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McHenry County Joins Greater Chicagoland Delegation, Building International Business Relationships in Germany  

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

April 29, 2026 

MEDIA CONTACT  

Kristen Gesicki 

Marketing and Outreach Coordinator 

McHenry County Economic Development Corporation  

815-893-0895 | kgesicki@mcedc.com  

 

Alicia Schueller  

Deputy County Administrator  

McHenry County  

Aaschueller@mchenrycountyil.gov  

 

The McHenry County Economic Development Corporation and McHenry County Board participated in a nine-day trade mission to Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, Baden-Baden, and Hannover as part of the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership. 

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL – April 29, 2026 – Representatives from the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) and the McHenry County Board participated in a nine-day international trade mission to Germany from April 14-22, 2026, as part of the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP) delegation organized in coordination with World Business Chicago (WBC) and the German American Chamber of Commerce Midwest (GACC Midwest). 

The delegation’s reach was substantial, with 70 German businesses engaged, 73 individual contacts made, and 28 stakeholder interactions with government, academic, and industry partners across Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, Baden-Baden, and Hanover. This trip reinforces a shared mission: to strengthen bilateral relationships and position the Chicagoland region as a premier destination for foreign investment and expansion. 

Throughout the mission, engagements focused on innovation, advanced manufacturing, and workforce development, key areas of alignment between the German industries and the Chicagoland economy. The delegation toured Germany’s Rhine-Neckar innovation corridor, one of Europe’s most dynamic regions for life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and industrial technology. 

Beginning in Frankfurt, one of Europe’s leading financial and logistics centers, the delegation visited the House of Logistics and Mobility (HOLM) GmbH, discussing collaborative opportunities in technology and logistics innovation. Visits to leading institutions and innovation hubs, including the MAFINEX Technology Center of the Rhine-Neckar region and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Karlsruhe, included meetings with industry experts on AI-integrated production and automation. In Baden-Baden, a high-level international Board meeting, hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Germany (ArmCham Germany), brought together business and diplomatic leaders from both countries. After an introduction to the Business Development Center in Heidelberg, the group explored the city’s global innovation network, which supports technology transfer in German life sciences.  

The mission culminated at HANNOVER MESSE 2026, one of the world’s largest industrial trade fairs, where the delegation attended the Opening Ceremony, toured exhibition halls focused on automation, energy, and smart infrastructure, and participated in business-to-business meetings, engaging with companies from across the globe, many of which have existing or prospective ties to the Chicagoland market. 

MCEDC Executive Director Mark Piekos and McHenry County Board Member Michael Skala represented the county throughout the delegation, advancing the county’s position within the broader regional economic landscape. The mission provided an opportunity to introduce McHenry County directly to German companies and decision-makers who may not have previously considered Chicagoland as a landing point for U.S. investment. 

“The trip gave us direct access to German companies that are evaluating North American locations,” said Mark Piekos, Executive Director of the MCEDC. “These are businesses built on long-term investment, precision, and a deep commitment to quality. They’re looking for locations with reliable infrastructure, a workforce they can grow with, and a predictable regulatory environment. The Chicagoland region meets those needs, and in Germany, we were able to make that case directly.”  

I was honored to represent GCEP in the delegate trip to Germany,” said Michael Skala, McHenry County Board Member. “We visited many cities that prioritized new technology, cutting-edge innovation, and start-ups that can grow and prosper.  We started the long-term personal relationships with these universities, tech hubs, and owners of the start-ups so that when they are ready to expand to the United States, they feel like they have a partner in GCEP.” 

Illinois: A Strong Economic Relationship 

Germany is Illinois’s second largest foreign direct investment partner. German firms directly employ approximately 70,905 workers across the state, with over 200 companies in the Chicagoland region.

About the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation

The McHenry County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) is a public/private partnership dedicated to attracting, retaining, and expanding businesses in McHenry County to strengthen the region’s economic vitality. Through collaboration with industry, government, and community stakeholders, MCEDC connects businesses with resources, fosters strategic growth, and enhances partnerships and opportunities that support a thriving and sustainable local economy.

To learn more, visit: https://mchenrycountyedc.com/

About the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership 

The Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP) is a first-of-its-kind regional alliance launched in 2023 to unite the City of Chicago with seven surrounding counties — Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will. Together, the partnership promotes inclusive growth, attracts investment, and strengthens Chicagoland’s position as a leading global metro.

To learn more, visit: https://worldbusinesschicago.com/GCEP/

 

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