Sorensen Announces Funding to Support Illinois Manufacturing
PEORIA, IL – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) is announcing over $5.8 million in federal funding for the Peoria-based Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) to strengthen local manufacturing and create jobs in the region.
“To make our neighborhoods stronger for working families, we need to create good-paying jobs that keep our region strong and sustainable for the next generation. And manufacturing, as the beating heart of our region, is one way to make that happen,” said Sorensen. “I’m excited to announce over $5.8 million for the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center in Peoria to provide resources to small and mid-size manufacturers so they can succeed and create better-paying, local jobs.”
“Illinois is home to an exceptional manufacturing legacy, with District 17 shining as a prime example of its resilience and ingenuity” says David Boulay, PhD, IMEC President. “IMEC, as part of the US Commerce NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership, has a 28-year tradition of helping manufacturers become more innovative, efficient, and competitive. The continued funding for this program, driven by a continued commitment to industry advancement from elected officials like Congressman Sorensen, ensures a bright future for our manufacturers.”
The grant funding was awarded by the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as part of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program. The MEP program is a public-private partnership that allows centers such as IMEC help local small and mid-size manufacturers complete business projects and grow.
According to an IMEC report, support from the MEP program allowed IMEC to help local manufacturers create 300 jobs and retain 1,149 jobs in Illinois’ 17th Congressional District in 2023. This has resulted in nearly $28 million in new sales for companies across the district.
This award is renewed annual funding that represents a portion of a multi-year cooperative agreement between IMEC and NIST.
Congressman Eric Sorensen serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal.
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