On Thursday, June 15th, Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar partnered with Melrose Park’s Chamber of Commerce and Community Development, the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center, and Cook County’s Bureau of Economic Development for a Manufacturing Reinvented seminar and workshop in Melrose Park.  The event, which attracted over 50 organizations, was held to inform 16th District manufacturers about available grants for their businesses and to offer onsite application assistance. These grants are funded through the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center, in partnership with Cook County’s Bureau of Economic Development, to boost operations for manufacturers and businesses over a wide range of subjects.  Interested parties could apply for grants to help with website design, cybersecurity, employee retention and promotion, business marketing, and more. In total, $5 million of grant funding is available to Cook County manufacturers. The event began with a networking session, as representatives from the attending organizations discussed their work, goals, and business needs. After the networking session, a presentation was conducted by the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development and IMEC that gave an overview of the program and the needed qualifications to be eligible to apply.

Photo Credit: The Office of Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar