“Manufacturing Matters Illinois” Tour Stops at Parkland Community College
CHAMPAIGN – The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) continued its “Manufacturing Matters Illinois” tour on Wednesday with a stop at Parkland Community College to discuss a recent study detailing the integral role manufacturing plays in the Illinois economy.
The analysis found the manufacturing industry in Illinois generates $304.8 billion in output each year, which amounts to 12 percent of the Gross State Product – the single largest contribution by any industry. Statewide, manufacturers directly employ 592,200 women and men. These are good paying, middle-class jobs with an average salary of $88,691, providing a total of $52 billion in wages and benefits across Illinois.
“As the state’s largest economic engine, Illinois manufacturers feed the world, make life-saving products, power our jobs and businesses, build our infrastructure, transport people and products around the globe, and provide for our nation’s defense,” said Mark Denzler, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “Manufacturing makes the world a better place to live every single day and is integral to the story of Illinois and the United States.”
Manufacturing is particularly important in Champaign County, which is home to the 16th largest concentration of manufacturing jobs in Illinois. In all, manufacturing employs more than 11,700 women and men in Champaign County. The industry creates $3.4 billion in economic output locally, accounting for nearly 7 percent of the county’s Gross Domestic Product.
“We’re proud that so many manufacturing companies call Champaign County home. It’s a recognition of our world-class workforce, superb location, and access to transportation,” said Carly McCrory, executive director, Champaign County Economic Development Corporation. “We are dedicated to remaining a wonderful place for businesses to locate and grow.”
The top manufacturing industries in Champaign County are food manufacturing, plastics and rubber manufacturing and transportation equipment manufacturing.
“Manufacturing is the solution to many of the challenges facing our state if the right policies are put into place,” Denzler added. “Our elected leaders should choose policies that will build upon our best-in-class workforce and create a pipeline of qualified workers for the future. Let’s create a better Illinois that is the best place to invest, the best place to innovate, and the best place from which to export.”
The analysis was conducted by the Center for Manufacturing Research in partnership with INFORUM, Interindustry Forecasting at the University of Maryland. For more information, including a full copy of the report, please visit https://ima-net.org/2019economicanalysis/
About the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA)
The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association is the only statewide association dedicated exclusively to advocating, promoting and strengthening the manufacturing sector in Illinois. The IMA is the oldest and largest state manufacturing trade association in the United States, representing nearly 4,000 companies and facilities.
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