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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Personal Care Product Manufacturer, Method, Plans Production Facility On Chicago’s Southside

07/18/2013
A firm that creates naturally derived home, fabric and personal care products, Method, will open its flagship manufacturing facility in Chicago, Illinois’ historic Pullman neighborhood on the city’s south side. The new facility, located near the intersection of East 111th Street and South Doty Avenue in Pullman Park, a 180-acre retail, housing, park, and recreation development, is expected to bring 100 manufacturing jobs to the Windy City.

“Building a world-class manufacturing plant is pivotal for us as a leader in innovative and sustainable products and the support from the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois has been integral in our considerations,” said Drew Fraser, CEO of Method. “Chicago’s commitment to job growth and its business-friendly environment truly helped make this opportunity possible for Method.”

“The opportunity to build our first manufacturing plant in Chicago marks a milestone in Method’s journey of aligning our interests as a business with the interests of society and the environment .The Pullman neighborhood of Chicago not only has a rich industrial heritage that serves as a fitting backdrop to an inspiring new model for urban renewal and sustainable manufacturing, there is a strong spirit and work ethic among this community,” stated Adam Lowry, Co-Founder and Chief Greens keeper of Method."

“Today marks a milestone in our quest to attract jobs and companies to the City of Chicago,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “A fast-growing company like Method could have chosen any city to expand their company, but with our world-class business services, our international market access, and our highly-skilled workers, they chose Chicago as the place to build their first manufacturing center in the U.S. With their commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability, I am proud to welcome Method to the city of Chicago.”

Method’s location was made possible, in part, by the efforts of the Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives, a neighborhood-based community development organization designed to strengthen Chicago low-to moderate-income communities. The City expects the Developer, CNI, to apply for between approximately $8-9 million toward the reimbursement of TIF-eligible expenses, including but not limited to site acquisition and site preparation. The City will also provide TIF funding for job training. In addition, the company is applying for credits under the State's Enterprise Zone program.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is administering the state’s business investment package. Method will be eligible for tax credits worth $1.1 million over ten years based on creating and retaining 65 jobs. Method will also be eligible for training grants to enhance the quality of its workforce.

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