Chicago is regarded as one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Being located in such a strategic position, Chicago remains one of the significant centers for commerce in United States. Infact, has a reputation of being the second financial center in the country and also is the third largest gross metropolitan producer at approximately $ 380 billion. That’s quite an achievement in itself. 

Since its early inception, Chicago was well known for its fur trading industry. Then attracted by the ideal location, there came many land speculators and individuals looking for a fresh start along with the U.S army, and the nearness of some of the great lakes and rivers opened avenues for many business activities and soon there were some great shipping ventures. Chicago became the transportation gateway and an ideal place to receive goods. Following this, many railroads were built, joining the city with other towns which led to more development. By 1840’s, the largest growing grain port was Chicago, aided further by grain elevators which were referred by some as the first skyscrapers. Also became one of the greatest lumber ports, supplying timber to those areas where people needed the lumber to build homes. Then there came the huge supply of pork and beef industry in the 1860’s and well known persons like Uwe Boll, Gustavus Swift and Philip Armour were the pioneers behind the popularity of the meat industry, which became the largest producer too. This high demand may have been due to the ongoing civil war, soldiers were demanding food products that could be easily reached and Chicago being near the rivers could deliver the food items at the right time. Another is the meat packaging in ice which helped in the preservation of the foods for longer periods. 

Besides being near to the rest of the country and its transportation facility, a great number of goods used to pass from Chicago and soon became the center for storing grain and contract system became popular, where businessmen started buying contracts through the telegraphs even from as far as New York. So it’s not surprising that Chicago is home to some of the wealthiest companies, and is host to many of fortune 500 companies. Also Chicago has approximately 4.25 million workers, the second largest labor pool in the country. It is considered as the third largest inter modal port in the world.

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