Corporate Investments Lead US Markets Again

Corporate investments in Chicago and Texas continue to lead the US, according to Site Selection’s latest corporate real estate rankings.

March 5, 2026

Jordan B.

Chicago secured the top metropolitan spot for corporate real estate investments for the 13th consecutive year.
Texas held the Governor’s Cup as the leading state for the 14th straight year, with over 1,400 projects.
Qualifying projects require at least $1M invested, 20 new jobs, or a 20 KSF expansion.
Total Texas capital investment surpassed $75B, generating more than 42,000 new jobs in 2025.

Key Takeaways

Chicago Maintains Top Spot

CoStar reports that the Chicago area led all US metros in corporate investment activity during 2025. The region recorded 606 real estate relocation or expansion projects during the year. Site Selection magazine confirmed that Chicago ranked first for the 13th consecutive year. This performance continued despite several recent high-profile corporate departures.

Major contributors included Amazon, which added 1,200 new jobs in Will County, and Fortune Brands, consolidating 400 positions in Lake County. The largest project was the planned Universal Horror Unleashed tourist attraction, bringing 400 new jobs to River West.

Texas Sustains Statewide Momentum

Texas retained its Governor’s Cup title for the 14th year, achieving 1,406 qualifying corporate real estate projects—significantly outpacing Illinois and Ohio. Key cities driving investment included Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Austin.

Notable projects in Texas ranged from Eli Lilly’s $6.5B manufacturing hub in Houston to Google’s planned $40B investment in new data center campuses. Other tech and manufacturing giants, like Samsung and Tesla, contributed major expansions in the state.

Why Corporate Investments Matter

Site Selection’s ranking shows how corporate real estate investments shape regional and statewide economic growth. Projects must include at least $1M in investment, 20 new jobs, or a 20 KSF expansion. These developments support job creation and infrastructure improvements. At the same time, growing legal scrutiny around rent-setting technology highlights how market dynamics can influence real estate operations and investment strategies.

Chicago and Texas continue to dominate corporate real estate investment rankings across the United States. Their success highlights the strength of established logistics networks, skilled labor pools, and business-friendly policies.