Made in Illinois Grant Available for Manufacturers

The Made in Illinois program provides up to $50,000 in matching grant funding to small- and mid-sized Illinois manufacturers to support innovation and strategic advancements in manufacturing.

The March 2024 edition of Site Selection magazine features Gotion’s investment in Kankakee County.

The Be in Illinois. campaign shines a spotlight on sectors where Illinois has a competitive advantage, including agribusiness, life sciences, manufacturing, tech, transportation and logistics – as well its rapidly emerging electric vehicle (EV) sector. Illinois already boasts the fifth largest economy in the United States, 18th in the world, and is home to more Fortune 500 companies (38) than all but three states.

Nominations are now open for the third annual Makers Madness: The Coolest Thing Made In Illinois, presented by Comcast Business.

Global food and agribusiness PE leader Paine Schwartz Partners invests in our plant-based specialty dough manufacturer Urban Farmer Foods through new “Food Chain Fund V” platform.

Now more than ever, community partners are an integral part of Kankakee County’s resiliance and growth. n 2020, United Way of Kankakee & Iroquois Counties – with our Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley – generated and distributed more than $600,000 for emergency Covid-19 relief. While this work continues, our United Way is mission driven to serve our residential and business community each and every day by investing in the strategic areas of: youth success; economic mobility; and access to health services.

Kankakee native and Spikeball CEO Chris Ruder has established a 51,000 SF Midwest distribution hub in the Kankakee Riverfront Opportunity Zone. The facility will fulfill orders from retailers including Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target, Costco and Walmart.

A vacant 576,000-square-foot warehouse in Manteno has found a new occupant and the company is seeking 600 workers. It appears the location, 1125 Sycamore Road, will house the packaging and distribution of supplies connected to COVID-19 pandemic. McKesson Corp., an Irving, Texas-based company, has signed a lease with property owner Cardinal Real Estate of Sherman Oaks, Calif. McKesson is advertising for 600 warehouse workers — specifically material handlers and machine operators — with pay at $17.45 per hour, including benefits. To support the U.S. government’s Operation Warp Speed (OWS), the company, through its centralized distribution network, will be involved with the movement of COVID-19 vaccines and ancillary supplies needed to administer vaccines.

As solar developments emerge across Kankakee County and the state, small businesses and residents now have the opportunity to contract with approved vendors of the Illinois Shines program to offset their electric costs and support the State of Illinois’ ambitious renewable energy goals. With a Community Solar subscription, qualified users are able to participate in renewable energy generation and energy cost savings, even if they are unable to have an on‐site system at their home or business.

Kankakee Community College has added a free interactive tool to its website that helps students and prospective students find careers that match their interests. The software, called Emsi Career Coach, tailors career options for users based on questions about themselves. The personalized results include career titles, labor market data and academic programs that could lead to those demand occupations. The software can also be used to build resumes and connect to job openings locally and regionally. Career Coach is free and is available for anyone to use.