Business & Tech

Business Award Recipients Recognized for Contributions to Local Economy

Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation presents Cornerstone Awards at annual luncheon.


Two healthcare organizations and a Danish manufacturer received Cornerstone Awards for projects that contributed to Downers Grove’s economic growth and facility design.

The awards were presented at the Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation’s annual luncheon on June 26. More than 150 businesses and community leaders attended the event held at DoubleTree Suites Hotel that featured keynote remarks by Dan Seals, the assistant director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

This was the second year that the economic development corporation presented the Cornerstone Awards. Mayor Martin Tully praised the recipients for their contributions to the local economy.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

“A robust economic development program is critical to a community’s success in growing its tax base,” Tully said.  “It is also a component of Downers Grove’s stellar financial rating, which ultimately results in cost savings to our residents.”

The first Cornerstone Award was presented to Advocate Health Care.  Advocate, which is the largest private sector employer in the Chicago region, moved their corporate headquarters to Highland Landmark in Downers Grove.  

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Advocate is one of the economic engines of the community, with 600 employees at the new headquarters, as well as 2,700 employees at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital.  Kelly Jo Golson, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, accepted the award on behalf of Advocate Health Care.

The second award was presented to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE).  The society built a new $20 million, 42,000-square-foot headquarters and training facility at Esplanade at Locust Point. 

ASGE held a very impressive grand opening, showing off their new state-of-the-art Institute for training and technology, which features a 100-seat conference center and laboratory facilities. Patricia Blake, chief executive officer, accepted the award on behalf of ASGE.

The final award was presented to Grundfos.  The Danish company is the largest manufacturer of water pumps in the world, with annual sales of more than $4 billion.

Grundfos opened their new North American headquarters at 2001 Butterfield Road in Downers Grove. Governor Pat Quinn attended the “wall breaking ceremony,” and praised the project in his 2014 State of the State Address. Thomas Brun Larsen, director of human resources, accepted the award on behalf of Grundfos.


Photos by Miles Boone/Miles Photography.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here