True Value announced it will relocate its headquarters from Chicago to Fort Wayne, Indiana, ending a 78-year presence in the city after its acquisition by Indiana-based Do it Best Group, as reported by Red State.

The companies said the move will consolidate their operations under a single headquarters in Fort Wayne.

The relocation follows Do it Best Group's acquisition of True Value and is intended to bring the organizations together at one location.

The announcement has prompted discussion among Illinois officials about the state's business climate and the factors that influence corporate relocation decisions.

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Illinois state Sen. Chris Balkema, R-Channahon, said the move reflects broader concerns he hears from businesses operating throughout the state.

"I’m happy that that is occurring, but I also understand it," Balkema said.

"As I tour businesses throughout the district and the state, the top two things that businesses fear about Illinois and need help in is rules and regulations is absolutely the number one."

Balkema argued that businesses continue to raise concerns about Illinois' regulatory environment and tax policies when considering where to invest and expand.

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He also cited the state's energy policies, including the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), as an issue affecting business planning. The law establishes a goal for Illinois to transition to carbon-free electricity by 2045.

"The CEJA Act that requires all gas and coal-fired power plants to be shut down 19 short years from now, which means people start scaling back sooner and not doing overhauls, is absolutely having a dramatic effect," Balkema said.

True Value has maintained its headquarters in Chicago for nearly eight decades. Under the new ownership structure, the company said its operations will be combined with those of Do it Best Group in Fort Wayne.

Corporate headquarters relocations following acquisitions are common as companies seek to consolidate management, administrative functions, and operations.

In this case, the acquiring company is already based in Indiana, making Fort Wayne the location for the combined headquarters.

The relocation also means some employees associated with the Chicago headquarters may face decisions about whether to relocate to Indiana or pursue other opportunities.

The companies have not publicly detailed how many positions will move or how the transition will affect individual employees.

The move comes as several states continue competing to attract businesses through tax policies, regulatory approaches, workforce availability, and operating costs.

Corporate relocations often involve multiple factors, including mergers, acquisitions, logistics, labor markets, and long-term operating expenses.

Indiana has promoted itself as a destination for business investment, while Illinois has faced ongoing debate over taxes, regulations, and economic competitiveness.

State officials and lawmakers have frequently offered differing views about how those policies affect employers and economic growth.

True Value operates through a nationwide network of independently owned hardware stores. For decades, the company has served retailers across the United States while maintaining its corporate headquarters in Chicago.

The transition to Fort Wayne marks a significant organizational change following the acquisition and brings the company's headquarters to the same state as its new parent organization.

Company officials have indicated the relocation is part of integrating the two businesses under a unified headquarters.

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