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Made in Illinois Grant Program

Celebrating Innovation, Growth & Resilience in Illinois Manufacturing

The 2025 Made in Illinois Grant recipients represent the best of what Illinois manufacturers have to offer: innovation, commitment to improvement, and a drive to grow in an ever-evolving industry.

Through this competitive grant program, small and mid-sized manufacturers across the state received funding to enhance productivity, adopt advanced technologies, strengthen their workforce, and grow their operations.

These awards are more than just dollars, they’re a reflection of the vision and impact of manufacturers who are transforming their businesses and communities. From implementing automation and expanding digital capabilities to streamlining operations and investing in employee development, each recipient is taking strategic steps toward a more competitive future.

Meet the Manufacturers

Explore the gallery below to see how this year’s grant recipients are putting their funding to work—and powering progress Made in Illinois.

J6 Polymers LLC

Being selected was huge for J6.  We are a family owned company and our goal is to be the preferred supplier in the industry but we are an underdog, often overlooked. The Made in Illinois grant for J6 will go a long way in supporting our growth by increasing capacity and efficiency for years to come.

GEO. J. Rothan Co.

George J. Rothan has been in the millwork business since 1873 and are very proud of the work our skilled team members produce. Our new CNC machine allows us to expand our capabilities, improve efficiencies, and reduce lead times. We are in a very competitive industry, and we feel well positioned for our future.

Lemfco, Inc.

This award allows us to perform testing of our materials on site rather than sending to an outside vendor. This has resulted in a reduction in lead time to our customers and reduce our cost. In addition, we will be able to grow our market through an ability to work with a wider variety of alloys.

Mothers’ Milk Bank WGL

As the only milk bank in Illinois, we are thrilled to receive support from the Made in Illinois grant. With this grant we purchased an automated assembly line to fill, cap, and label bottles of donor milk. This machine makes Milk Bank WGL the first fully automated donor milk bottling line in the US.

Meyer Tool & Mfg.

5 axis machine at Meyer Tool

We are deeply honored to receive the Made in Illinois Grant, which empowers Meyer Tool to invest in cutting-edge technology, workforce development, and innovation, supporting our team, our customers, and the growth of advanced manufacturing right here in Illinois.

Tri C Company

Investing in new equipment was an easy decision for us. The new machines are faster, more efficient, and more accurate, which has helped us reach new customers and expand our capabilities. We’re proud to keep moving forward and to offer opportunities for the next generation of our family business.

Atomic Industrial Machine, Inc.

Atomic Industrial Machine

We used the Made in Illinois Grant to support key investments in modernizing our shop floor – including the acquisition of a Mazak Integrex 300-IV and upgraded tooling. These enhancements have allowed us to take on more complex work, improve efficiency, and make Atomic a more attractive workplace for skilled machinists. The grant is helping us strengthen our capabilities while investing in the long-term success of our team and customers.

Maplewood Brewery & Distillery

Maplewood Brewery

These funds helped to offset the costs of a new brewhouse, and the related installation costs. This has helped to improve the overall efficiencies of our production of the facility. Specifically it is more automated, yields more product, and more consistent to use.

Tec Coffee & Foods, Inc.

The Made in Illinois Grant helped TEC purchase a state-of-the-art high-capacity Fluidized Paddle Blender, significantly enhancing productivity, allergen management, and product quality. This milestone marks a new chapter in TEC’s legacy of excellence and innovation.

Mid-State Tank Co. Inc.

This award helped us construct a new building to streamline our parts operation, as well as invest in new multi-functional welders, which improves our operational efficiency to better meet the needs of our customers and continue the growth of the Company.

CCK Automations

The Made in Illinois grant has helped CCK Automations invest more in our high speed SMT printed circuit board manufacturing processes, allowing us to improve quality, increase throughput, and to expand our business with major customer.

Slidematic Products Co.

The purchase of the Mitsubishi MV2400R EDM is the fundamental element for the growth of tool and die in manufacturing.

Bridgewater Studio Inc.

We won the grant to accelerate development of our ERP system, the critical nerve center for our business. The ERP ties time tracking, purchasing, scheduling, and finance into one platform that everyone in the company can use. Bottom line, the grant lets us operate more efficiently, take on more work with the same headcount, and grow faster. That translates into more high-quality jobs in the Chicago area as we scale, we’ve recently added 4 full time jobs in the past month!

OceanComm, Inc

We used the Made in Illinois grant to invest in precision machining equipment and automation tools that scale production of our undersea connectivity products. These upgrades expanded our capacity, shortened lead times, and improved consistency—helping us deliver more units, faster, with higher reliability. The support also sustained and upskilled our Illinois manufacturing team and strengthened our local supply chain, positioning OceanComm for durable growth in Illinois.

Apparel Redefined

The Made In Illinois grant enabled us to expand our manufacturing footprint and invest in necessary software to better serve our internal and external customers; our employees now have the capability of digitally knowing client job status and team/individual performance and our external customers now have a portal they can access to see the progress of all of their orders.  Without this enhanced capability, we would not be able to support or sustain our current and future growth.

ELC Industries Corp

As a small business we really appreciate the great work your organizations do, they allow us to compete with companies much larger than ourselves, as well as let us provide long-term high-quality jobs for more of the local workforce. So thank you again for the grant, it will really help us continue with our mission of expanding Illinois’s manufacturer base.

Calumet Brass Foundry

This grant means the world to us!  It has giving us an opportunity to modernize, grow and to continue doing the work we’re proud of, for many more years to come!

Grind Lap Services, Inc.

We are very grateful to the wonderful team at IMEC, the DCEO, and the State of Illinois for awarding us the Made In Illinois grant. As a small, self-funded manufacturing company, this support is truly a game-changer.

Gasket & Seal AP

The Made in Illinois grant helped us invest in two new pieces of equipment that significantly advances our manufacturing capabilities in the industry. The equipment has made it easier to train next-gen operators, improve tolerances, and win high-quality work—especially in aerospace and other industries where quality really matters. We’re always looking for ways to improve, and IMECs support has helped us achieve a new level.

Zarc International, Inc.

The Made in Illinois grant provided meaningful support for improvements at our organization. The guidance and responsiveness throughout the process made a tremendous difference, and the impact has already opened new opportunities for our team. We’re grateful to have partners so committed to supporting Illinois manufacturers.

Elite RF LLC

The Made in Illinois grant has been transformative for Elite RF. It enabled us to invest in advanced equipment that elevates our precision, strengthens our scalability, and enhances the quality of every amplifier or system we deliver. These upgrades not only streamline training for our next generation of technicians but also allow us to achieve tighter tolerances and take on more complex, mission-critical projects; especially in defense, aerospace, and medical sectors where reliability is everything. We’re committed to pushing the boundaries of American manufacturing, and the support of IMEC has empowered us to reach a new level of innovation and capability.

MDi-co

The “Made in Illinois” program has significantly supported our quality program development and infrastructure, which will allow us to maintain a competitive edge in an evolving industry with increasingly complex parts and small tolerances. Thank you to IMEC and the Illinois DCEO for this award!

Zigler’s Machine & Metal Works

It is so wonderful to finally receive recognition for all the hard work our Team has put into making this Company such a success. We appreciate the people at IMEC for reading our story and awarding us with this money. It has always been my goal to keep Zigler’s Machine current with new machine technology. This money will help with keeping that goal in place.

Kelco Industries Inc

This recognition means a great deal to us and reflects the dedication and skill of the entire Kelco team. Their hard work allows us to continue supporting our customers with high-quality, innovative manufacturing solutions.

Application Window Has Closed.

Thank you again for your interest in the Made in Illinois Grant Program. Please note that the 2025 application window has closed, and all awards have been communicated.

For a list of 2025 recipients, please read the 2025 press announcement.

manufacturing in Illinois

Fuel Your Manufacturing Growth with Made in Illinois

Illinois manufacturers… your moment is here.

 

The Made in Illinois Grant Program is a game-changing opportunity for small and mid-sized manufacturers to access up to $50,000 in matching funds to support innovation and strategic technological advancements.

 

This initiative is brought to life through a collaboration between the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and IMEC, uniting state resources and hands-on manufacturing expertise. Together, we’re here to strengthen Illinois manufacturing — one company at a time.

What Can You Use the Grant For?

Funding Details

The Made in Illinois Grant Program covers allowable expenditures from July 1, 2024 through May 1, 2025. 

 

Approved examples include the acquisition or leasing of machinery, such as specialized automation equipment or collaborative robotics. Specialized hardware or software, like IIOT, cybersecurity, predictive maintenance are included as well as late-stage product testing and scaling of new products. Also included is the development and commercialization of new products.

 

Awards will be prioritized based on size/geography, business viability, economic potential, and leveraged business impacts. Preference will be given to applicants who did not receive an award in 2024.

"Illinois has long been a leader in manufacturing, and we are excited to continue our partnership with IMEC through the 2025 Made in Illinois program. This initiative provides critical funding to small and mid-sized manufacturers, empowering them to innovate and adapt to evolving market demands. By supporting these companies, we are strengthening our manufacturing sector and driving long-term economic growth for Illinois."
Kristin Richards DCEO Director

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