Chicago is fifth in high growth companies Data reveals broad-based economy with growth occurring in traditional industries

The next time you think high growth means high tech, think again.

A study by the National Commission on Entrepreneurship,Washington, placed Chicago No. 5 among the 13 largest U.S. labormarket areas, as measured by the number of high growth companies.

Because the most recent data was based on 1997 figures, the reportdoesn't reflect the boom in new economy hiring or the meltdown thatoccurred in March 2000. But the data does reveal a broad-basedeconomy with growth occurring in traditional industries.

"This suggests that despite what you read, this region will lookpretty good when we look back," said Mollie Cole, managing directorof the Small and Emerging Business …