Agribusiness

Grow and Prosper

With what is arguably the world’s richest farmland here in Sangamon County, Illinois is the nation’s second leading exporter of corn, soybeans, feed grains and related products. The Springfield & Sangamon County area is surrounded by booming agricultural industry. In fact,

• Illinois ranks top in the US with $180 billion in processed food sales
• Illinois is home to more than 2,600 food manufacturing companies with over 130,000 employed
• The strong agribusiness ecosystem presents value-added ag and supply chain opportunities for the region
• Illinois is the 3rd largest crop producer
• Illinois 1st in the nation for soybean production
• Illinois is the 3rd in the nation for export of agricultural commodities
• Illinois is the 3rd in the number of people employed in the food processing industry

This strong agribusiness ecosystem presents value-added agriculture and supply chain opportunities for the region. In fact, many major food processing companies are settled in the Central Illinois region, including:

• Mel-O-Cream Donuts (Springfield)
• Prairie Farms (Springfield)
• Y-T Packing –Turasky Meats (Springfield)
• Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)
• Kraft
• Tate & Lyle
• Nestle  

Two major interstate highways, five Class I commercial railroads and a major trans-load facility within 30 miles provide unparalleled access to markets worldwide. An 8-hour drive can access more than 90 million people.

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