Good morning. Morning. Thank you all for being here. I'd like to welcome the governor, the IEDC, the CEO, and the local leaders of Joliet. It's a pleasure to have you all here today, and thank you for joining us. If you haven't met me, my name is Sean Kenny. I'm the CEO of Hyundai Translead. Thank you. Thank you. So, we've called you all together today to make a very exciting announcement on the heels of our announcement back in the March time frame. Today we're excited to announce an increased investment in the state, in this facility, and in this project. We are going to be investing from $450 million previously announced up to $600 million now, and going from 2,475 jobs to 3,750 jobs here in the near term. So thank you. So, for those who like math, that is a 33% increase in investment and a 50% increase in jobs. And we're very excited that this is a major step forward in our long-term strategy.
What this facility will mean, as you've probably heard us say in the past: expanding these manufacturing facilities and expanding our footprint will bring us closer not only to our customers, but to our suppliers, and help us start building in a community that we have come to love. This capacity and flexibility will be needed for the future, and it'll serve logistics for generations to come, and we're extremely excited about it. What we're most excited about are the people. Before we can start building the products that are behind us right now, we have to have people to do this. Years from now, people will say, "I started at Hyundai Translead in 2027." What an exciting thing to hear. Years from now, we'll have some that will actually say, "I started in 2026 and I was the first employee hired at Hyundai Translead Manufacturing of America," maybe even around you at this moment.
So, our goal is to really impact the community first and build trailers second. The goal of impacting lives, touching families, and lifting up communities has always been steadfast with what we do. It will continue here in an even greater scale as we unfold. So together, we're excited to contribute to Joliet's proud legacy of manufacturing. We're excited to be a part of this community, and we look forward to that. So, you know, thank you to Governor Pritzker for his vision and for the partnership that they've shown, our local leaders, our educators, our community partners, for all of your partnerships and as you've helped us navigate what has been a very complex situation. We're going to invest in great products here, but more importantly, we'll invest in great careers. So, with that, we thank you for coming today. And I am personally very touched by the response of this community as we've entered it and sought to navigate these challenging waters that are ahead of us. So with that, I'd like to introduce from the great state of Illinois our governor JB Pritzker.
Thank you. What a great day. What a great day. Good morning, everyone. I am very proud to be back here in Joliet to announce this major investment that will bring thousands of good-paying jobs to Will County. And as many of you know, last March, of course, we announced that Hyundai Translead, the leading trailer manufacturer in North America, was making a $470 million investment here and creating 2,475 jobs. If that wasn't exciting enough, now collectively, as you heard from Sean, that investment has gone up to $600 million and 3,750 new jobs. Now, if that isn't something to celebrate, I don't know what is. This is an extraordinary development for this region. It's an extraordinary development for Joliet and for the state of Illinois and the families and workers of this great state.
I want to recognize some of the partners who've helped to make this possible. First and foremost, of course, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to CEO Sean Kenny and to the entire Hyundai Translead team for choosing Illinois and for growing here in our state and growing with us. I want to thank Will County Chair Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant. She's been a partner and a friend for some time now, and I'm grateful for all that she does to help grow the economy here and, of course, make it a great place for people to live. Mayor Terry Darcy, similarly, when he came into office, I felt like I got another good partner trying to determine how we could bring more business and more jobs to the state and to this city. And Senator Rachel Ventura, who I get to work with every day in Springfield and a great representative for the people that have elected her and sent her to work with me. And these are all people who know how to get big things done, and that's a team that you want to have around you for the state of Illinois. And I certainly am grateful. Workforce development, led by President Dr. Klein Namuo of Joliet Junior College. He's a vital part of our success. They are a vital part of our success. And this isn't the first time that Dr. Namuo has stepped up and Joliet Junior College has stepped up to make possible great things for this community, and I'm grateful to have him here once again in this endeavor.
Thanks also to our partners in economic development. You're going to hear from some of them. Christian Richards and Alli Grady at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Doug Prior, of course, at the Will County Center for Economic Development, and Christy George at the Illinois Economic Development Corporation. I'd also like to thank Pat Young from the Will Grundy Building Trades and Tom White from the Three Rivers Alliance for being with us today. Folks, this is big. This is big. If I seem like a big guy to you, I know big. This is way bigger. And Hyundai Translead is making the single largest job creation announcement today in Illinois in decades. That is tremendous. And we should all be really excited about that.
And today is just the latest sign of our progress in our pursuit to become the top site selection destination in the nation. Because of Sean Kenny and this intrepid team, Hyundai Translead and Will County are thriving. 3,750 jobs. I'm just going to be repeating that all day long and maybe all year long. 3,750 jobs. That means thousands of opportunities for Illinoisans to build careers, to support their families, to put their skills to work in an industry vital to our future. Transportation, logistics, distribution, that's something Illinois is known for, and having a manufacturing facility like this just sort of puts the big stamp of approval on that for Illinois. Whether we're talking about a young person that's entering the workforce for the first time or a mid-career manufacturing worker looking to advance in this thriving industry, Hyundai Translead is creating the opportunity for people to put down roots and to build a great future for themselves and for their families.
Our economic development work is attracting more and more companies, creating good advanced manufacturing jobs for Illinois's working families. And it's all about, well, three simple words: jobs, jobs, jobs. And that doesn't just happen by accident. The state of Illinois has been intentional about our commitment to this work. We're laying the foundation for sustainable growth by making historic investments in education, in infrastructure, and our workforce development, and by competing and winning against competitor states in the quest to build the next generation of faster economic development so that our people and our business community can succeed.
One of the reasons that we've been successful at attracting leading companies like Hyundai Translead is that we are the Midwest's leading workforce development hub. We have the best people, the best skilled workers, and the best opportunity for people to get the education that they need to get a good job. In fact, along with Joliet Junior College, we've created a new manufacturing training academy to support this investment. That partnership is going to strengthen the regional talent pipeline by providing training opportunities for those who are looking to enter advanced manufacturing. Our best asset in Illinois are our people. That's our best asset. And when we invest in Illinois's workers, it's good for our communities. It's good for our economy. It's good for major job creators like Hyundai Translead who can hire the world-class workforce that they need to grow and to compete. Today's announcement is truly an important step toward a prosperous future for us all and the demonstration of all that Illinois can accomplish when we invest in our people and in our potential. To Sean Kenny, to Hyundai Translead, to all of you here, thank you. Thank you for your confidence in Illinois. Thank you for your confidence in the workers of this great state. And with that, I want to call to the podium Christy George, the CEO of the Illinois Economic Development Corporation.
Thank you, Governor, for that introduction and for your tireless commitment to making Illinois a destination for investment, innovation, and opportunity. It is a wonderful and beautiful morning here. I wish we were outside. Who knew in late October it was going to be 70 degrees? I mean, it's incredible. But it is so, so wonderful to be here with you this morning. As the governor shared, my name is Christy George. I'm the president and CEO of the Illinois Economic Development Corporation. At Illinois EDC, we have one mission, which is to compete for investment, win projects, and bring new capital, investment, and jobs to the great state of Illinois. For the past two years, my team has had the privilege of working alongside Hyundai Translead to bring their first US manufacturing operations to Illinois. And just seven months after announcing its initial investment, Hyundai Translead is back, doubling down on Illinois, announcing a second expansion and bringing 3,750 jobs to this region. That is an incredible vote of confidence in Illinois. And it's especially meaningful to bring life back to two shuttered plants in the region. Now, there are plenty of reasons why manufacturers choose Illinois. We're at the crossroads of North America with world-class transportation infrastructure and access to customers and suppliers across the country. But what makes Illinois special isn't just our physical assets. As you heard the governor share, it is our people. It is our partnerships. And it's our commitment to delivering on our promises. In Illinois, our commitment to companies doesn't end with an announcement. We're invested in their success for the long haul. Sean, as a son of Illinois, thank you for your investment and congratulations to you and the entire Hyundai Translead team. We are so proud to be your partner.
I want to acknowledge the Team Illinois coalition that worked together to win this project. Claire Delay and Paulina Samayan, as well as Robin Ficky at Illinois EDC, the Will County Center for Economic Development, including Doug Prior, Joliet Junior College, and especially President Namuo. And of course, our partners at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Alli Grady, Director Richards, Lisa Sto, and our team in the governor's office, Cass Peters, and Andrea VJO. Thank you for all of the work that you do to work as one team Illinois. It is now my privilege to introduce another tremendous champion for economic growth and opportunity in this region, Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant.
Well, good morning everyone. What another beautiful day, and I'm so honored to sit with this team as we celebrate another transformational economic development project for Joliet, Will County, and the region. These facilities represent a significant long-term investment into our community by Hyundai Translead, and I am deeply appreciative of Hyundai Translead choosing Will County. This represents the success of strong partnerships, including the collaboration between local partners, state partners, as well as the involvement of Joliet Junior College, a driving force behind workforce education. This investment is yet another demonstration that Will County's proud history as a manufacturing hub is not behind us. It remains a strong sector of our economy and a pillar for our continued economic success.
When we're talking about growth in Illinois and the Midwest, both economic and population growth, I'm proud that Will County continues to be at the forefront. We remain a place where businesses can invest, advance, and create opportunities for working families. This isn't a coincidence. We have all the assets that drive this success, including access to an international transportation network, a strong workforce, diverse employment sectors, and vibrant communities that people want to live in. Large-scale projects like this represent long-term, sustainable careers for our residents close to home. Job opportunities that help families move to Will County and Joliet to lay down roots, which fuels real, sustained development in our communities. All of this has a ripple effect that improves the quality of life for residents throughout the region. I am excited to see the positive impact that Hyundai Translead will have for the people of Will County, and I appreciate everyone in this room who made this opportunity possible. Thank you for being with us today, and I am proud now to introduce the mayor of Joliet, Mayor Terry Darcy.
Good morning. Another great day in Joliet. Quick story. On my way home last night, I stopped to see my mother. She's a hundred years old. She has a sharp memory. And I told her that I might be in the paper again. And she said, "Hopefully something good." And I said, "It's good, Mom." She reminded me that my ancestor, the original John Darcy in 1853, came to Joliet, and where we're standing today was his 500 acres. He cleared the lumber, sold the timber for homes up in Chicago, and the railroad used it for their train engines. He cleared the lumber, and this became his farm. So it's a bit nostalgic to be standing here today and watch how this has morphed out over the years to become Caterpillar and now the exciting news of Hyundai Translead coming to Joliet. So I'm really proud that we had a part in this back in 1853.
We want to thank Governor Pritzker, and I want to say with Governor Pritzker at the helm, we've seen so much business. You know, of the 102 counties in Illinois, I think he zeroes in on Will County. We sure do appreciate it. We've just been continuing to grow, and it's great to have a business mind and leadership. It does make a difference in making deals. Jennifer Bertino, the Hyundai Translead team, and all of our community partners that join us here today. The governor listed them all. I won't have to go through all that again. So, thank you. We're proud to welcome Hyundai Translead to Joliet and to celebrate the work underway to bring this facility into operation. The investment represents a significant commitment to our community. At full operation, thousands of people will be working here. Once upon a time, this was the economic engine for the city of Joliet, 6,500 Caterpillar employees. And we now see the revitalization. We're so proud of that and grateful to have that here to support families, build careers, and contribute to our regional economy. Its impact will extend beyond these walls, reaching local business and communities throughout Will County. Joliet has a proud manufacturing history, and we're excited to see this facility become the next chapter. We're grateful to Hyundai Translead for choosing the sites here in Joliet. Thank you to Hyundai Translead for investing in Joliet and to our state and local partners for helping move this prospect forward. We look for a long and successful partnership. It's now my privilege and pleasure to introduce Dr. Klein Namuo, 10th president of the oldest junior college in the country. Dr. Klein.
Hi, Mom. I can't talk right now. Yes, I heard Governor Pritzker give me a shout-out. Yes, I did. I did. I will tell him you said hi. Governor Pritzker, my mom says hi. Appreciate you. Thank you so much. Well, good morning everyone, and it's a pleasure to be with you all today. Before my remarks, I'd like to acknowledge the members of the board of trustees of Joliet Junior College. Trustees, will you stand to be recognized, please?
Trustees, thank you for your service and your support of all the incredible things we do at JJC. At JJC, we began with this ambitious agenda, right? A controversial agenda 125 years ago to really rethink what higher education could be, what it could be. This opportunity, this idea that opportunity would be within reach for everyone. And that ambitious idea, of course, created the nation's very first community college. This idea that started a movement that then became a phenomenon, now more than a thousand institutions strong in communities large and small across the entire country, educating over 10 million students.
And all of that started right here, right here in Joliet, Illinois. And for us at JJC, honoring that legacy is extremely important. It means making decisions that prepare our region for generations to come, to be responsive, to be nimble, and to be good partners. And today we're taking another ambitious and big step forward thanks to those partners who believe in what our students and our region can achieve. And Governor Pritzker, the honorary wolf himself, and trustees, I must say a few years ago when we decided to honor the governor with that title, it's worked out for us. Governor, thanks for your leadership. Thanks for recognizing and investing in community colleges specifically, and recognizing that an investment in community colleges is really an investment in communities and an investment in the people of Illinois and our collective future.
We're thankful for your leadership and your support, both of which continue to create opportunities and at JJC alter the trajectory of lives. To Christy George, thank you for your partnership and your work to bring this investment and opportunity to Illinois. Today really demonstrates the power of connecting the state's economic development apparatus to strengthen the communities we all love. To Alli Grady, to Lisa Clemen Scott, to Director Kristen Richards, thank you for your work at DCEO to secure the state's investment in JJC's manufacturing training academy. Team JJC thanks you, and our community thanks you. To my friend Doug Prior, thank you for your leadership and your persistent efforts to bring Hyundai Translead to our region and for always recognizing JJC as a workforce partner.
And Doug's a proud JJC alum, by the way. To Sean and the Hyundai Translead team, welcome to this incredible community. Welcome. And Sean, my friend, welcome back. And JJC stands ready to meet the moment. We look forward to supporting your inevitable success here through the state of Illinois's extraordinary investment. Our manufacturing training academy will expand training in welding, in electrical, in industrial maintenance, all under the advanced manufacturing umbrella. That is what we do now.
Whenever JJC partners with organizations who provide us with the resources to meet our lofty mission, I often say this: we intend to honor your confidence. And Governor, we will honor that confidence through the students we serve and prepare, through the opportunities we create. And we'll carry that responsibility into every classroom, every laboratory, every instructional space, and every interaction we have. And that big idea, that ambitious idea for us has become a legacy at JJC and an ongoing promise that education can respond to the needs of our local community, continue to create opportunity for those students. And as a reminder to our community, JJC's doors remain wide open because we do not pick and choose our students. Our students pick and choose us. That was a revolutionary idea 125 years ago. It remains our priority today. And with the state of Illinois and our partners at Hyundai Translead, we are ready to deliver on that promise for generations to come. Thank you so much.
Clarify: you said this is the biggest job creation — what?
Single. It's the biggest single job creation announcement in decades.
In the state. So, you know, we've had companies, as you know, that have grown to bigger size than 3,750. But, you know, companies like — well, even Rivian is now at 8,000, right? But in terms of one single job announcement, right, this is because I've done a lot of these now as governor, and not just during my term, but we looked back for some number of years and we can't find — we don't want to brag too much because we just can't find one, to be honest with you, that's bigger in a single announcement going back as far as we can research. So I don't want to say it inaccurately and say in all history because I don't know that that's the case. I keep thinking of do we really know in 1900 and U.S. Steel, you know, I don't know. But I can tell you that at least in anybody's memory, and when you look it up online and try to research it, it looks like this is at least in the last several decades the largest.
