Chicagoans have good reason to bask in the sunlight of economic growth as Nexamp, a giant in the community solar realm, announces its second national headquarters establishing roots in the City. Governor JB Pritzker alongside local leaders welcomed the company's decision, which is set to create 50 new jobs and foster a green energy future for Illinois. In a statement obtained by an official state news release, Pritzker expressed enthusiastic support for the firm's expansion, underscoring Nexamp's alignment with Illinois's commitment to sustainable energy and job creation.
Nexamp's move comes after Illinois enacted the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) which has been a magnet to rapidly attract, and retain, innovative companies like Nexamp. The company's CEO, Zaid Ashai, pointed to the state's burgeoning solar market and matching visions for a cleaner energy future as key factors in choosing Chicago for their new headquarters. Ashai, in words relayed by the official state news release, said, "Illinois is our fastest growing market," and further shared Nexamp's alignment with the state's objectives for a diverse and skilled clean energy workforce.
Touted as a national leader in climate action, Illinois has enticed Nexamp, which already has 75 projects in operation or development in the state. The solar giant plans to create nearly 4,000 jobs and generate about 300 megawatts of energy, enough to supply around 50,000 average homes. The expansion is not merely a nod to the state's eco-friendly legislation but a strategic move anticipated to have extensive social and economic impacts.
Further bolstering this partnership, Nexamp is set to collaborate with local educational institutions. It aims to develop a fellowship program with the City Colleges of Chicago, ready to cultivate a robust employment pipeline for students eager to join the solar industry. Coupled with its initiative to reserve new construction management roles for Equity Eligible Persons from the greater Chicago area, Nexamp is also working to exceed the state's Minimum Equity Standard, thus cementing its commitment to inclusive growth and community betterment.
These efforts underscore the symbiotic relationship between governmental foresight in policy-making and the realistic delivery of promises by private entities like Nexamp. Such collaborations herald a greener, more sustainable Illinois, equipped to lead by example in the national quest for 100% clean energy. As Illinois DCEO Director Kristin Richards stated in the state news release, "The State of Illinois shares a vision of a clean energy future with Nexamp, and together we will continue to build the jobs of the future in the clean energy ecosystem."
