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The Chicago Metro Metal Consortium is one of 24 'Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership' (IMCP) designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce. It is an unprecedented collaboration of more than 60 partners, including the seven counties of northeastern Illinois and the City of Chicago.

Why Metals?

The more than 3,700 metal manufacturing firms located in the Chicago metropolitan region employ 100,000 individuals and generate in excess of $30 billion in annual revenues.

The Chicago metropolitan region has a robust economy made up of a broad mix of industries, with the most pronounced concentrations in manufacturing and freight transportation. Manufacturing, in particular, is an area with a significant opportunity for growth. With the highest economic multiplier of any economic activity, manufacturing provides significant benefits to the regional economy in terms of wages, jobs, and output. From developing new products and technologies to exporting consumer goods around the world, manufacturing supports a substantial portion of the workforce while bringing new dollars into the economy.

The Chicago Metro Metal Consortium focuses on three metal sectors: Steel Product Manufacturing, Fabricated Metal Products, and Machinery Manufacturing. Over 3,700 firms in the region employ more than 100,000 individuals -- approximately 1 out of 6 jobs -- and generate more than $30 billion in revenues.

For more information on the region's metal manufacturing sector, please see CMAP's February 2013 Technical Report: ""; RW Ventures' 2013 analysis, "Fabricated Metal Manufacturing"; and "" by ISTC in September 2014.