Chicago Welcomes MillerCoors

[John Patterson]

From World Business Chicago
Mayor Richard M. Daley welcomed MillerCoors, the second largest beer company in the United States, to Chicago when the company officially opened its new corporate headquarters at 250 S. Wacker Dr. last week. The move brings 325 new jobs to the city.

“The decision of MillerCoors to locate its headquarters here strengthens our reputation as an important global center from which to conduct business and confirms that Chicago is seen as a desirable place to live, work and raise a family,” Daley said at a news conference held at the company’s offices.

“Especially in these difficult economic times, this kind of an opening sends an important message to all Chicago residents that our city is a vital place and that we are working hard to take the steps necessary to keep our economy moving,” he said.

MillerCoors was created in June, 2008, when SABMiller plc (headquartered in London) and Molson Coors Brewing Company (headquartered in Denver, Colorado) combined the U.S. and Puerto Rico operations of their respective subsidiaries, Miller and Coors, in a joint venture.

In July, 2008, the company announced it had selected Chicago as the site of the new corporation’s headquarters.

The company signed a 15-year lease agreement for nearly 130,000 square feet of office space at 250 S. Wacker Drive and is the largest tenant in the building.

The headquarters will include the majority of MillerCoors’ senior executives, as well as Marketing, Human Resources, Legal, Finance, Information Technology and Communications divisions. MillerCoors’ total project costs are currently estimated to be nearly $22 million and include substantial tenant build-out, as well as improvements to the river walk just west of the building.

The company has applied for silver certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System of the U.S. Green Building Council.

MillerCoors decided to locate in Chicago because of the City’s access to transportation, attractive talent pool, diverse population, cultural richness, and broad selection of affordable communities for relocating employees to choose from, among other things.

“World Business Chicago worked closely with the City, State and corporate community in order to showcase to MillerCoors that Chicago is the best city for their business,” said Rita Athas, Executive Director of World Business Chicago. “We are thrilled that MillerCoors chose to call Chicago home and look forward to the company becoming an engaged member of our corporate community.”

“We believe that Chicago is the ideal place to run a business, because our city offers tremendous economic strength and resources combined with an enhanced quality of life,” Daley said.

“We are in a recession now, but we know that won’t always be the case, and our goal is to position Chicago to reap the benefits of the better times to come. We are very happy that MillerCoors will be part of Chicago’s bright future,” he said.