying map, have already become an essential resource for site selectors, executives, and entrepreneurs alike. Review it here.

Regional Events

With a wide-range of events tailored to hot industry trends ranging from food manufacturing to life science investment, WBC oversees nearly 100 events each year to gather leaders together, highlight local innovation and attract investment. LCP collaborates with WBC and GCEP partners to network and leverage these opportunities in new ways.

Big Event

LCP revived the highly anticipated Big Event, with another sold-out crowd of over 500 business and civic leaders, with insights from Board leadership, County Board Chair Sandy Hart and Keynote Speaker David Epstein. 

Invested Together

LCP hosted its second-annual "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.