December 2024

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As 2024 comes to a close, we want to take a moment to celebrate you—the dedicated manufacturers who make Cook County a hub of quality, innovation, and precision. Your hard work and excellence set the standard for our region, and we’re proud to stand beside you in fostering success.

May this holiday season bring joy, prosperity, and well-deserved cheer to you and your team. Here's to another year of strong collaboration and continued growth in 2025!

- M3 Chicago Team

Cook County receives 2024 Chicago Innovation Award

Join us in celebrating a win for manufacturing innovation in Cook County!

Cook County Manufacturing Reinvented was recognized with a 2024 Wintrust Chicago Neighborhood Chicago Innovation Award, marking the first time Cook County has received a Chicago Innovation Award. ​

This year’s winners were announced at a ceremony on November 14 at the University of Illinois-Chicago Forum. The annual Chicago Innovation Awards is the Chicago region’s foremost recognition of the most innovative new products or services brought to market each year. 

Stay Competitive: Join Over 200 Cook County Manufacturers Who Have Already Participated!

Take advantage of Manufacturing Reinvented, a $5 million grant program created in partnership with IMEC, designed to strengthen your business’s competitiveness and resiliency. Eligible manufacturers can receive up to $25,000 in reimbursements for completed projects that drive growth and innovation.

Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your business. Contact Jamie Moore, Program Manager for Industry Development, to learn more and apply today!

Set Your 2025 Workforce Resolutions with Expert Support

Struggling to hire and retain skilled talent? The Cook County Manufacturing Apprenticeship Accelerator, in partnership with Skills for Chicagoland's Future, is here to help.

This innovative program connects manufacturers across Chicago and suburban Cook County with pre-screened candidates ready to fill open roles. Plus, new hires and apprentices receive personalized support during their first 90 days, including career counseling, transportation assistance, work uniforms, and childcare referrals. Ready to build a stronger, more supported workforce? Learn more here.

AI is rapidly advancing, so don't miss out on the conversation! Join this webinar led by IMEC to discover new efficiencies made possible with AI, explore helpful prompts to help amplify your business, and takeaway a free digital toolkit.

Join mHUB for an exclusive opportunity to get your pressing business questions answered directly by representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This interactive session will provide valuable insights into navigating the resources and support available through the SBA.

Join fellow Chicagoland manufacturers for breakfast and fruitful conversation hosted by TMA! This month's featured guest speaker, Mike Weber of MLW Marketing, will discuss strategies on how to begin the new year with a fresh marketing and website presence.

Kick off 2025 with a deep dive into OSHA’s evolving enforcement and rulemaking landscape during this period of political transition. This session hosted by IMA will explore the fate of recent OSHA rules such as the Worker Walkaround Representative and Heat Illness Prevention rules, and the future of enforcement tools.

Calling all manufacturers! Connect with Chicago Southland high school students exploring careers in manufacturing and STEM. Showcase your company, engage with future talent, and inspire the next generation of skilled professionals through roundtable discussions and presentations. Register to participate today!

Join IMA for Part 2 of their cybersecurity series. Explore practical strategies to build a strong cybersecurity culture among your employees. This session will focus on identifying threats targeting your staff, training them to respond effectively, and fostering a supportive, defense-oriented workplace culture.

ICYMI: 2025 Trends and Forecasts from IMA

Have downtime this holiday season between celebrations? Interested in learning about trends and forecasts for the manufacturing sector in 2025? We've collaborated with the Illinois Manufacturers Association (IMA) to provide you with webinar recordings from the 2024 IMA Annual Luncheon breakout sessions, to watch and learn at your convenience. Access the recordings below!

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