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Published on: 10/13/2008
Last Visited: 5/4/2007
Tom Bartkoski, director of international business development at World Business Chicago, says location is the most important.
Chicago's geographic location allows companies to cover their own markets and track other markets across the country as well, Bartkoski said in an interview with MidwestBusiness.com.He added: "It is something a costal city can't duplicate."He says Chicago can easily reach markets because of shipping capabilities and air transportation.
In terms of Chicago's friendliness to business, Bartkoski believes this is subjective.There was only so much information that could be included within the proposals.Chicago did include tax records and employer contribution data.He added: "We would like to improve this ranking the next time around."
"Chicago has a high-energy economy, a world-class development and investment promotion program, good human resources and quality of life, good infrastructure, a strong track record in attracting inward investment and reasonable real estate, utility and labor costs," Piggot said.
The announcement of the city of the future award has many benefits for the city.Bartkoski added: "It raises international [interest] coming from a foreign source.It spreads the message of Chicago as a site for foreign investments."
Bartkoski says the award is positive in terms of rank and competition.Along with alerting an international community, he says it lets a domestic audience know how their city ranks against the rest of the world.