Mars Snacking is opening a new North America regional headquarters in Chicago’s Fulton Market district, a project expected to create 600 new jobs and add to the neighborhood’s growing profile as a corporate hub. The new office hub is being built with capacity for more than 1,000 employees.
The announcement adds to a string of major corporate investments in Illinois in recent years. Global biopharmaceutical company CSL also recently broke ground on a $1.5 billion investment at its manufacturing site in Kankakee, a project expected to create at least 300 new jobs while expanding production of plasma-derived therapies.
Illinois’ economic development efforts have driven substantial investment over the past decade. State economic development officials point to more than $12 billion in investment and roughly 21,000 jobs tied to their recruitment efforts over that period, including projects like a $120 million supplier park tied to electric vehicle maker Rivian and a $500 million modernization project from manufacturer Wieland.
Fulton Market’s continued growth as a corporate destination — already home to major offices from companies like Google and McDonald’s — adds momentum to Chicago’s pitch to companies considering relocating or expanding operations in the city, even as the region continues to compete with other Midwest metros for large-scale employer investment.