
CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson participated in a business roundtable organized by Investissement Québec International, featuring leading Quebec companies focused on sustainable development, transportation, water management, and green energy. The event underscores Mayor Johnson’s strategic initiative to attract businesses that will leverage Chicago’s proximity to one of the world’s largest freshwater bodies, aiming to boost the city’s economic growth without compromising public health and safety.
“Chicago’s underutilized strategic advantage in freshwater accessibility positions us to attract sustainable businesses, ensuring long-term economic and environmental prosperity,” stated Mayor Johnson. His vision targets nurturing a blue-green economy that supports both economic growth and ecological sustainability.
The roundtable, in collaboration with World Business Chicago, highlighted the city’s burgeoning green economy, which in 2022 generated over $18 billion and provided jobs for over 65,000 people, marking it as one of the top metro areas for green employment. The broader transitioning green economy, essential for clean energy and climate technology, supports over 500,000 jobs.
Charles Smith, Vice Chair of World Business Chicago, emphasized the correlation between strategic policies and business growth. “Our goal is to position Chicago as a global leader in the blue-green economy, capitalizing on our role as the Midwest’s transportation hub,” he explained.
Further illustrating Chicago’s commitment to this sector, the ‘Upstream Illinois: Strategies to Boost Illinois’ Blue Economy’ report by Current, a local water innovation hub, outlines the blue economy’s significant impact, representing a $16.7 billion industry in Illinois. Alaina Harkness, Executive Director of Current, expressed confidence in Chicago becoming a global hub for the blue economy, focusing on investments in water treatment technologies, infrastructure, and resource recovery.
The roundtable also celebrated a major boost from the National Science Foundation, which awarded a $160 million grant to the Great Lakes Water Innovation Engine (ReNEW) initiative in January. This investment is set to propel Chicago into a leadership role in blue technology research and innovation over the next decade, further solidifying its economic strategy.–News Desk