Strengthen illinois' manufacturing and workforce competitiveness by improving productivity, accelerating technology adoption, enhancing operational excellence, and strengthening supply chains to drive…

The National Institute of Standards and Technology awarded a $11.622 million Cooperative Agreement to the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center on March 1, 2026, under the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program (CFDA 11.611) to strengthen Illinois manufacturing and workforce competitiveness through March 28, 2031.

IMEC will serve as Illinois' MEP Center, delivering tailored technical assistance through six integrated solution pillars to small and medium-sized manufacturers statewide. Core activities include leveraging assessments, analytics, education, and applied programs to accelerate adoption of advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, digital tools, cybersecurity, and workforce upskilling. IMEC will convene industry, government, academia, and workforce partners to align resources, reduce fragmentation, and scale impact across manufacturing ecosystems.

IMEC will maintain performance aligned with NIST MEP priorities, tracking client-validated impacts including new and retained sales, cost savings, jobs created and retained, and capital investment. The center will expand market penetration particularly among small, rural, and priority-industry manufacturers while strengthening manufacturing ecosystems, improving career pathways, and increasing deployment of advanced manufacturing technologies.

Four Illinois universities will serve as subrecipients, contributing applied research, faculty expertise, and student engagement to support IMEC's delivery model. Work is performed in Peoria, Illinois, with benefits flowing to Illinois small and medium-sized manufacturers, regional and statewide manufacturing ecosystems, and workforce participants across the state.

Strengthen illinois' manufacturing and workforce competitiveness by improving productivity, accelerating technology adoption, enhancing operational excellence, and strengthening supply chains to drive measurable economic impact for illinois and the nation.key activities: imec will serve as the first-stop resource for SMM competitiveness and resilience, with focused support for manufacturers' growth and modernization. Core activities include:delivering tailored technical assistance through six integrated solution pillars.leveraging assessments, analytics, education, and applied programs statewide to accelerate adoption of technologies, AI and digital tools, cybersecurity, and workforce upskilling.convening industry, government, academia, and workforce partners to align resources, reduce fragmentation, and scale impact for manufacturers.outcomes: imec will maintain a best-in-class MEP center delivering consistent, verifiable outcomes aligned with NIST MEP priorities, including:high performance in client-validated impacts such as new and retained sales, cost savings, jobs created and retained, and investment.expanded market penetration particularly among small, rural, and priority-industry manufacturers.strengthened manufacturing ecosystems, improved career pathways, and increased deployment of advanced manufacturing technologies.exemplary governance, cybersecurity, and financial stewardship. These outcomes directly support national manufacturing competitiveness, supply chain resilience, and workforce readiness.beneficiaries: primary beneficiaries include illinois smms, regional and statewide manufacturing ecosystems, and workforce participants. Manufacturers gain improved productivity and competitiveness; workers gain future-ready skills and career pathways; and communities benefit from sustained growth.subrecipients: four illinois universities will serve as subrecipients, contributing applied research, faculty expertise, and student engagement. University representatives serve as non-voting board members, providing strategic insight and ensuring programmatic alignment.