Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined Motorola Mobility leadership today at the public unveiling of the company’s global headquarters in downtown Chicago. Motorola Mobility announced its relocation from Libertyville, Illinois to Chicago’s historic Merchandise Mart in July 2012. Motorola Mobility is one of 27 headquarters that has relocated to Chicago during Mayor Emanuel’s tenure, and it will bring 2,000 jobs to the city.
“The city is thrilled to welcome Motorola Mobility back to downtown Chicago,” said Mayor Emanuel. “As a global leader of the rapidly growing technology industry, Motorola Mobility will now have access our exceptional workforce, transportation system and business climate. Motorola Mobility will act as a major economic engine, bringing 2,000 jobs to the city.”
"Today is a special homecoming for Motorola,” said Rick Osterloh, President, Motorola Mobility, LLC. “We got our start in Chicago 86 years ago, and we're excited to bring a resurgent Motorola back to a city that has become a true global center of talent and technology."
Motorola Mobility was founded in Chicago over 80 years ago and returns to the city after 38 years in Libertyville. The company is now the Merchandise Mart’s largest tenant and occupies more than 600,000 square feet on the top four floors and the rooftop. The building and the Motorola Offices are LEED Gold certified.
Chicago’s tech sector has recently grown to a total of 40,000 jobs, adding 10,000 jobs since Mayor Emanuel took office in 2011. In 2012, a new start-up was launched in Chicago every day, which was more than triple what it was just two years prior. As no other industry has grown so rapidly, Mayor Emanuel has called for the creation of 40,000 new jobs in technology over the next decade to double the size of Chicago’s economy.
The Motorola Mobility Foundation, the company’s philanthropic arm, has also awarded a generous $150,000 grant to the Chicago Public Library Foundation, which will fund CPL’s Maker Lab through June 2015. As the first free public maker space in Chicago, the Maker Lab at Harold Washington Library Center offers patrons an introduction to the latest technology and equipment that are enabling new forms of personal manufacturing and business opportunities. In November 2013, the Chicago Innovation Awards recognized CPL’s Maker Lab as an innovative new service product brought to public service.
“I want to thank Motorola Mobility and its Foundation for recognizing the work we are doing at Chicago Public Library to expand the public’s access to 21st century ideas and information,” said Library Commissioner Brian Bannon. “Our Maker Lab has already served more than 42,000 visitors in just 10 months, and this gift from the Motorola Mobility Foundation and our Foundation will allow us to offer thousands more patrons hands-on experience with the latest in 3D software and advance manufacturing technology.”
Attracting corporate headquarters to Chicago is a central focus of the Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs, produced by World Business Chicago.
About Motorola Mobility
Motorola Mobility, owned by Google, creates smartphones, tablets and wireless accessories that simplify, connect and enrich people's lives. For more information, visit motorola.com.
About Motorola Mobility Foundation
The Motorola Mobility Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Motorola Mobility LLC. We support innovative non-profits and collaborate with learning institutions, startups, government, corporate and civic organizations to improve lives and communities through technology.
