Mark Szakonyi, Associate Editor | May 15, 2012 9:50AM EDT
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Monday said the city plans to open a $200 million hub next year, as the city attempts to boost international volume through O’Hare International Airport.
The Chicago O’Hare International Northeast Cargo Center is expected to create roughly 1,200 construction jobs, 1,200 permanent on-site jobs and 10,000 regional jobs related to the development, the mayor's office said. Aeroterm, the developer, will spend about $130 million on the 820,000-square foot project, with the airport kicking in more than $62 million, according to the Chicago Tribune.
“The extensive progress we’ve been able to make on the O’Hare Modernization Program has paved the way for this project to commence, with new, larger runways and taxiways that allow the airport to handle the larger, newest generation of B747-8 cargo planes, “ said Rosemarie Andolino, Chicago Department of Aviation commissioner. “Because of our successful efforts, Chicago and O’Hare are able to better serve existing cargo carriers and attract new cargo service, which will boost Chicago’s position as an international air freight hub.”
Chicago is a major gateway for air cargo exports to China, with the city representing more a quarter of the market, according to the mayor’s office. The city knocked Los Angeles International Airport as the top gateway for air cargo imports from China in 2010.
Contact Mark Szakonyi at mszakonyi@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @szakonyi_joc.