MIDWEST GROWTH LEADER

A beacon in Greater Chicago

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ZONES OF OPPORTUNITY

Latest activity in four top development areas

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PLUGGED IN

Future ready with $400M+ in energy investments

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CUE KANKAKEE: REMOTE WORKING

How a big national trend plays out locally

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JOY RIDE

When you're ready to unwind

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VALUED EMPLOYERS
2025 MARKET PROFILE
INCENTIVES
RESIDENTIAL MARKET ANALYSIS
LABOR SHED ANALYSIS
Thrive

Welcome

Kankakee County, Illinois, is ideally situated 45 miles south of Downtown Chicago along the I-57 Corridor. Ready access to interstate, rail, all utilities, fiber and workforce helps our diversified business community to thrive. A suite of stackable incentives supports targeted industrial, commercial and residential investment.

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Investment-ready Development Zones

Learn more about the Bourbonnais Parkway Development Area

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Learn more about the Bradley Route 50 Commercial Corridor

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Learn more about the Kankakee Riverfront Opportunity Zone

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Warehouse Interior

Learn more about the Manteno Diversatech Business Park

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Investment-ready Development Zones

With investment sites available across all of Kankakee County's 680 square miles, this tool offers a deeper dive into those that fall within four prime development areas.

News & Events

Opening Soon: Applications for $20,000 Small Business Grants

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

To help small businesses grow, innovate, and support their local communities, American Express is teaming up with Main Street America...

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Riverside recognized as Military Friendly Employer for 2026

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Riverside Healthcare announced that it has earned the Military Friendly Employer designation for the fourth consecutive year.

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New Thrive Magazine

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

From new investments and developments to job creation and the latest educational opportunities, Kankakee County’s economy continues to strengthen. Explore...

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Latest Cost of Living Numbers

Monday, November 3, 2025

The latest Cost of Living Index numbers for the third quarter of 2025 are in - and Kankakee County continues...

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PROGRESS IN MANUFACTURING

Manufacturing hub rank among small communities across the US:
Local economy supported by manufacturing:
Total annual economic output from Kankakee County:
Local salaries & benefits in manufacturing:
Total Kankakee County manufacturing jobs (direct & indirect):
Exported annually from local businesses:
Average wage across all county manufacturing jobs: $ 93,834

Primary Business Sectors

Major primary business sectors within Kankakee County include life sciences, food processing, health care, metals and machining, renewable energy, hospitality, and transportation and logistics.

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High Paying Wages

$93,834 is the average wage across all manufacturing jobs in Kankakee County.

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Total Economic Input

Manufacturing in Illinois contributes a total economic input of between $580 billion and $611 billion annually, the largest contributor to the state’s gross domestic product of any industry.

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Gross Domestic Product

$6.6 billion in gross domestic product is produced and $1.6 billion is exported annually from Kankakee County.

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Supporting the Community

For every 10 jobs in manufacturing, three jobs are created elsewhere in Kankakee County. Manufacturing supports 1.7 million jobs across Illinois.

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Illinois' Manufacturing Base

65% of the manufacturing base in Illinois derives from the five major subsectors of Food and Agriculture Manufacturing, Metal Fabrication Manufacturing, Heavy Equipment Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, and Transportation Equipment Manufacturing.

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Manufacturing Development Partners

The work done by manufacturing partners in Illinois allow for education, resources and advocacy for supporting our community. The Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center and the Illinois Manufacturers' Association work with employers to help grow the economic base of Kankakee County.

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Supply Chain Center

This center empowers local manufacturers to connect with nearby suppliers, collaborate and optimize operations. The partnership between the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center and the Illinois Manufacturers Association allows for security and agility in the fact of global disruptions.

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Development Partners