DuPage County Chosen to Receive Federal Funds as a Manufacturing Community

Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership

DuPage County is part of a regional effort named as one of 12 “manufacturing communities” in the nation by the U.S. Commerce Department. The U.S. Commerce Department’s Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership initiative is part of the federal effort to support job creation and accelerate manufacturing growth. Through the partnership, DuPage County has the ability to access $1.3 billion in federal grants. It also can access support from federal agencies on long-term economic development strategies that will not only attract and expand private investment in the manufacturing sector, but also increase international trade and exports. Working with its partners at DuPage County and the DuPage County Workforce Board, Choose DuPage is a part of the Chicago Metro Metal Consortium Manufacturing Community. DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin said the regional collaboration began in 2013 during the Northeastern Illinois Counties Summit.
“We worked very closely with the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development and all of our partners in northeastern Illinois to achieve this important designation. This represents a great opportunity to work together as a region to build on our strength as one of the nation’s centers for metals manufacturing,” he said.
A total of 70 communities applied for the grant through the Manufacturing Communities Partnership initiative. Only 12 communities were selected by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The criteria for selection included the region’s economic development strengths and opportunities, plans and strategies, ability to carry out these plans and the impact they would have on local communities in addition to job creation. DuPage County’s strong manufacturing presence along with its commitment to strengthen the manufacturing sector within the region, as identified by its various partnerships and collaborations, helped enhance the selection evaluation.