M3 Chicago: Metro, Manufacturing, Momentum
Supported by the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, M3 Chicago connects the region’s manufacturing ecosystem. The initiative advances equitable and sustainable development by helping manufacturers expand, collaborate, network, innovate and access critical resources.
M3 Chicago includes a suite of programs aimed at addressing manufacturers' needs, with a focus on:
- Growth and innovation
- Talent solutions
Manufacturing plays a central role in our region’s economy. In fact, the Chicago region remains one of the largest metals manufacturing regions in the nation in terms of both employment and output.
In recent years, Cook County has participated in Makers on the Move, a statewide bus tour hosted by the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center and Illinois Manufacturers' Association that shines a spotlight on the innovation, opportunity and impact of modern manufacturing.
View this video for a glimpse of the 2025 tour, as well as more information on how Cook County supports the manufacturing industry:
Want to receive regular updates on the manufacturing ecosystem in the Chicago region? Sign up for the M3 Chicago monthly newsletter.
Have questions? Email m3@cookcountyil.gov.
Programs assisting manufacturers with growth and innovation
This program has not launched yet. Check back soon for more details.
Cook County-based foundries and forges will soon be invited to apply to Cook County Forging Growth, a comprehensive, peer performance cohort program providing knowledge sharing and access to grant funds.
As part of a six-month cohort led by the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center, participants will share best practices, conduct joint marketing efforts and attend expert-led workshops.
Each participant will also receive a customized roadmap that identifies their unique set of top priorities and solutions.
Participants will be reimbursed 50%, up to $35,000, of their total roadmap and project costs.
Through a mix of strategy and technical support, this program will help companies improve productivity, retain jobs, reduce risk and become better positioned for high-value supply chain opportunities, including defense and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) engagements.
Eligibility requirements
- Manufacturing facility located in Cook County
- A North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code that begins with:
- 3315 (foundries)
- 3321 (forging and stamping companies)
- Priority will be given to companies with 500 employees or less.
How the program is funded
Funding for this program comes from a $5 million grant that the Illinois Defense Manufacturing Consortium (ILDMC), led by the University of Illinois-Chicago, received from the U.S. Department of Defense in 2022. Cook County is part of the ILDMC, which unites stakeholders from industry, community, government and academia to strengthen Illinois’ defense resiliency.
Questions?
For more information, email M3@cookcountyil.gov or call 312-603-2035.
Metals Hub is a Cook County collaborative created in partnership with the Southland Development Authority to help the metals, machinery and equipment (MM&E) industry diversify and grow. Metals Hub members are offered opportunities to bid on RFQs, engage in networking and knowledge sharing forums, and collectively pursue opportunities for supply chain diversification and new market penetration.
NOTE: This program is currently not accepting new applications.
Cook County Manufacturing Reinvented is a $5 million grant program that supports manufacturers countywide in implementing projects to improve their business’ competitiveness as they continue to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.
This program, which launched in August 2022, offers a highly customizable approach to address manufacturers' specific needs related to improving productivity, developing future leaders, training their workforce and growing their business.
Cook County reimburses manufacturers up to $25,000 for expenses associated with the selected project upon completion and verification.
In creating the program, Cook County and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) developed project categories and project examples based on survey responses from over 1,000 local manufacturers asked to identify their priorities and challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The full study can be found here.
Programs assisting manufacturers with talent solutions
The Cook County Career Connector consists of a series of in-person programs and events throughout suburban Cook County that connect residents to quality career-path opportunities and employers to a skilled and diverse talent pool. Manufacturing is among the program's many focal points.
This program is brought to you by Cook County and the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (The Partnership).
The Cook County Manufacturing Apprenticeship Accelerator, through a collaboration with Skills for Chicago, provides manufacturers with a “concierge service” to identify and screen candidates for employment programs that include all the following elements:
- an “earn and learn” model;
- an industry-focused on-the-job training plan or curriculum;
- the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials; and
- a salary increase after completion.
Are you a manufacturer seeking to accelerate talent acquisition?
Are you a job seeker seeking to accelerate a career in manufacturing with opportunities for advancement?
Visit skillsforchicago.org/cook-county/ today!
Good Jobs Chicagoland is an employer-led initiative driving economic resilience and growth in Cook County--with manufacturing among its focal points.
Supported by funding from the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (The Partnership), Cook County partners with the National Institute of Metalworking Skills to consult with manufacturers on their talent needs and help them implement job training and placement programs.
Led by the Families and Workers Fund, a platform for building a more equitable economy, the PCIC Challenge selected the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development to receive a grant that will address workforce gaps in the clean-energy industry. The Bureau will lead an initiative establishing good job standards for Cook County and develop a plan to integrate them into the County’s prioritization of programs and investments.