Chicago Construction News staff writer
A total of $1.7 million in grant funding will go to 40 small and mid-sized manufacturers across the state through the Made in Illinois Grant Program.
The program provides up to $50,000 in matching grant funding for innovation and strategic advancements in manufacturing. The Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) administers the program.
The program originally allocated $1 million and was increased to $1.7 million due to resounding interest in the program from Illinois’ small and mid-sized manufacturers. By providing financial support to local manufacturers, the program encourages innovation and advancement within the industry while contributing to job creation and economic prosperity throughout Illinois communities.
“The Made in Illinois Grant Program is just one example of the dedication to supporting Illinois manufacturers in their pursuit of excellence,”said David Boulay, Ph.D., President of IMEC. “By investing in innovation and strategic initiatives, these businesses are empowered to thrive and drive economic growth across the state.”
| Grantee | Location | Grant Amount |
| 555 International, Inc. | Chicago | $47,420 |
| AFC Packaging LLC (Policarta Packaging) | Lake in The Hills | $47,420 |
| Aurora Specialty Textiles Group, Inc. | Yorkville | $47,420 |
| Axis Designs, Inc. | Aurora | $47,420 |
| Boombox Beverage LLC | Skokie | $47,420 |
| BTM Industries | Woodstock | $47,420 |
| Cardinal Plating Solutions | Aledo | $47,420 |
| Carl Buddig and Company | South Holland | $39,073 |
| Carolina Brands (Rutland) | Jacksonville | $46,652 |
| Chicago Metal Supply & Fabrication Inc. | Chicago | $47,420 |
| Clifford-Jacobs Forging Company | Champaign | $33,510 |
| Curtis Thermal Processing | Machesney Park | $47,420 |
| Designcraft, Inc. | Lake Zurich | $47,420 |
| Double S Liquid Feed Services, Inc. | Danville | $35,565 |
| Elkay Plastics Co., Inc. | Schaumburg | $47,420 |
| Ergoseal | Carol Stream | $47,420 |
| Forster Tool & Manufacturing | Bensenville | $47,420 |
| Gallagher Asphalt Corporation | Thornton | $47,420 |
| Gallagher Corporation | Gurnee | $7,903 |
| Intertape Polymer Group | Carbondale | $47,420 |
| JT Fennell Co., Inc. | Chillicothe | $47,420 |
| KrisDee & Associates | South Elgin | $47,420 |
| La Criolla, Inc. | Alsip | $47,420 |
| Livingston Pipe and Tube | Staunton | $47,420 |
| MicroWeld | Peoria | $47,420 |
| Midwest Printed Circuit Services, Inc. | Round Lake Beach | $47,420 |
| Moline Welding Inc. | Milan | $47,420 |
| MTM Recognition | Princeton | $43,942 |
| Muenchau Metal Works, LLC | Mascoutah | $47,420 |
| Old Irving Brewing Co (Tripp Brewery, LLC) | Chicago | $47,420 |
| RetMap, Inc. | Chicago | $27,504 |
| Ro-Pal Grinding Inc. | Rockford | $47,420 |
| Scot Forge Co. | Spring Grove | $47,420 |
| Signarama Grayslake | Grayslake | $16,597 |
| Square 1 Precision Lighting Inc. | Stone Park | $14,226 |
| Tri-City Heat Treat Company | Rock Island | $47,420 |
| Triangle Package Machinery Company | Chicago | $47,420 |
| Wagner Machine Company | Champaign | $47,420 |
| Watershed Foods, LLC | Gridley | $47,420 |
| Whitey’s Ice Cream | Moline | $47,420 |
“Manufacturing is evolving rapidly, and staying current can be costly. Over the past five years, there’s been significant investment in new equipment. Automating processes has been a critical strategic move and seeking assistance has proved highly advantageous during this transition period,” said Kurt Wagner, CEO of Wagner Machine in Champaign. “Automation has enabled the workforce to focus on higher-value tasks, enhancing efficiency, and quality improvements. This has led to continued job creation and an increase in machinist wages.”
“The Made in Illinois Grant is great program to drive local investment,” said Dan Foelske, VP Operations & Controller at Axis Designs in Aurora. “Axis Designs is currently on a steep growth trajectory. This award will help us add the automation and create the new jobs we need to support the ramp-up in demand.”
Grant recipients are utilizing the funds in a variety of uses to directly advance innovation and growth in their fields. This includes machinery acquisition, including state-of-the-art 3D printers, specialized automation equipment, and collaborative robotics. Late-stage product testing and scaling efforts is also a key focus for grantees, which is essential for successful product deployment.
