Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
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Honorable Rahm Emanuel
Mayor
City of Chicago
121 N. LaSalle Street
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Dear Mayor Emanuel:
On behalf of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce I am writing to express our support for Northwestern University’s plan to build a new research facility on the site of the old Prentice Women’s Hospital. This project will contribute greatly to our economy and strengthen Chicago’s reputation as a world-class city and global leader in medical research and innovation.
The new facility will enable Northwestern to increase the amount of biomedical research grant money it attracts annually by 50 percent to over $450 million per year. The project will create 2,500 construction jobs and 2,000 permanent positions attracting high-income professionals and first-rate talent. The estimated net economic impact for Chicago is nearly $400 million per year. Furthermore, we believe this type of investment is consistent with the recommendations of World Business Chicago’s “Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs” and the Tri-State Alliance’s “OECD Territorial Review.”
You and your Administration are to be commended for successfully attracting jobs and creating economic growth opportunities here in Chicago. In order to maintain our standing as an economic powerhouse we must embrace private investment opportunities like this research center, which strengthen our reputation as a great place to do business.
Thank you for your consideration of our position on this important economic development matter.
Sincerely,
Gerald J. Roper
President & CEO