Companies operating in Illinois know firsthand about the assets the state offers growing businesses. A world-renowned airport, more than 50 railroads and more than 2,000 miles of interstate highway ensure that getting goods to where they need to be is never an issue.

Illinois’ quality of life also plays an important role in the state’s attraction to residents and outsiders alike. But it is also the state’s commitment to business development that makes it a steady favorite for thriving companies.

The state’s Opportunity Returns program has proven an important component in its effort to attract and retain expanding companies. Opportunity Returns is the most aggressive and comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois’ history.

The state is divided into 10 regions, each of which has been provided with a team empowered to take action to upgrade the local work force, increase access to capital, improve infrastructure, open new markets and create jobs.

Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan’s largest pharmaceutical firm, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., has benefited from various forms of assistance offered by the state under the Opportunity Returns umbrella.

The company is undertaking a major expansion project to relocate and expand its North American headquarters operations in Deerfield, in the Chicago metro.

The company’s new 1.2 million square foot campus, which will eventually be home to five office buildings, will bring about 500 new jobs to the area. The first phase of construction, which will include two office buildings, is expected to be complete in 2006.

The company will receive more than $15 million in Opportunity Returns funds to support the project. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will also make available tax credits based on job creation during a 10-year period and funding for work force training.

“We are excited to have a new headquarters campus that reflects Takeda’s mission to improving health care and our commitment to being a leader in the pharmaceutical industry,” said Mark Booth, president of Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America.

Takeda Pharmaceuticals currently markets oral diabetes and cholesterol lowering treatments in the United States. Additionally, through the Takeda Global Research & Development Center Inc., the company boasts a pipeline brimming with new compounds in development for diabetes, sleep conditions, cardiovascular disease and other ailments.

The project will help to fortify the emerging biotech corridor that is taking shape in Northeast Illinois.

Pella Finds Window of Opportunity

A host of other business developments have occurred that further enhance the state’s core industries, notably the manufacturing sector. Window and door maker Pella Corp. broke ground in April on a 275,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Macomb.

The Pella, Iowa-based company’s expansion will result in 480 new jobs. The lucrative work force was one of the key reasons the company expanded its Macomb operations.

“[It] will allow us to serve our growing customer base, creating more outstanding career opportunities in the process,” said Mel Haught, president and CEO of Pella Corp. “The western Illinois region has historically earned a reputation for a dedicated work force creating quality products.”

An incentive package that included corporate income tax credits, various grants, job training funds and other financial perks helped make the location decision a cost-effective one for the company.

Metform, a part of the MacLean Vehicle Systems Group, also recently undertook an expansion of its manufacturing operations in Mount Carroll in Northwest Illinois.

The company is purchasing a new facility to expand its operations by 53,000 square feet and is creating 25 jobs in the process. Metform was awarded more than $230,000 in Opportunity Returns support.

The new facility, to be known as Metform Machined Components, will be focused on secondary machining operations for high volume automotive transmission and suspension components.