GOT BEER? Here in Chicago “YES!” Beer Giant MillerCoors to Relocate To Chicago!
GOT BEER? Here in Chicago "YES!" Beer Giant MillerCoors to Relocate To Chicago!
CITY STATE OF ILLINOIS OFFERS BREWER NEARLY $20 MILLION IN INCENTIVES TO MOVE HERE!
A long time ago nearly a dozen brewers called Chicago home. The Peter Hand Brewing Company on the Near South Side produced the now-defunct Meister Brau and later the Old Chicago brands. Falstaff Beer was brewed here. Go back further for Fox Deluxe and other formerly-prominent beer names.
All of these regional and national breweries closed however. Today only small-batch brew pubs remain.
Until now that is!
Beginning in Spring 2009 MillerCoors the joint venture between Milwaukee-based SAB Miller and Denver-based Molson Coors will have its corporate headquarters here. Chicago beat out Suburban Dallas TX for the beer prize this time.
Incremental jobs coming to Chicago as a result of the move – only 300 to 400. But the prestige of landing another major packaged goods headquarters here – adding to newer arrivals United Airlines (from Chicago suburban Elk Grove Village) and Boeing (from Seattle WA) – adds sparkle to the vibrancy of Chicago many believe.
Many experts in economic development feel Chicago offers a healthy diverse economy with oodles of recreational and cultural amenities that can draw highly-skilled workers. According to MillerCoors President Tom Long Chicago has "access to an attractive base of talent transportation and business resources."
Says Julian Green a MillerCoors spokesman Chicago also offers "a long-established a hub of marketing and advertising." DraftFCB in Chicago is Coors’ lead ad agency. Starcom here is Miller’s media buyer while Y&R’s Chicago office handles the Miller Genuine Draft account.
Chicago has offered upwards of $2.5 Million in tax-increment financing to the beer giant. The State of Illinois has antied up a nearly $18 Million package of assistance involving primarily income tax rebates.
Perhaps with the corporate move Chicago might become "Sudstown" once again! Eliot Ness and his legendary Untouchables are probably spinning in their graves!
For more info check out Mike Hughlett’s story in Tuesday’s Chicago Tribune.
DEAN MOSS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
