CLEAN ENERGY: KEEPING IT GREEN & CLEAN IN ILLINOIS
Going clean and green is the new mantra in Illinois; and here’s where that work is taking shape the fastest.
Automotive
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING: Many Factors Drive Advanced Factory Growth Statewide
Why do the world’s most advanced manufacturers choose Illinois? A highly skilled workforce is at the center of their decisions.
MEXICO: Confidence in A Selective Market
Manufacturing capacity, a young and technically skilled workforce and informed decision-making guide growth in Mexico’s changing business landscape.
TEXAS: Why Toyota Selected San Antonio
The Lone Star State topped competitors to land the biggest U.S. auto plant deal of 2026 — to the tune of $3.6 billion and 2,000 jobs. Plus insights into renewables, ports and “Project Kilby” in West Texas.
Project Bulletin, June 15, 2026: Mulhouse, France; Great Falls, Montana; Falls Township, Pennsylvania
In support of the French governments initiatives to decarbonize mobility, Stellantis invests over $1.1 billion for the production of three new Peugeot models of hybrid cars based on the STLA One model. Investments will boost Peugeot in the European automotive flagship market segment which accounts for 30% of automotive sales. Production will start in 2029 in Mulhouse, France, roughly 300 miles Northwest of Paris, in the Mulhouse plant, the new project ensuring future stability for the 4,500 employed there.
Project Bulletin, May 18, 2026: Zárate, Argentina; Boulder, Colorado; Orange, Texas
A Daimler Truck subsidiary launches truck and bus production in Argentina; IonQ will establish a quantum computing and semiconductor chip testing laboratory in Colorado; USG Corporation expands its operational portfolio in Texas
NORTH AMERICAN AUTOMOTIVE: Snapshots from the Top 10 Vehicular States
Take a ride with snapshots of some of the top 10 vehicular states on the continent.
Project Bulletin, April 6, 2026: Vance, Alabama; Lappeenranta, Finland; Norton Shores, Michigan
Mercedes-Benz announces $4 billion facility expansion in Alabama; Nebius plans latest AI factory in Finland; Chobani grows a La Colombe production facility in Michigan.
Project Bulletin, March 30, 2026: Georgetown, Kentucky, and Princeton, Indiana; Liberty, Missouri; McAllen, Texas
Toyota Motor Company announces facility upgrades in Kentucky and Indiana; Metrobloks plans new data center campus in Missouri; Valeo to deliver new manufacturing capabilities to Texas.
Project Bulletin, January 12, 2026: Santa Teresa, New Mexico; Dayton, Ohio; Hanover, Germany
GreenPower Motor Company takes advantage of FTZ designation in New Mexico; Joby Aviation announces second manufacturing site in Ohio; Emirates Global Aluminum plans expansion for its Leichtmetall site in Germany.
AUTOMOTIVE EPICENTER: The Great Lakes Are the Globe’s AUTOMOTIVE HOMETOWN
EVs, batteries and more — the mobility of the world turns on the region’s automotive cluster, which explains why two of the Big Three have new HQs.
U.S. – MEXICOBORDER: Drivers of the Economy
What is impacting economic activity at the U.S.-Mexico border?
Project Bulletin, June 2, 2025: Budapest, Hungary; Lohr, Germany; Telford, England
BYD relocates its Europe HQ to Hungary; Gerresheimer AG completes Lohr glass facility expansion; Weapons manufacturer plans new production facility in England.
NORTH AMERICAN AUTOMOTIVE
A visit to BMW’s South Carolina plant and some choice words defending that site’s economic development impact headline Alexis Elmore’s report on a sector befuddled by tariffs but moving forward with projects nevertheless.
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY DRIVES KENTUCKY’S ECONOMY FORWARD
Brands like Ford, Lincoln, Toyota and GM propel Kentucky to No. 1 per capita in passenger vehicle production in the U.S.
ILLINOIS: Stellantis is Here to Stay
Stellantis will reopen its Belvidere plant. The state continues to attract investments in the EV and clean energy sectors.
SOUTH – CENTRAL: High Hopes for Huge Lithium Reserves
The Smackover Formation in Arkansas is one part of a regional lithium play with promise for the EV and battery sectors.
Project Bulletin, Feb. 17, 2025: Greenville, South Carolina; Texas City, Texas; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Isuzu Motors expands EV capabilities in South Carolina; New JV addresses energy infrastructure needs in Texas; Lenovo brings its tech to Saudi Arabia.
FINDING AND HIRING EXITING MILITARY VETERANS: How’s This for a Workforce?
Military hires can make you better — if you’ll get with the program.
TOYOTA TRIPLES DOWN IN KENTUCKY
The world’s largest car company is making waves in workforce development in Kentucky.
Virginia: Why a UK Roadster Firm Chose A Small Virginia Town
Why a UK maker of roadsters chose a small Virginia town; and a conversation with Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin.
GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE: ‘Eclectic, NOT Electric’
South American powerhouse Brazil is more eclectic than electric, says one insider. Plus a look at how Europe and the United States are responding to growing Chinese EV companies.
Illinois Is Going Electric
Expanding incentives support a growing ecosystem.
In Illinois, Industry and Academia Go Hand in Hand
World-class research is a game changer in Illinois, and it starts in the university lab.