Belle Aire Creations Celebrates Expansion

We were proud to join Belle Aire Creations and local officials in celebrating the ground breaking for “Porter East,” a 27,400-sq. ft. facility in Round Lake Park that is the company’s third expansion and investment in Lake County in recent years. This new space adds jobs, enriches the landscape, and demonstrates Belle Aire’s long-term commitment to Lake County.

Located directly across the street from Belle Aire Creations’ existing operations and manufacturing facility, and nearby the company’s corporate HQ and Creative Center of Excellence in Libertyville, Porter East will serve as a dedicated material storage warehouse with advanced inbound and outbound logistics, quality control testing labs, and modern employee collaboration spaces.

 Fortune Brands Innovations Opens HQ, Meets Hiring Goal Two Years Ahead of Schedule

Lake County's Winning Streak Is Not By Chance

Lake County, Illinois, is leading one of the most dynamic economic transformations in Chicagoland. With over $1.7 BILLION in new investment and thousands of jobs created or retained over the last 5 years, the region is proving its strength across life sciences, manufacturing, housing, innovation and more.

Drawing on recent insights from Dr. Joe Schwieterman at DePaul University and Chris Brewer at AECOM, presented to our municipal partners, we're exploring how Lake County is balancing growth, resilience, and reinvention in a changing economy.

Art Means Business in Lake County

When it comes to attracting top talent, enhancing quality of life, and boosting regional growth, arts and culture are not just a “nice to have” - they’re strategic assets. This is why the new ArtsLink North initiative, championed by Visit Lake County, is so important. It connects the dots between the arts and economic growth, uniting Lake County’s cultural organizations, amplifying visibility, and creating a one-stop calendar for local events. As a result, it's now easier than ever for people in Lake County to enjoy the high quality of life for which the community is known.

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Meet a Partner

Steve DeBretto
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Lake County Partners

What brought you to Lake County and made you want to work for LCP?

Our growing family was looking for a community with great schools, parks, and amenities that was close to Metra lines and we found it all in Vernon Hills. I’ve been in economic development most of my career and LCP gave me a chance to learn new areas and work county-wide.

As LCP's new Director of Strategic Initiatives, what will be your primary focus?

I'm focused on making sure that the priorities identified in our Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy move forward: closing the housing gap for local workers, strengthening the talent pipeline between schools and businesses, and improving transportation options in the region. There are really smart, motivated people working on each of these issues already, and my job is to help connect them across the public and private sectors to achieve those goals.

How does your background shape your approach to this job?

Community organizing taught me how to listen to people and help develop leaders that could win results. My years working with incubators, and the entrepreneurs building businesses in them, showed me every day how successful business owners spotted opportunities, confronted challenges, and supported each other. I also learned how public policy could help or hinder economic development. 

What are Lake County's biggest opportunities?

Anyone familiar with the county knows we have the people, natural amenities, business, and cultural resources that make a place great. It’s why we moved here. If we develop in ways that keep housing attainable, give people real choices on how they move around the area, and make sure our growth is climate-sustainable, we can be a model for other areas at the same time we’re a location people want to stay in or move to.

As someone who grew up in Chicagoland, what do you think sets this region apart?

There aren’t a whole lot of places that – if you go a few miles in either direction – can feel like a small town, a Fortune 500 hub, a sailing destination, or whatever else you’re looking for. We moved here in 2021 and I still discover new things I like about Lake County all the time.

Get Involved!

Our work would not be possible without the leadership of our Board of Governors & the support of our investors.