May 2026

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Join us at Defense Industry Day 2026

M3 Chicago is supporting Defense Industry Day 2026, hosted by IMEC, and we want to see you there.

Whether you're new to the Defense Industrial Base or looking to expand your footprint, this premier event is designed to catalyze collaboration and innovation in the defense manufacturing sector. 

Defense Industry Day offers a unique opportunity for decision makers to connect with like-minded stakeholders to tackle the challenges shaping the U.S. Department of War (DoW) manufacturing sector.

June

16-17

Register today to join!

June 16 is invite only.

June 17, 8 AM - 5 PM

Location: Naperville, IL

Presented By: IMEC

SBA Waives 504 Loan Fees for Manufacturers

The U.S. Small Business Administration is waiving fees for manufacturers (NAICS Sectors 31-33) using the SBA 504 program to access capital for fixed assets. The SBA 504 loan provides a long-term, fixed, below-market rate option for manufacturers to build, buy and refinance commercial real estate and heavy equipment.

To be eligible, the SBA 504 loan must be approved prior to September 30, 2026. Reach out to SomerCor, a Cook County Small Business Source partner and SBA certified development company, to learn more about the financing opportunities for manufacturers with the SBA 504 loan.

Are you ready for CMMC compliance?

Are you a manufacturer interested in exploring defense contracting opportunities?

Join the IL APEX Accelerator at the Southland Development Authority for a virtual training on Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) compliance.

This hands-on session will walk small and mid-sized manufacturers through CMMC requirements, assess cybersecurity readiness and prepare for future DoW compliance obligations. Participants will gain insight into the three CMMC levels, audit readiness and next-step strategies for maintaining eligibility within the defense industrial base. Click here to register at no cost today.

Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago - Make City

The Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago (ICNC) drives economic development on Chicago's Near West Side through industrial space, business mentoring and workforce training.

Make City, one of the nation's oldest and largest manufacturing incubators, houses nearly 100 businesses across apparel, beauty, personal care, textiles and creative services, in addition to offering flexible workspace and business support for local manufacturers. Click here to learn more about Make City.

$5,000 Scholarship for Immigrant Women in Manufacturing

Created in partnership by M&M Quality Grinding and the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, the Mama Susie's Scholarship for Advancing Immigrant Women in Manufacturing honors Mama Susie, who despite great obstacles pursued a lifelong career in manufacturing.

Scholarship details:

• One-time $5,000 scholarship: $4,000 to the recipient’s school and $1,000 directly to the recipient
• Open to Illinois-based female immigrants currently working in manufacturing, enrolled in an Illinois institution of higher education and enrolled in manufacturing-related coursework
• Deadline to apply: June 1, 2026

Click here to learn more and apply today.

What if casting and forging operations could predict defects before they occur, repair tooling in hours instead of weeks and continuously improve with every part produced? This webinar presented by IMEC and the University of Illinois highlights how additive manufacturing and AI are combining to modernize legacy processes, unlock faster lead times and reduce costs.

Join mHUB at this event designed to connect hard tech startups with local manufacturers and suppliers across a broad range of production capabilities.

Interested in participating as a manufacturer? Complete the interest form linked here.

MFG Day is one of the most powerful tools a manufacturer can use to build community connections, shift perceptions and grow a local talent pipeline—but the impact of a single open door can last far beyond a single day. Join the Manufacturing Institute for a candid, peer-driven conversation with seasoned event hosts who have made MFG Day work year after year.

Hosted by PMA Chicago, the Suppliers Expo is designed for manufacturing professionals who value real conversations. It offers a practical, low-pressure way to explore technologies, learn what is available, catch-up with industry peers and build relationships with suppliers who understand your operations and are committed to the growth of the Chicagoland area manufacturing community.

Join IMEC in this webinar exploring how modern material handling automation, ranging from conveyors and robots to AGVs and AMRs, is becoming more practical, flexible, safer and more accessible than ever before. They will discuss common barriers to automating and how to address them with proven solutions as well as emerging technologies, while examining changing standards and trends in the industry.

Join IMA and the Small Manufacturers’ Council, designed exclusively for manufacturers with 150 employees or fewer, as they take a focused look at how manufacturers can significantly reduce training expenses through the Employee Investment Training Program, a state grant that can reimburse up to 50 percent of eligible training costs.

Discover how LYNX, a digital platform developed by the Department of War Office of Industrial Base Growth, helps businesses enter and compete in defense markets. LYNX provides powerful tools to more efficiently and effectively match opportunities aligned to business capabilities and government mission needs. Learn more about LYNX here.

Join the Calumet Area Industrial Commission and the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce at this networking event designed to unite manufacturing business leaders from across the Indiana and Illinois border.

Hosted by the SBA in collaboration with General Motors and the New American Industrial Alliance, this event is your chance to meet domestic corporate partners from companies of all sizes that are looking for suppliers. This unique opportunity will bring together buyers and suppliers looking to strengthen their U.S. supply chains.

Attend North America's largest robotics and automation event, right in Chicago! Automate features the world’s leading automation solutions, from AI and robotics to motion control, vision systems and much more.