GSDC

Greater Southwest's Industrial Division focuses on attracting, retaining, and expanding manufacturing in Chicago's southwest industrial corridor. Established in 1995, the GSDC Industrial Division works with more than 120 area companies, who provide valuable assistance in identifying business needs and opportunities in the industrial corridor.

GSDC's Industrial Division serves the Greater Southwest and Harlem Industrial Corridors. The corridors cover an area broadly defined by the following borders:

• 55th on the North
• 79th on the South
• Harlem on the West
• CSX rail line on the East

Industrial development started in Chicago Lawn and Gage Park during the early 1940s. With Midway Airport nearby and vacant land plentiful, developers saw a perfect opportunity to expand industrial manufacturing. Some of the earliest industrial employers included a Ford aircraft engine plant and a goverment factory for war planes during World War II.

Characterized by large, modern and well-maintained industrial buildings, the southwest industrial corridor is one of the fastest-growing industrial areas on the south side of Chicago. It is a strategic location for warehousing, manufacturing, and industrial companies - many in the food products sector - because of its easy train and truck access, as well as its close proximity to the "Loop" and Midway Airport.

Due in large part to GSDC's work, the industrial corridor stands as one of the City of Chicago's Model Industrial Corridors, a designation that keeps the area's industrial environment competitive by bringing together both company and community interests in planning and implementing improvements.

The Local Industrial Retention Initiative (LIRI) was designed by the City of Chicago's Department of Planning & Development (now the Department of Community Development) to focus on industrial retention and development in specific industrial corridors. Because the industrial corridor is designated a LIRI, it benefits from a strategic development process that focuses on planning, implementing and managing activities that respond to both individual business needs and area-wide issues.

GSDC works closely with the City to maintain the continued growth and vitality of the southwest industrial corridor. The organization promotes the area's many advantages to potential industrial developers and actively markets available financial, technical and workforce development programs. GSDC's Industrial Division is a comprehensive resource center for new and emerging local industries. Our services include:

Resource Directory
GSDC publishes an up-to-date Industrial Resource Directory that provides valuable information about the area's industries, programs and services.

Consulting
GSDC's experienced Industrial Division staff hold first-hand knowledge of Chicago's southwest industrial corridor. GSDC staff work closely with the business community to identify specific needs and opportunities, and are available for field visits to industrial sites.

Technical Assistance in Applying to Financial Programs
The U.S. Government, several state agencies, and the City of Chicago have financial programs that encourage development in designated areas by providing assistance to businesses.

As a rule, if work begins or if commitments are made before program participation is approved, the project is not eligible for any program assistance. This makes it extremely important for business owners to explore all of their program options prior to starting a project.

GSDC helps business owners maximize the effectiveness of available programs by assessing how a business fits with particular programs, offering knowledgeable advice on how to proceed, and guiding business owners during the application process.

Workforce Assistance
Greater Southwest Development Corporation's Housing Division operates the Southwest REACH Center, which offers employment assistance to local residents through the services of Irma Ramos, an employment specialist. Irma also assists local companies with finding qualified, skilled employees and can be an excellent HR resource for companies large and small.

For assistance in evaluating program eligibility or to request an application, please contact Lenora M. Dailey, Deputy Director of Commercial & Industrial Services, (773) 436-1000 x102 or Danielle Dai, Industrial Development Assistant at (773) 436-1000 x.109. For best results, please contact GSDC early in your business start-up, relocation or expansion process!