M3 Chicago: Metro, Manufacturing, Momentum
Supported by the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, M3 Chicago connects the region’s manufacturing ecosystem. The program advances equitable and sustainable development by helping manufacturers expand, collaborate, network, innovate and access critical resources.
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.
M3 Chicago includes a suite of programs aimed at addressing manufacturers' needs, with a focus on:
- Talent solutions
- Innovation
Have questions? Get in touch at M3@cookcountyil.gov.
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Programs addressing manufacturers' talent needs
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 Chicagoland's Future, 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.
If you are a manufacturer seeking to accelerate talent acquisition for such positions, visit skillsforchicagolandsfuture.com/ccmaa and schedule a meeting with a client-services expert.
If you are a job seeker seeking to accelerate a career in manufacturing with opportunities for advancement, visit skillsforchicagolandsfuture.com/ccmaa to learn more and speak with a recruiter.
Good Jobs Chicagoland is an employer-led initiative driving economic resilience and growth in Cook County--with manufacturing among its focal points. Cook County has partnered with the National Institute of Metalworking Skills to consult with manufacturers on their talent needs, supported by funding from the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (The Partnership) to implement job training and placement programs for manufacturers.
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.
Programs assisting manufacturers with growth and innovation
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.
The Illinois Defense Manufacturing Consortium (ILDMC) brings together stakeholders from industry, community, government and academia to strengthen the casting and forging sectors in northeastern Illinois. The ILDMC provides technical advising, networking and access to resources related to workforce development, supply chain management, innovation and cybersecurity awareness, and access to government contracting.
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.