Cook County Bureau of Economic Development Earns County's First Chicago Innovation Award
(Cook County, IL) — Cook County is proud to announce that the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development has been named a winner in the 23rd annual Chicago Innovation Awards for Cook County Manufacturing Reinvented, a grant program geared toward helping manufacturers improve productivity.
This marks the first time the County has received a Chicago Innovation Award, and this year’s winners were announced at a ceremony on November 14 at the University of Illinois-Chicago Forum. The annual Chicago Innovation Awards is the Chicago region’s foremost recognition of the most innovative new products or services brought to market each year.
The Bureau of Economic Development received a Wintrust Chicago Neighborhood Award.
“We are so grateful that the Bureau has been selected for this prestigious award for its commendable efforts in leading our Manufacturing Reinvented program,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “The manufacturing sector has a tremendous economic impact on the County, and we believe programs like Manufacturing Reinvented lift up this sector even further.”
Cook County Manufacturing Reinvented is a $5 million grant program that supports local manufacturers in implementing projects to improve their business’ competitiveness as they continue to rebound and rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic. This program, which launched in August 2022, offers a highly customizable approach to address specific company needs related to accessing customers and new markets, operational improvements, leadership development, and talent solutions. Cook County reimburses companies up to $25,000 for expenses associated with the selected project upon completion and verification.
Cook County partners with the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) to lead the program, which launched in 2022.
To date, 170 manufacturers have participated in Manufacturing Reinvented, receiving over $2.1 million.
Manufacturing Reinvented is part of M3 Chicago, a Bureau of Economic Development-led initiative that offers many programs supporting the manufacturing sector.
“It’s been an absolute honor to work with the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development. This is truly an innovative team,” said IMEC President David Boulay. “We’re excited to continue this collaboration and support manufacturers throughout Cook County.”
Other 2024 Chicago Innovation Award winners included United Way of Metro Chicago, which teams up with the County and City of Chicago to lead 211 Metro Chicago, a 24/7 helpline that connects residents with resources regarding food, housing, utility payment assistance, health care, employment and more.
United Way received a Collaboration Award.
The 22 award winners spanned a wide range of sectors.
“The Chicago region continues to be a global leader in innovation,” said Tom Kuczmarski, co-founder of the awards with Chicago journalist Dan Miller. “The 2024 winners are solving unmet needs and making a difference in healthcare, finance, the environment, artificial intelligence, education, consumer products, energy, manufacturing, social services, economic development, food and government.”
The winning organizations receive a variety of honors, including the opportunity to ring the Nasdaq Bell in New York City.
President Preckwinkle also meets with winners annually to learn more about how the County can support their projects.
The Cook County Small Business Source, which provides no-cost advising and hosts a variety of informative events for business owners, was also named a top-100 finalist for a Chicago Innovation Award.
“350 organizations were nominated for this year’s awards,” said Luke Tanen, president and CEO of Chicago Innovation. “As a group, these nominees are responsible for generating over $4.2 billion in new revenues and creating nearly 6,000 jobs. The winners represent the best from this very impressive group.”
Chicago Innovation, established in 2002 as the Chicago Innovation Awards, has grown from a single awards ceremony to a year-long series of events and activities with a mission to educate, connect and celebrate all innovators in the Chicago region. The organization’s expansion has included the Chicago Innovation Women’s Mentoring Co-op to support female innovators, the Illinois Student Invention Convention to teach innovation to K-eighth-grade students, Ageless Innovators to combat ageism through intergenerational co-mentorship, The Ladder to support Black and Latine innovators in Chicago, the Climate Change Initiative to support innovators who are combating climate change, and Chicago Innovation Fellows, a leadership development program for innovators at mid to large organizations.
Chicago Innovation is supported by over 50 sponsors, including Diamond Sponsors Accenture, Molex, Lessen and Gold Sponsor Comcast Business.
The complete list of this year’s Chicago Innovation Award winners can be found at chicagoinnovation.com.